DOCSLIB.ORG

Finding Safe Harbor: Buddhist Sexual Ethics in America, Buddhist Christian Studies, 24

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Finding Safe Harbor: Buddhist Sexual Ethics in America, Buddhist Christian Studies, 24 Kaza, Stephanie. 2004. Finding Safe Harbor: Buddhist Sexual Ethics in America, Buddhist Christian Studies, 24. BUDDHIST AND CHRIS'IIAN VIL,\flSOF SE,X FindingSafe Harbor: BuddhistSexual Ethicsin America StephanieKaza (lniuersityofWrmont When the Buddha left home in searchof spiritual understanding,he left behind his wife and presumably the pleasuresof sex. After his er.rlightenment,he encouraged othersto do the same: renounce the world of the sensesto seekliber:rtion from suf- fering.The monks and nuns thar fbllowed the Buddha's reachingsf<>rrnecl . kind of sexlesssociety, a society thnt did not rcproduce itselfbiologicaily.r By abstainingfron.r sexualrelations, Buddhist monirstics intended to reduce attachment :rncl model ar-r alternativeto lay life. Buddhist societywould conrinr"revia transmissionof the tcircl.r- ings,a spiritualform ofcontinuity noc depcndenton sex. But of course,the Buddha was teachingordi'ary peoplewith ordinary appetires for sexualconracr. And rheseappetites could really get i' the way ofspiritt,"i prog- ress;thus we 6nd no shorrageof Buddhist colnmenrary on scxuality ar-rclirs rami6- cations.And despire2,500 yearsof wisdom on this subject,Buddhist reachersancl studentsare still blundering into sexualconracrs rhat underrninetheir owr-rprogress and ofte' the progressof othcrs. clc.rly rhis is not a hur.nanfallibility that can be correctedby setting up some sin-rplelules. In fact, sexuality is one of the most deeply hard-wiredneurological drives of thc human organism, not e.sily uprooted even for lofty spiritual ideals. From a Buddhist perspectivc,working with sexuality is working with artachmer.rt. How can we unclerstandthat amachmentin its biological origins? In A Natura/ His- toryof Sex,Adrian Forsyth describcsir.r vivid dctail the ecology and evolution of mat- ing behaviorin the animal kingdom.r ln sixteenchapters rhar c.ver every biological strategyyou can imagine-from incest ro role reversal,infanticide ro sex chalgg- the author shows how costly sex c:rn be to individual organisms.Though ,., i. ,ur the only means of reproduction, ir certainly involves the most con-rplcxbehavi.rs, anatomicalvariations, social choices,and ir-ra few cases,the risk of death. \what can possiblymerit such a grear invesrmcnt in momentary pleasure (if indeed it is plea- surablefor some animals)?The evolutionary answeris, ger.reticallyvariable offspr.ilg. variation is the key to surviving calamity as a species.If all animals of a specieswcre geneticallyidentical, they wouid be terribly vulnerable to single eventsthat exploited their weakr-resscs.But with variation, there is alwaysa chancethat some will makc it []uddhisrChritiau5rudirc )4 (200,1).o bv L.r.ircrsitvof I {erviri'il)rcss. All rightsrc.crvecl r 24 STEPHANIE KAZA through ar-rdgo on to survive the new conditions (post-earthquake,fire, icestorm, Pl:rgue,€ tc.J. Scen From the long vicw ofevolution, sexualityis the kcy to survival ofthc specres. So it is not sr,rrprisingthirt sexualcondirioning affectsthe enrirehuman brain, a fact well known to human adolescents.'Ibsee how n-ruchcor-rditioning must be acldressed by Buddhist practic€,we can look briefly :rt the neuralmap oFrhe human brain.The part of the cortex that responds to touch is wrappecl around the ccrcbrun-r,with specific areasrcgistering touch in the diflerent parts ofrhe body. The area taken up by the ger.ritalsis about as largc as rhe resr of rhc chest, abdomcn, and back pur together. It is equivalent to the area used for the hands or the lips, rwo parts of thc body where touch is crucial fbr finding and mar.raginefood. Rita Cartcr, in Mappirtg the Mind, points out thirt "connections fror-n the scx-sniffing, sex-scckingand sex- r€active areasof the limbic systemsradiirte to almost every corner of every cortical lobe, feeding the urge to our consciousminds."J Sexuirlactivity involvesnot only touch arrd high-level visual recognirion but alsocmotion, thought, and, in the fronrirl lobes,rnorality-some of our most sophisticaredand abstractthought processes. It is clearthat sexualitypresenrs no small chirllengeto religiouspracrice . How has Buddhism attempted to work with