ASIAN PENTECOSTALISM AND ENGAGED BUDDHISM

CONVERGING TRAJECTORIES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE WORLD CHRISTIANITY SCENARIO

Abstract

This article investigates the intricate relationships between Asian Pentecostalism and Engaged Buddhism in the pursuit of social justice, grounded in World Christianity studies. Acknowledging the Global South's prominence in the contemporary religious landscape and Asia's challenge of reconciling profound religiosity with structural poverty, this work examines how Pentecostal soteriology—with its charismatic and experiential nuances—can contribute to interreligious dialogue. The objective is to unveil the inherent synergies and tensions within Pentecostal social and soteriological praxis, aiming to build bridges for an enriching collaboration with Engaged Buddhism. The qualitative methodology employs a thematic and comparative analysis of specialized literature, utilizing critical and constructive hermeneutics. The working hypothesis is that Asian Pentecostal soteriology, by incorporating the supernatural and the material as expressions of divine justice for the marginalized (minjung and dalits), functions as a contextualized Christian upāya (skillful means). This charismatic upāya, by fostering solidarity and the mitigation of suffering (dukkha), aligns with the Buddhist ethics of compassion (karuna) and non-attachment. Pragmatic collaboration in social diapraxis transcends theological differences, legitimizing both movements as transformative agents.