Buddhist (post-)apocalyptic studies

by Rolf Scheuermann

A Buddhist take on (Post)apocalyptic phenomena, particularly the current climate crisis, was the subject of a talk and a conversation titled “Buddhist (post-)apocalyptic studies – being at home anywhere” (Buddhistische Postapokalypstische Studien – überall zu Hause sein?) by Rolf Scheuermann (CAPAS) and Milena Reinecke (Deutschlandfunk Kultur) on March 7, 2024. The online event was organized by the Deutsche Buddhistische Union (German Buddhist Union, DBU), a national umbrella organisation of German Buddhist associations which comprises more than 60 member organizations. The talk was organised in the framework of DBU’s educational program bhavana, and was attended by 30 participants with diverse backgrounds. 

After a short welcome and introductions by Hanna Ebinger, Co-Coordinator of the DBU study program and Milena Reinecke, Rolf Scheuermann started with a brief presentation. First, the subject of (Post-)Apocalyptic Studies was introduced alongside related Buddhist Eschatological narratives. The central part of the talk then centred on Buddhist approaches to dealing with the current climate crisis. From a traditional Buddhist perspective, the end of the world is not an unimaginable catastrophic anomaly but is cosmically seen as a relatively normal and natural process. In this sense, it is comparable to the death of an individual, and the fear of a climate apocalypse may resound with the fear of one's own future death. Buddhist guidance for preparing for or dealing with death is of interest in this respect. The roles of the individual and concepts of hope were further discussed in the context of actions aimed at addressing climate change. Since apocalyptic events may lead to new circumstances, the presentation’s final part focused on utopian visions, associated Buddhist practices, and the significance of the Buddhist middle way approach in the context of climate change and transformation.

Milena Reinecke skilfully led the subsequent exchange with in-depth follow-up questions inspired by the lively Zoom chat. Overall, it became clear that there is a potential tension between a more traditionally oriented Buddhist approach and a modern eco-Buddhist one. While eco-Buddhist movements often heavily focus on the world, i.e., saving the world, Buddhism fundamentally aims for liberation from an ever-changing life world (Lebenswelt) characterized by various forms of suffering. The entire program will soon be published on the DBU’s YouTube channel.