this deep biological condirioning?T'he ccnrrirl guidelines for Buddhist ethics c:rn be found in thc five foundational precepts.Prac- ticing the preccpts is seenas a way ro reduce suffcring and to deepcn one's cepacity fbr achieving enlightenment. The first rwo preceprsdeal with not killing ancl not stealing,che third preceprdeals with not engagingin sexualmisconduct, the fourth is not lying, and the fifth is rrot using ir.rtoxicants.'fheoriginirl languagefor rhe third PrecePtin the Pali texrsis kamesu,or wrongful conduct with regard to the five sense organs.4Sexual rnisconduct is seenas a parricularlydamaging fbrm of sensualabuse since sexual activity c:rn generate so much suffering. Thc Buddha is said ro have admonishedhis foilowersto avoid unchastity"as if it werea pit of buming cinders."5 'fhis is some indication the Buddha recognizcdhow powerftrl the sexdrive is in fbrm- ir-rgattachment. In contrast to thc absolutemorality cxpressedin somc Christian traditions, where sexuality may be seen as a sin ag:rinstGod, the basis for Buddhist ch:rstity is morc instrumental,alnost pragmatic.(ietting tangledup in sexmakes it much harder to be freeof attachmentand attain enlighrenmer-rt.'lwosynonyms for nirvanapoinr to this: uiraga means "absenceof lust" tnd tanhrtkhayameans "wanirrg oF craving."r' The enlightened person is one who is free from craving or desire.The Second Noble 'lo Tiuth points to desire as th€ causeof suffering. be frce of desire is to be free of sufFering.Craving or desire is seenas driving the twelve links of coclependenrong- ination. Desire arisesfrom feelings generatedfrom sensation through conracr (and sexual contact is very strong conract). Quite quickly, in a single momenr, cravrng can lead to attachment to the fcelings (positive or negarive) generated by cor-rtact. Attachment generatesconsciousncss, which leads to further stagesof becoming. A lot of attachmenr keeps one firmly in the grip of the endlesscycle of desire. Thc Buddha adr.isedhis Followersto avoid sexualconract in order to rcduce the prin of attachment and thus attair.rtheir spiritual goalswith lessdistraction. BUDDHIS]' SEXUAI,.ETHICS IN AMERICA 25 Vhat, in particular, is rhe nature of attachment formed through sexualactivity? The Buddhist ethicist Saddhatissapoints to the danger of lusting after permanence through procreation.T The Buddhist view of the world, however, is that everything is impermanent. Understanding this is key to developing equanimity in the fice of an ever-changingreality. Sexualactivity can also dispel loneliness,reinforcing a false senseof the "I" as permanent.Anorher dangeris attachmentro powerwithin a sex- ual relationship. This kind olr lust aiso builds the ego sell using various degreesof domination to maintain self idenrity. For some, attachment can arisefrom addiction to stimulatiorrand arousal,the necd for consrantsensarion. The Buddha used the metaphor of the leper who tried ro cure his wounds by burning thern. Applying fire provided some relief but soon the sorcs festeredfrom the burns and begar.ritching again.Thc Buddha offersa more effectivccure brought by a great physician, the med- icine of the Dharma, which car.rcure the leper forever of the addicrive craving.s Sexual activity is sccn as rhe srrongest bond ro earrhly existcnce.The Buddha comparedit to the stickiestkind of tree sap. Oncc stuck in this sap, like Br'er Rabbit in the briar patch, it is very difficult to get free. The monasric solution was ro prac- tice celibacy.The requirement of celibacy is in Fnctusually central to the definition of mor-rasticpracticc. But what about lay practitioners, family men-rbers,and ordinary men and women still bound by their evolutionary inheritar.rce? The third preccpr irr leastprovided some limits on human behirvior that could minimize their suffcring. SEX, 1]UDDHISM, MODERN AMERICA Vhen the mosr recenr wave of Buddhism came ro rhe \Xlesr,this sticky rree s:rpwas a conspicuouspart ofthe sociallandscape ofthe 1960s.Beats, hippies, and lovechil- drenwere all breakingout of the "sexis sin" erirof the 1950s.California Buddhists were surrounded by the free-sexrevolution; it wirs pretty hard to ignore. Con-rpli- catingthis wasthe confusingfact thirtJapanescpriests were nor celibate.In the nine- teenth centurv at the er-rdof thc Tokugawa cra, all Buddhist secrswe re rcmoved from governrnentcontrol and releasedfrom