Transnationalizing Buddhist philanthropic culture in the Asian context

Abstract

Along with globalization, there is a resurgence of various types of religion and religious activities across the ethno-political boundary. Within the global religious supermarkets, religious events, fairs, rituals, liturgy have been bought and sold according to both local and global demands. One increasing important item is religious philanthropy that are being 'sold' from the more developed Asian societies such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan to the developed Western societies and the developing Asian societies. This paper will explore the effects of transnationalizing Buddhist philanthropic culture on the local and receiving societies.