METTĀVERSES

RESEARCH

BACKGROUND

The METTĀVERSES project aims to promote the Humanistic Buddhist values of Loving Kindness and Compassion as a solution to increasing social isolation and "atomization" through a website that acts as a hub for information, resources, events, and community building.

STRATEGY

A comprehensive literature review was completed for the project as well as a feasibility study with ethics approval. The feasibility study  involved an online survey about the precise form that MettāVerses should take. Results from the survey showed that the preferred form for MettāVerses was a website supplemented by some live online events.

OTHER RESEARCH

The Humanistic Buddhism Centre (HBC) at Nan Tien Institute (NTI) is at the forefront of research into Humanistic Buddhism in Australia, fostering collaborations with global partners and volunteers. Among its key initiatives is the Buddhism in Australia Research Project, a pioneering, multi-institutional study tracing Buddhism's presence in Australia from the 19th century to the present. This comprehensive project employs interviews, cultural heritage case studies, and the first large-scale survey of Buddhists in Australia to explore practices, social engagement, and migration patterns. Its objectives include documenting Buddhist history and understanding factors affecting belonging, wellbeing, and social engagement within Buddhist communities.

Another significant endeavour is the Buddhism in the Sea of Islands Project, which examines Buddhism in Pacific contexts, focusing on the transnational flow and counterflow of Buddhism and interactions between immigrants and indigenous peoples in both historical and contemporary societies. This project brings together an international, multidisciplinary group of researchers to explore the diverse expressions of Buddhism across the Pacific region.

These research projects and others conducted by HBC underscore the centre's commitment to advancing the understanding of Humanistic Buddhism and its relevance in contemporary society. Through such initiatives, HBC contributes to the broader discourse on Buddhism's role in promoting social cohesion, cultural exchange, and spiritual development in Australia and the Pacific.