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The relevance and applicability of Buddhist practices Buddhism have done a very clever job of adapting to
and teachings have very much shown themselves to new cultural environments. This can be seen in the
me in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. I know that numerous Buddhist groups and communities that are
for me, when we were in strict national lockdowns, increasingly a feature of our religious landscape in
watching the horrifying death toll rise, that attention Britain, but also in the ways that Buddhist-inspired
to our interconnectedness, as well as sending loving- practices (for example, mindfulness) are now a common
kindness to all beings who are suffering has been feature of British public life. Mindfulness is highly
helpful. I think I would have found the pandemic more prevalent in Britain - in schools, hospitals, prisons, and
challenging without a regular meditation practice, even in very popular apps (such as Headspace, where
too, helping me to cope with external stresses and the although the meditation is secular, the links made to
stories that the mind throws at you throughout the day. Buddhist origins are made explicit).

As I show in my book, my participants echo this My current research project (funded by the British
appreciation for Buddhist practice and teaching. Many Sociological Association), looks at how British Buddhist
felt that Buddhism was the perfect antidote to feelings groups and teachers are engaging with the mindfulness/
of anxiety and depression, as well as a concern about secular meditation phenomena and the impact that
the meaning of life (or, the meaningless of life as they this is having on their own popularity. I believe, from
felt at the time). Some of my participants explained the evidence that I have seen so far, that an increasing
to me that they had done all the things they were number of Buddhist groups and teachers in Britain are
supposed to do, as envisioned in our society - they had also offering ‘secular’ meditation classes alongside more
been educated, married, got a good job, nice car, took traditional Buddhist rituals and teachings, and this is
holidays, but then it still didn’t feel like enough, and that allowing them to reach a larger section of the population
something was missing. Part of what was missing was that they might not have been able to reach before.
Buddhist teachings about dukkha, for example, but the
other part that was missing was a community. It was However, although this has been one highly successful
clear that several of my participants felt that in their aspect, more needs to be done to offer inclusive
busy modern lives, they lacked a sense of community teachings and practices at British Buddhist centers.
belonging, and they found this in the Buddhist groups Young people’s needs require greater attention (and, in
they came into contact with. A strong sense of spiritual scholarly terms, Andrew Yip and Sarah-Jane Page wrote
friendship was forged for many in local Buddhist an excellent book in 2017 on this issue), especially
communities, and this was the antidote to their feelings young people with families. It is still not that easy to be
of stress and pressure. However, it was also clear from a parent/carer and attend Buddhist activities in Britain,
my participants that Buddhism also provided something there are fewer ‘family’ retreats and programs that
beyond the rational. Many described feeling karmically there might be in other Western locales. I have rarely
connected to teachers, places, and individuals, and it seen children at Buddhist centers that typically cater
was the spiritual and ritual aspect of Buddhist practice to convert audiences. Being more inclusive of younger
that was (and continues to be) attractive to them. people with families and other responsibilities will
ensure greater accessibility and engagement (akin to
As a sociologist of religion, in what ways would you what Sarah Jacoby has argued here in relation to the
say Buddhism needs to adapt in order to survive in US context). Similar might be said for Buddhist groups
the new millennium among the young and educated in Britain being more attuned to issues of equality and
in society? diversity, and considering race, gender, sexuality, and

considering the best ways to navigate the social mores
In terms of Britain or perhaps the West more broadly, of wider society even when they might conflict with
I actually think that many lineages and traditions of ‘traditional’ teachings. EH