legal resrraintson marryir-rg.In firct, the gov- ernment encouragedpricsts to marry ir-ri.rn :lrrcnrpr to break up tht: power of Bud- dhism. Jap:rneseBuddhists no longer hcld to celibacyas a de{ining pracrice.How did this cor-rftrsiontranslate to lay Ar-nericanstrying to figure out what Zen was?Bud- dhist poet Clirry Snyder observed,"'I'he questions of marriage, family, and sexuality have never been resolved.Not by the J:rpanese,ar-rd less so by the Americans. They 'I'hey just overlook thern. don't kr.rowwhar elseto do with them."') In the effbrt to establishZen in America, the side sroriesabout sexuality arc nor so pretty. Lct me iilustratewith a personalnote. My own practice exper.iencewith the SanFrancisco Zen Center in the 1980swas enrirely marked by the shadow of a major sexualscrndal ir.rvolvingrhe abbot Richard llaker. After a phenomenal growth period in which Zen Center dcveloped threc practice cenrers,bought numerous buildings, and establishedseveral major businesses-puming Zen Buddhism stror.rglyon rhe map in,{1nsri61-1h6
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Print This Article
    Journal of Global Buddhism Vol. 18 (2017): 112–128 Special Focus: Buddhists and the Making of Modern Chinese Societies Buddhism and Global Secularisms David L. McMahan, Franklin and Marshall College Abstract: Buddhism in the modern world offers an example of (1) the porousness of the boundary between the secular and religious; (2) the diversity, fluidity, and constructedness of the very categories of religious and secular, since they appear in different ways among different Buddhist cultures in divergent national contexts; and (3) the way these categories nevertheless have very real-world effects and become drivers of substantial change in belief and practice. Drawing on a few examples of Buddhism in various geographical and political settings, I hope to take a few modest steps toward illuminating some broad contours of the interlacing of secularism and Buddhism. In doing so, I am synthesizing some of my own and a few others’ research on modern Buddhism, integrating it with some current research I am doing on meditation, and considering its implications for thinking about secularism. This, I hope, will provide a background against which we can consider more closely some particular features of Buddhism in the Chinese cultural world, about which I will offer some preliminary thoughts. Keywords: secularism; modern Buddhism; meditation; mindfulness; vipassanā The Religious-Secular Binary he wave of scholarship on secularism that has arisen in recent decades paints a more nuanced picture than the reigning model throughout most of the twentieth century. For most of the twentieth century, social theorists adhered Tto a linear narrative of secularism as a global process of religion waning and becoming less relevant to public life.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism and Its Relation to Women and Prostitution in Thai Society Sandra Avila Florida International University
    Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 3-26-2008 Buddhism and its relation to women and prostitution in Thai society Sandra Avila Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Avila, Sandra, "Buddhism and its relation to women and prostitution in Thai society" (2008). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1343. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1343 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida BUDDHISM AND ITS RELATION TO WOMEN AND PROSTITUTION IN THAI SOCIETY A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in RELIGIOUS STUDIES by Sandra Avila 2008 To: Dean Kenneth Furton College of Arts and Sciences This thesis, written by Sandra Avila, and entitled Buddhism and its Relation to Women and Prostitution in Thai Society, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this thesis and recommend that it be approved. Christin(Qludorf Nathan Katz Steven Heine, Major Professor Date of Defense: March 26, 2008 The thesis of Sandra Avila is approved. Dean Kenneth Furton College of Arts and Sciences Dean George Walker University Graduate School Florida International University, 2008 iH DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis first and foremost, to my parents, because if it wasn't for their unconditional love and encouragement I would not be where I am today.
