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Contribution of Buddhism and Postmodernism to Society : 121
recognize the competitive universe of co-players. Postmodernism also denies transcendence of norms. All norms are relative and rational. The ideas of norms vary from place to place and people to people. This relative position of norms, according to postmodernists is true to their own view as well. This is called differentiation theory. Amidst the puzzling discussion on the nature of postmodernity James Beckford has provided a succinct characterization of post modernity that is useful for society.
It shot, it can be concluded that :
1. Buddhism and postmodernism have greater acceptance of
casteless pluralistic society 2. Both affirm the marginalized excluded society 3. Both accept that the man is the lord of himself and the
builds himself up and his society 4. Both agree about the rational scientific outlook 5. Both accept the interdependency of human being and deny
eternal-facts
6. Both accept theory of differentiation.
Both with optimistic and progressive vision are implacable, for materialism, secularism and scientific rationalistic society.
The questions arises why both the above paradigms are not effective. Further why the committed people devoted to these ideologies are not in the main stream, i.e. they are lying on the periphery of society, it is a fact that they are not adopted by the people in their lives yet, they accord appreciation for and reorganization to these ideas. References:
1. Hardy, R. Spence, 'A Manual of Buddhism', New Delhi,
1996.
2. Omvedt, Gail : Buddhism in India : Challenging
Brahmanism and Caste, Sage publication.
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