Lecture: Rongdao Lai on Education Modernization in Chinese Buddhism
Monastic education is one of the most important projects in the modernization of Chinese Buddhism. This talk begins by exploring several paradigm shifts associated with Buddhist educational modernization that began in the 1920s, a period of fervent growth and significant changes. I argue that the reimagining of a national Buddhist community and reinterpretation of orthodoxy produced a distinctly Buddhist citizenship discourse, which became the basis for Buddhist engagement with the nation-state in terms of property rights, political participation, and wartime activism. These changes proved to be essential in inspiring and shaping the discourse and conceptualization of education within the tradition. The second part of the talk offers some observations and reflections on the current state of Buddhist education in mainland China and Taiwan.
Video: Interview with Sogyal Rinpoche
He delighted his audiences by introducing Tibetan Buddhist understandings of mind and meditative practice, commenting on how these impact contemporary society and relate to neuroscientific notions of mind. The lectures drew between 900 and 1,000 people to the Chan and Asian Centres.
Public Lecture: Levi McLaughlin on Education and the Soka Gakkai
“How to Cultivate a Mass Movement: Buddhism, Education, and the Rise of Soka Gakkai, Japan’s Largest Active Religion” Presented by Levi McLaughlin, Department of Religion, Princeton University. Date: Wednesday January 7, 2008 Time: 12:00 – 1:15 PM Place: Institute of Asian Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall Though too often ignored, the […]
Public Lecture: Stephen Covell on Japanese Buddhism and Education
“Cut Flowers: Buddhist Education and Kokoro no Kyōiku (Heart/Mind Education) in Japan” Presented by Dr. Stephen Covell, Director, Soga Center for Japanese Studies, Western Michigan University. Date: Monday September 25, 2006 Time: 12:00 – 1:15 PM Place: Institute of Asian Research, C.K. Choi Building Room 120, 1855 West Mall Over the past two decades politicians, […]