Buddhism is a cult with approximately 300 million practitioners around the world. The term comes from “Bodhi” which means “to wake up and/or wisdom”. Buddhism in France has more than 5 million followers.
Is Buddhism a religion?
For the more than 1,000,000 practitioners in France, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more akin to a philosophy or a " healthy lifestyle. It is a philosophy because philosophy means, as we all know, “love of wisdom”.
The 14 rules of life according to Buddhism
The Buddhist path can be summarized as follows: • To live an ethical life. • Show care and be attentive to thoughts and actions. • Acquire wisdom and discernment. • Observe and meditate to correct errors and defects, to find the first origin of a Thing. • Meditate on the futility of things to abandon our appetite for property, for wealth. • Acceptance, the first of the rules of life • Think little about yourself and a lot about others • Learn to let go of desire • Avoid giving way to regret • Eliminate complaints and resentment • Do not blindly follow the beliefs of others • Always maintain honor • Love must not be overcome by attachment • Do not be afraid of death
Buddhism, the fourth religion in France
For a century, France has experienced unparalleled religious diversification. As a result, France is the country in Europe with the largest number of Buddhists with 150,000 converts. Buddhism in France has 350 places of worship with pagodas, meditation centers and even spiritual retreats.
History of Buddhism in France
Buddhism, born in India between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. B.C., has constantly spread in the West, particularly in France, for around ten years. DagpoRimpoché, first lama in France created the Buddhist center of Ganden Ling in 1978, officially recognized in 1995 by the French government as a community. Buddhism in France displays an indisputable material reality: Tibetan temples, Vietnamese or Laotian pagodas, pagodas, monasteries, Zen temples, etc.
Buddhism in France today
Buddhism sets out a purpose for life, it describes the injustice and disparity that manifest in this world and proposes a certain "way of life" which leads to true happiness and inner peace. As a result, Buddhism in France responds to various problems in contemporary societies. Of these million followers, two thirds come from Asian countries close to the Theravada current (dominant throughout Southeast Asia) and a third are native French people, half of whom are linked to the Vajrayana movement (Tibetan Buddhism) and the other half to the Mahayana movement (Zen Buddhism). The latter two being more assimilable to Western culture.
The Buddhist Union of France
Buddhism in France is grouped around the Buddhist Union of France (UBF). The UBF, founded in 1986, is a non-profit, apolitical federation. It brings together Buddhist Associations and all Public Authorities. The UBF serves Buddhism in France. To enable it to defend the common rights and interests of all Buddhists in France.
Why is Buddhism gaining more and more followers?
Seduced among other things by the figure of the Dalai Lama with his pacifism and his wisdom, nearly a million French people are now followers of the religion. Prayer rooms must even expand throughout France. According to the Dalai Lama, "Buddhism is above all a response to suffering. It is a philosophy of life which imposes nothing on anyone and does not claim to be the only path to truth." said in this philosophy "if you meet Buddha, kill him" a way of saying not to believe in anyone, not even in what Buddha says. A way of refusing dogma and making your own journey.
The influence of the Dalai Lama and his teachings
The expansion of Buddhism, which is at the same time religion, philosophy and art of living, owes much to the influence of the Dalai Lama, who is an authentic "spiritual hero of our post-industrial era". Buddhism , recognized as being compatible with other revealed faiths, is now at the heart of the construction of a whole new religiosity. Since receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, the exiled leader of the Tibetans has acquired tremendous notoriety in the West and contributed to the constant growth of Buddhism in France.
How is Buddhism, although older than the majority of religions, so modern?
Always His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Westerners have “unbelievably” more practical sense: “We, Buddhists and Tibetans in particular, are a little...we are content to pray, a little of faith. So we learned a lot of things, to be more practical. Westerners in general have a more scientific mind. They are inclined to analysis, to investigation, not just based on blind faith. Its very important. »
Still according to him: “Also in the West, we have spiritual brothers and sisters, like Christian monks and nuns. They are also very practical with great dedication to serving society and helping those in need. I believe that Buddhist monks and nuns should follow the example of their Christian brothers and sisters. »
How to experience Buddhism in France?
Buddhism appears more credible and rational to Westerners. Most Buddhist beliefs are presented as logical solutions differentiating from Christian and Muslim dogmas which often escape understanding. Thus, faced with the question of evil, Christianity refers to the myth of original sin, while Buddhism refers to the law of karma, which appears more plausible and reasonable to Westerners. This is why we can say that Buddhism in France is a real godsend of our civilization which tends to deny the body and emotions.