    [Show full text]
  • Bridging Worlds: Buddhist Women's Voices Across Generations
    BRIDGING WORLDS Buddhist Women’s Voices Across Generations EDITED BY Karma Lekshe Tsomo First Edition: Yuan Chuan Press 2004 Second Edition: Sakyadhita 2018 Copyright © 2018 Karma Lekshe Tsomo All rights reserved No part of this book may not be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by any information storage or retreival system, without the prior written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations. Cover Illustration, "Woman on Bridge" © 1982 Shig Hiu Wan. All rights reserved. "Buddha" calligraphy ©1978 Il Ta Sunim. All rights reserved. Chapter Illustrations © 2012 Dr. Helen H. Hu. All rights reserved. Book design and layout by Lillian Barnes Bridging Worlds Buddhist Women’s Voices Across Generations EDITED BY Karma Lekshe Tsomo 7th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women With a Message from His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama SAKYADHITA | HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I iv | Bridging Worlds Contents | v CONTENTS MESSAGE His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii INTRODUCTION 1 Karma Lekshe Tsomo UNDERSTANDING BUDDHIST WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD Thus Have I Heard: The Emerging Female Voice in Buddhism Tenzin Palmo 21 Sakyadhita: Empowering the Daughters of the Buddha Thea Mohr 27 Buddhist Women of Bhutan Tenzin Dadon (Sonam Wangmo) 43 Buddhist Laywomen of Nepal Nivedita Kumari Mishra 45 Himalayan Buddhist Nuns Pacha Lobzang Chhodon 59 Great Women Practitioners of Buddhadharma: Inspiration in Modern Times Sherab Sangmo 63 Buddhist Nuns of Vietnam Thich Nu Dien Van Hue 67 A Survey of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha in Vietnam Thich Nu Dong Anh (Nguyen Thi Kim Loan) 71 Nuns of the Mendicant Tradition in Vietnam Thich Nu Tri Lien (Nguyen Thi Tuyet) 77 vi | Bridging Worlds UNDERSTANDING BUDDHIST WOMEN OF TAIWAN Buddhist Women in Taiwan Chuandao Shih 85 A Perspective on Buddhist Women in Taiwan Yikong Shi 91 The Inspiration ofVen.
    [Show full text]
  • Revivals of Ancient Religious Traditions in Modern India: Sāṃkhyayoga And
    Revivals of ancient religious traditions in modern India: S khyayoga and Buddhism āṃ KNUT A. JACOBSEN University of Bergen Abstract The article compares the early stages of the revivals of S khyayoga and Buddhism in modern India. A similarity of S khyayoga and Buddhism was that both had disappeared from India andāṃ were re- vived in the modern period, partly based on Orientalistāṃ discoveries and writings and on the availability of printed books and publishers. Printed books provided knowledge of ancient traditions and made re-establishment possible and printed books provided a vehicle for promoting the new teachings. The article argues that absence of com- munities in India identified with these traditions at the time meant that these traditions were available as identities to be claimed. Keywords: Sāṃkhya, Yoga, Hariharānanda Āraṇya, Navayana Buddhism, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar In the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries both S khyayoga and Indian Buddhism were revived in India. In this paper I compare and contrast these revivals, and suggest why they happened. S khyayogaāṃ and Buddhism had mainly disappeared as living traditions from the central parts of India before the modern period and their absence openedāṃ them to the claims of various groups. The only living S khyayoga monastic tradition in India based on the Pātañjalayogaśāstra, the K pil Ma h tradition founded by Harihar nanda ya (1869–1947), wasāṃ a late nineteenth-century re-establishment (Jacob- sen 2018). There were no monasticā ṭ institutions of S khyayoga saṃānyāsins basedĀraṇ on the Pātañjalayogaśāstra in India in 1892, when ya became a saṃnyāsin, and his encounter with the teachingāṃ of S mkhyayoga was primarily through a textual tradition (Jacobsen 2018).
