The minor Buddhism and Mindfulness in Context explores Buddhism, mindfulness, yoga, and contemporary spirituality in a global context. It is designed for students from different disciplinary backgrounds who want to understand why Asian religious traditions and spiritual practices have become so visible in modern society.
Students are introduced to Buddhist history, ideas, practices, texts, and communities, while also examining how Buddhism continues to change through migration, globalization, psychology, media, and social change. Concrete examples, such as contemporary Chinese Buddhism and a temple visit in the Netherlands, help students understand how Buddhist traditions are lived, adapted, and reimagined in everyday life.
The minor gives special attention to the contemporary popularity of spirituality. Students critically examine mindfulness, yoga, leadership, business, media, and new forms of spirituality within and beyond religious frameworks, asking how these practices are connected to Asian traditions and why they matter today.