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Engaged Buddhism, or socially engaged Buddhism, is a modern term which seeks to define a variety of primarily nonsectarian efforts that address social problems in society through one's Buddhist practice. It aims to resolve issues regarding environmentalism, human rights and nonviolence. Many proponents argue that "social engagement" has always been the bedrock of Buddhist practice, although the actual term has only become frequently used in the 20th century. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Zen teacher, is credited with having coined the term engaged Buddhism. He did so in order to highlight three tenets: "awareness in daily life; social service; and social activism." According to Nhat Hanh, "If you are awake you cannot do otherwise than act compassionately to help relieve the suffering you see around you. So Buddhism must be engaged in the world. If it is not engaged it is not Buddhism." According to professor Christopher S. Queen, the fundamental characteristics that comprise Nhat Hanh's approach to engaged Buddhism include, "(1) "Buddhism is already engaged Buddhism. If it is not, it is not Buddhism." (2) Insight into interbeing (nonseparate self, emptiness of a separate self) and impermanence is fundamental to engaged Buddhist practice and peacemaking. (3) Socially engaged Buddhist practice includes mindfulness practice, social service, and nonpartisan advocacy to reduce and stop injustice. (4) Engaged Buddhism is the way we live our lives. Peace is not only the absence of war; peace needs to be in each action of our daily life. (5) Teachings and practices must be appropriate for the time and place. (6) We continue to learn, and learn from everything." Robert Baker Aitken has a similar view of engaged Buddhism, stating, "There is no way to Peace, Peace is the Way."

Engaged Buddhists

 * Allan Hunt Badiner
 * Bernard Glassman
 * Bill Devall
 * Diana Winston
 * Jack Kornfield
 * Joanna Macy
 * Marci Thurston Shaine
 * Peter Matthiessen
 * Sulak Sivaraksa
 * Svein Myreng
 * Maha Ghosananda

Organizations

 * Buddhist Peace Fellowship
 * Buddhist Alliance for Social Engagement
 * International Network of Engaged Buddhists
 * Zen Peacemaker Circle
 * Sydney Zen Centre