Involvement of the Buddhist Society in Various Social Activities and Social Integration

Abstract

According to conventional knowledge, Buddhist practice increases empathy and mutual understanding. To verify this hypothesis, we compared the levels of participation in and integration into different social activities of practicing Buddhists and non-Buddhists in Taiwan. Social activities, presence in the community, and membership in clubs, societies, and non-governmental organizations. This indicates that religious affiliation affects how people portray themselves in their work and how they see themselves in relation to others.