    [Show full text]
  • Building Buddhism in England: the Flourishing of a Minority Faith Heritage
    This is a repository copy of Building Buddhism in England: The Flourishing of a Minority Faith Heritage. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/103739/ Version: Accepted Version Article: Starkey, C orcid.org/0000-0002-7807-6617 and Tomalin, E orcid.org/0000-0001-7722-1192 (2016) Building Buddhism in England: The Flourishing of a Minority Faith Heritage. Contemporary Buddhism, 17 (2). pp. 326-356. ISSN 1463-9947 https://doi.org/10.1080/14639947.2016.1228330 © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Contemporary Buddhism on 26th September 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14639947.2016.1228330 Reuse Unless indicated otherwise, fulltext items are protected by copyright with all rights reserved. The copyright exception in section 29 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 allows the making of a single copy solely for the purpose of non-commercial research or private study within the limits of fair dealing. The publisher or other rights-holder may allow further reproduction and re-use of this version - refer to the White Rose Research Online record for this item. Where records identify the publisher as the copyright holder, users can verify any specific terms of use on the publisher’s website. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request.
    [Show full text]
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Socially Engaged Buddhism Introduction
    Post Graduate Diploma in Socially Engaged Buddhism Introduction: Buddhism was born in India. Buddha was the first universal teacher of humanity whose Dhamma spread all over the world. He was also the first and foremost social and religious critic, reformer and free thinker who advocated rationality and humanity. The Buddha told his followers to move around the world and spread the message of Dhamma for happiness and wellbeing of the people. As a result Buddhism was spread in many countries in Asia. Though Buddhism withered away from India after 10th century, in 1956 it was revived on large scale under the leadership of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. In 20th century Buddhism was also appreciated in other countries due to its rational appeal and the message of love and compassion. Buddhist principles and practices were applied for seeking solution of many social and political issues. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Master used Buddhist principles to find a middle way between Capitalism and Communism. He coined the expression “Engaged Buddhism” and explained its implications. It can be said that Buddhism itself has socially engaged aspects, which have been highlighted and extended by Buddhist thinkers and leaders in recent times to render Buddhism more relevant and fruitful. The post-graduate diploma course in Engaged Buddhism aims at introducing socially engaged character and role of Buddhism in its different dimensions. Objectives: 1. To learn and understand socially relevant teachings of the Buddha through selected readings from Buddhist texts 2. To learn theoretical foundation, history and models of Socially Engaged Buddhism 3. To help students apply Buddhist principles to solve social problems Course Outline The course is supposed to be completed in two semesters.
    [Show full text]
  • Special Rapporteur's Compilation of Articles on Freedom of Religion Or
    Special Rapporteur’s Compilation of Articles on Freedom of September religion or belief 2017 and Sexuality [The articles in this compilation are contributed by various authors who participated in the Conference on Freedom of religion or belief and Sexuality organized in June 2016. The compilation illustrates different perspectives of the intersection of freedom of religion or belief and sexuality.] Table of Content Introductory Remarks………………………………………………………………………… 3 Towards a Holistic Human Rights Approach: Religious Freedom and Respect for Sexual Diversity by Heiner Bielefeldt……………………………….. 6 Clashing rights? Freedom of Religion or Belief and Equality for LGBT People by Erica Howard………………………………………………………………......... 18 The rise of Rainbow Dharma: Buddhism on sexual diversity and same-sex marriage by Michael Vermeulen……………………………………………………… 27 Towards a Dialogue between Muslims and LGBTI people: pathways and pitfalls by Momin Rahman…………………………………………………………………. 43 Discrimination of sexual minorities: A case of teaching and practices of the Catholic Church by Krzysztof Charamsa…………………………………………….. 55 The Ground We Share: Values, Religion and Sexualities by Mark Barwick……………………………………………………………………………………………… 68 Reproduction, adaptations, modifications, translations and/or commercial use of Special Rapporteur’s Compilation of Articles on Freedom of religion or belief and Sexuality are strictly prohibited, without prior permission from the authors. Disclaimer: The views of authors used in this compilation do not necessarily reflect those of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. 2 The rise of Rainbow Dharma: Buddhism on sexual diversity and same-sex marriage Michael Vermeulen1 1. From Pride to Enlightenment? Can you take part in Gay Pride as well as Buddhist meditation? In other words: is being queer2 a road-block on the spiritual journey towards Enlightenment? Or is it a highway? Or does it not matter? Many people - Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike - believe Buddhism is very accepting of diversity, including sexual diversity.
