This book highlights what Buddhism has to offer for "living well" here and now-for individuals, society as a whole, all sentient beings and the planet itself.

From the perspectives of a variety of Buddhist thinkers, the book evaluates what a good life is like, what is desirable for human society, and ways in which we should live in and with the natural world. By examining this-worldly Buddhist philosophy and movements in India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Tibetan diaspora, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the United States, the book assesses what Buddhists offer for the building of a good society. It explores the proposals and programs made by progressive and widely influential lay and monastic thinkers and activists, as well as the works of movement leaders such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, for the social, economic, political and environmental systems in their various countries.

Demonstrating that Buddhism is not solely a path for the realization of nirvana but also a way of living well here and now, this book will be of interest to researchers working on contemporary and modern Buddhism, Buddhism and society, Asian religion and Engaged Buddhism.

About the Author

Sallie B. King is Professor Emerita of Philosophy and Religion at James Madison University, USA and Affiliated Faculty at the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University, USA.

Reviews

"This volume is a timely addition to the growing literature on Buddhist ethics, Buddhist modernism, and contemporary Buddhist social movements. Jenkins's lived-religion approach, and his theoretical push to think critically about the privileging of texts in Buddhist moral thought in particular, offer a new frame for thinking about questions of the Buddhist good life and Buddhist engagement as presented in part two of the volume. This volume will be of interest to scholars working in the field of contemporary Buddhist studies and is appropriate for assignment in graduate courses and upper-level undergraduate seminars." - Timothy Loftus, Journal of Buddhist Ethics

Book Information
ISBN 9780367607685
Author Sallie B. King
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 394g