Traditional Buddhism is rooted in the teachings of Gotama, known as the “dharma,” who lived in India in the 5^th century BCE and is referred to as the Buddha.

Secular Buddhism lets go of traditional beliefs in rebirth, transcendental truths and rites and rituals.

Our experience of the world is that life is in constant flux, impermanent and uncertain; it is imbued with the pain of suffering and discontent; and it unfolds in interrelationship with multiple bio-physical, social,

and environmental causes, conditions and contingencies.

Secular Buddhism embraces this life on earth with all its uncertainty and not-knowing, and it views the dharma as an ethical way of life to minimize harm and act for the better.

The dharma offers a way of life that integrates study, contemplation, and action.

We investigate the mind, question and explore our experience, open to our encounters with ourselves, others, and the surroundings, and awaken from moment to moment.

We embrace life, acknowledge our habitual reactivity, see it pass and the space that opens in its wake, and we find creative ways to act in response to the call of circumstances.

We cultivate mindfulness, collectedness, discernment, imagination, courage, generosity, and non-violence.

We cultivate qualities of the heart – kind care, compassion, appreciation, and equanimity.

Gotama's last words were: "Be an island unto yourself. Tread the path with care." So, we cultivate personal autonomous agency and freedom of choice, together with care and responsibility towards others and the

environment.

We regard all human lives as of equal value, without discrimination. We aspire to liberty, equality, social justice, and human rights for all.

We engage with communities of like-minded friends to address social, economic, political, and cultural issues from the local to the global, in the spirit of the dharma.

The path of the dharma is a lifelong ethical project of care, compassion, and wisdom so as to live in peace and harmony in this world.

The goal of a secular dharma is the survival and flourishing of all sentient life on earth.

Written by Carmel Shalev, March 2026