    [Show full text]
  • SACRE Reading List [Items in Bold Are Recommended Foundation for Subsequent Key Stages, I.E
    The Buddhist Society, Founded 1924, 58 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PH ​ ​ Buddhism SACRE Reading List [Items in bold are recommended foundation for subsequent key stages, i.e. it would not be advisable for Key Stage 5 students to study the listed texts without the foundation provided by at least some of the texts in bold in key stage 3 & 4] Early Years Foundation Stage (up to 5 years old) Where’s Buddha by Marisa Aragon Ware EYFS + Key Stage 1 (up to 7 years old) The Seed of Compassion by The Dalai Lama A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat Hanh Little Sid by Ian Lendler Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha by Deborah Hopkinson Buddhism for Kids: 40 Activities, Meditations, and Stories for Everyday Calm, Happiness, and Awareness by Emily Griffith Burke Dharma Family Treasures: Sharing Mindfulness with Children - A collection of Essays on sharing Dharma with Children edited by Sandy Eastoak Secular Meditation and Mindfulness for EYFS + KS1 Meditation Is an Open Sky: Mindfulness for Kids Book by Whitney Stewart Meditation for Kids: 40 Activities to Manage Emotions, Ease Anxiety, and Stay Focused by Tejal V. Patel Key Stage 2: Years 3 to 6 (7-11 years old) A Pebble for Your Pocket – Thich Nhat Hanh Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha - Jonathan Landaw When the Buddha Was an Elephant: 32 Animal Wisdom Tales from Jataka – Mark McGinnis Website: https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org Phone: 020 7834 5858 Email: [email protected] ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 1 The Buddhist Society, Founded 1924, 58 Eccleston Square,
    [Show full text]
  • Dharma and Darwin
    Dharma and Darwin Introduction My talk today follows in the tracks of fellow sangha members who’ve given us presentations on the convergence of scientific inquiry and the insights of traditional Buddhist precepts in the area of neurobiology and brain science. I want to explore the ways the theory of evolution that has provided a framework for all biological research during the last 150 years illuminates and is illuminated by my experience of meditation and my rudimentary understanding of Buddhist doctrine. My interest in this topic has two origins. Eighteen years ago, while I was working on a book on the relationship between Shakespeare and the Bible, I noticed in passing that Shakespeare’s last complete and most mysterious play, The Tempest, could make sense when juxtaposed with the Book of Genesis. Both of them told a story roughly resembling that of Darwin’s theory of evolution. Ten years later, I came across a new academic specialty known as Darwinian literary criticism. That goaded me to take up my earlier inquiry, which issued in an essay I called “Genes in Genesis.” In it, I argued that the Creator God of the Hebrew Bible personified Darwin’s principle of natural selection. Once I started attending this Sangha and got exposed to Buddhist teachings, I found that they too reverberated with what I’d absorbed about evolution. A second stimulus came last Spring when I was helping my grandson prepare for his seventh grade science tests on cell biology. I learned for the first time about the molecular processes of replication and protein synthesis that humans share with one-celled organisms that came into existence 500 million years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • Revival of Buddhism in India 9
    7. Contribution of Social Reformers/ Activists One Week National Workshop contribution to Revival of Buddhism in Modern on India Chief Patron 8. Impact of Buddhism on Modern India Dr. B. Janardhan Reddy Revival of Buddhism in India 9. Writings on Buddhist Philosophy in Modern Vice-Chancellor I/C, Kakatiya University India th th 12 March – 18 March 2020 10. Contemporary Relevance of Buddhism in India We request the interested Students, Re- Patron Sponsored by search Scholars, Teachers, Social Activists and Prof. K. Purushotham NGOs to participate in the Workshop with Papers Registrar, Kakatiya University on the above sub-themes or the general theme of the Workshop. The list of Sub-themes is only illustra- tive and not exhaustive. Therefore, participants can write papers on any theme of their choice of rele- vant of the Workshop. Advisor No Registration Fee for Participants Prof. M. Sarangapani Co-ordinating Officer UGC, Kakatiya University Last Date for Registration : 29-02-2020 Notification of Acceptance : 02-03-2020 Organized No Travel Allowance will be provided but By Director Local Hospitality will be provided with prior re- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Studies Centre quest. Dr. Gade Sammaiah (UGC Sponsored) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Studies Centre Best Research Papers/Articles will be Kakatiya University Kakatiya University Warangal-506009 published in the form of Book with ISBN. Warangal-506009 Telangana State Telangana State India For further information please contact the India Workshop Director. Dr. Gade Sammaiah on 09849500471 or [email protected] / [email protected] The 6th century B.C. witnessed to great un- After Meditation, he became the Buddha, or In Modern India, The Sakya Buddhist Society rest in the mind of men in India.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the Great Awakening
    The sociological implications for contemporary Buddhism in the UK: socially engaged Buddhism, a case study Item Type Article Authors Henry, Philip M. Citation Henry, Philip M. (2006) 'The sociological implications for contemporary Buddhism in the UK: socially engaged Buddhism, a case study', Journal of Buddhist Ethics, Vol. 13 Publisher Dickinson Blogs Journal Journal of Buddhist Ethics Download date 25/09/2021 17:20:16 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10545/335908 Journal of Buddhist Ethics ISSN 1076-9005 http://jbe.gold.ac.uk/ The Sociological Implications for Contemporary Buddhism in the United Kingdom: Socially Engaged Buddhism, a Case Study Phil Henry University of Derby Email: [email protected] Copyright Notice: Digital copies of this work may be made and dis- tributed provided no change is made and no alteration is made to the content. Reproduction in any other format, with the exception of a single copy for private study, requires the written permission of the au- thor. All enquiries to: [email protected] The Sociological Implications for Contemporary Buddhism in the United Kingdom: Socially Engaged Buddhism, a Case Study Phil Henry University of Derby Email: [email protected] Introduction Buddhist Studies has, for well over a century, been seen by many in the acad- emy as the domain of philologists and others whose skills are essentially in the translation and interpretation of texts derived from ancient languages like classical Chinese, Pāli, Sanskrit, and its hybrid variations, together with the commentarial tradition that developed alongside it. Only in the last thirty-five years has there been an increasing number of theses, journal articles, and other academic texts that have seriously addressed the developments of a Western Buddhism as opposed to Buddhism in the West.
    [Show full text]
  • Culture and Religion Information Sheet Buddhism
    Culture and Religion Information Sheet Buddhism July 2015 Aim the provision of goods, services and facilities, in accommodation, clubs and in application forms This information sheet aims to raise awareness (see the Equal Opportunity Commission website and understanding of Buddhist religious and http://www.eoc.wa.gov.au/Index.aspx). cultural practices to assist service providers in the government and not-for-profit community sectors to Service providers and employers who recognise, improve service development and delivery. value and promote cultural and religious diversity can address more fully the needs of their clients and Introduction staff, thus providing services based on good practice. Respecting the roles of religion in various cultures is Western Australia is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and part of courteous, ethical and professional behaviour, multicultural society. Religious freedom and mutual which promotes a just and equitable society. respect for all religions are integral parts of our shared culture and are important underlying principles of multiculturalism and democracy. History of Buddhism in Western Australia There are a number of international treaties and national laws that recognise freedom of religion Though records are sparse, it is likely that Buddhism and belief as fundamental human rights, such as the was first brought to Australia around the mid-19th Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, the century by Chinese miners joining the gold rushes. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 Japanese pearl divers and their families arrived shortly and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986. after the Chinese, bringing Buddhism with them to Broome, Darwin and Thursday Island.
    [Show full text]