“Buddhism in Extremis: The Fate of the Buddhist Order Under Pol Pot”
Presented by Professor Ian Harris, Professor of Buddhist Studies, University of Cumbria.
Date: Wednesday February 27, 2008 Time: 12:30 – 2:05 PM Place: Centre for Southeast Asia Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall
The Buddhist monastic sector (sangha) was virtually extinguished during Democratic Kampuchea (1975-79). Yet the number of monks who met their doom under the Khmer Rouge regime may have been significantly less than has formerly been claimed. This paper reassesses previous calculations, investigates their ideological underpinnings, and offers a historical overview of the gradual liquidation of institutional Buddhism in Cambodia. Continue reading “Public Lecture: Ian Harris on Buddhism Under Pol Pot”
The community and campus are still buzzing about a recent visit from world-renowned monk, author, photographer and biochemist, Dr. Matthieu Ricard. He visited Vancouver and UBC between March 9th and 11th to present a series of lectures as part of the Buddhism and Contemporary Society Program funded by the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation. Continue reading “Report: Renowned Buddhist Monk Matthieu Ricard Shares Insight on Happiness”
by Tsering Shakya, Canada Research Chair in Religion and Contemporary Society in Asia.
This year the Buddhism and Contemporary Society Program began with the appointment of Professor Kate Crosby as the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation Chair in Buddhism and Contemporary Society at UBC. Professor Crosby will be joining UBC from the University of London, UK. The program was also joined by Dr. Guang Xing from the Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong. Dr. Guang was appointed from January to June 2007 as the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation Visiting Professor on Buddhism and Contemporary Society. Dr. Guang Xing obtained his PhD from the University of London. Widely published in English and Chinese on Buddhism, he is the author of The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Buddhism to Trikaya Theory (Routledge 2005) Continue reading “Annual Report: Buddhism and Contemporary Society, 2006-2007”
“On Samatha And Vipassana: Some Case Studies From Burma And The Socio-Political Implications Of Their Practice”
Presented by Dr. Gustaaf Houtman, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
Date: Tuesday November 27, 2007 Time: 2:30-3:30 PM Place: Centre for Southeast Asia Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall
In Burma there are two systems of meditation, broadly classified as samatha meditation and vipassana contemplation. Whilst these two are interdependent in many ways, these nevertheless have very different meanings in personal lives. Here I present some case studies to consider the political implications of these practices.
Dr Gustaaf Houtman is the Editor of Anthropology Today and served as the Deputy Director of the Royal Anthropology Institute in London. His book, Mental Culture in Burmese Crisis Politics (1999), discusses the Buddhist dimensions to Burma’s conflict between the opposition and the ruling military.
Matthieu Ricard, PhD in Biochemistry and a Tibetan Buddhist monk, will deliver a series of lectures at UBC, the Ridge Theatre, and the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Society Temple (March 9 to 11, 2007), connected to his new book Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill (2007):
“Training the Mind: Science and Spirituality.”
“Change Yourself, Change the World.”
“Contemplative Life and Active Life.”
“Cultivating the Inner Conditions for Authentic Happiness.”
Presented by Professor Guang Xing, Centre of Buddhist Studies, the University of Hong Kong.
Date: Thursday May 31, 2007 Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM Place: Institute of Asian Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall
In contemporary society, there are many concepts influencing and affecting our lives, but the following six are important and frequently used in our daily life in the pursuit of happiness: democracy, freedom, liberation, equality, justice
and human rights. These six concepts are considered as the core of a secular society or state by many people. However, religion is generally viewed as something backward and detrimental to personal freedom and liberation. In this seminar, I will focus on the theoretical issues related to the six concepts by selecting passages from the Buddhist scriptures and discussing whether Buddhism teaches something compatible with the modern society. Continue reading “Public Lecture: Guang Xing on the Compatibility of Buddhism and Secular Values”
Presented by Professor Kate Crosby, Visiting Numata Professor, McGill University, Montreal.
Date: Monday October 16, 2006 Time: 12:00 – 1:15 PM Place: Institute of Asian Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall
This talk examines the religious responses and interpretations to the December 2004 tsunami among Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The talk draws on interviews conducted, as well as on informal conversations had and witnessed, in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami while engaged in relief work. The interpretations on the part of survivors and observers drew on a range of religious influences, including various understanding of the function of the law of karma, the role of gods and “kingship,” Buddhist mythology about the future of the world and Sri Lankan mythology about its own history. In addition to examining these, the talk will briefly look at how religious themes were drawn on to inspire and organise relief work. Finally the talk will conclude by examining some of the challenges that the tsunami presented to Buddhist communities, in particular to organisations involved in relief work and post-traumatic care. Continue reading “Public Lecture: Kate Crosby on Buddhist Responses to the Tsunami”
“Buddhist Monastic Boundary (sima) as an Explanatory Concept in the Contemporary Conception of the State in Southeast Asia”
Presented by Professor Ian Harris, Senior Research Fellow, Documentation Center of Cambodia Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Date: Monday October 2, 2006 Time: 12:00 – 1:15 PM Place: Institute of Asian Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall
For Theravada Buddhism a monastic boundary (sima) demarcates the special space set aside for ordination, the recitation of monastic rules, and confession. I shall provide a brief description of the uniquely sacrificial character of the sima-planting ceremony in both Cambodia and Thailand before attempting to illustrate the manner in which this key vinaya category has tended to break free from its original monastic context to influence the wider socio-political environment. Continue reading “Public Lecture: Ian Harris on Monastic Boundaries and the Concept of State”
Presented by Dr. Kate Crosby, Visiting Numata Professor, McGill University, Montreal.
Date: Monday October 16, 2006 Time: 12:00 – 1:15 PM Place: Institute of Asian Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall
This talk examines the religious responses and interpretations to the December 2004 tsunami among Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The talk draws on interviews conducted, as well as on informal conversations had and witnessed, in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami while engaged in relief work. The interpretations on the part of survivors and observers drew on a range of religious influences, including various understanding of the function of the law of karma, the role of gods and ‘kingship’, Buddhist mythology about the future of the world and Sri Lankan mythology about its own history. In addition to examining these, the talk will briefly look at how religious themes were drawn on to inspire and organise relief work. Finally the talk will conclude by examining some of the challenges that the tsunami presented to Buddhist communities, in particular to organisations involved in relief work and post-traumatic care. Continue reading “Public Lecture: Kate Crosby on the Tsunami and Sri Lankan Buddhist Reponses”
