This listing of resources has been limited to English-language books, journals, organizations, and web sites. The listing rests on an understanding of socially engaged Buddhists as typically connecting “inner” spiritual practices with “outer” activities, ranging from the direct helping of others to efforts to transform institutions
This is an updated version of the original resource list first published in Turning Wheel [(Spring 2004): 30-37]. I thank Sara Schedler for her help in developing this updated listing.
* = good first texts to read.
You can purchase many of the books listed here at BPF's "Socially Engaged Buddhist Bookshelf" on Powell's Bookstore website. BPF receives a small portion of each sale made through Powells. Click here to visit the Socially Engaged Bookshelf.
A. General and Introductory
1. Socially Engaged Buddhism: General
2. Socially Engaged Buddhism in Asia
3. Socially Engaged Buddhism in the West
4. Ethics for Socially Engaged Practice
5. Exemplars of Buddhist Activism
B. Specific Fields and Themes
6. Environmental Issues
7. Prison Work
8. Racism and Diversity
9. Service and Caring in Various Fields: A Brief Selection
10. Social and Economic Analysis
11. War, Violence, Conflict, and Nonviolence
12. Women's Issues, Gender, and Sexuality
13. Work and Livelihood
C. Further Resources
14. Education and Training Programs in Socially Engaged Buddhism
15. Journals on Socially Engaged Buddhism
16. Organizations and Web Sites: A Selection
A. General and Introductory
1. Socially Engaged Buddhism: General
Bloom, Pamela (ed.). Buddhist Acts of Compassion. York Beach, ME: Conari Press, 2000.
Chappell, David (ed.). Socially Engaged Spirituality: Essays in Honor of Sulak Sivaraksa on his 70th Birthday. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press, 2003.
Charlsworth, Tony, and Eric Teare (eds.). Buddhist Action. Network of Engaged Buddhists (U.K.), n.d. (available from Ken Jones, Troed Rhiw Sebon, Cwmrheidol, Aberystwyth, SY23 3NB, Wales, U.K., for £3.00 or $6 in dollar bills).
* Dalai Lama. A Policy of Kindness: An Anthology of Writings by and about the Dalai Lama. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 1990.
__________. Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2000.
__________. The Compassionate Life. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003.
Edwards, David. The Compassionate Revolution: Radical Politics and Buddhism. Devon, U.K.: Green Books, 1998.
Eppsteiner, Fred (ed.). The Path of Compassion: Writings on Socially Engaged Buddhism (rev. ed.). Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1988.
Habito, Ruben. Total Liberation: Zen Spirituality and the Social Dimension. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1989.
__________. Healing Breath: Zen Spirituality for a Wounded Earth. Dallas: Maria Kannon Zen Center, 2001.
Ives, Christopher. Zen Awakening and Society. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1992.
* Jones, Ken. The New Social Face of Buddhism: A Call to Action. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003.
*Kotler, Arnold (ed.). Engaged Buddhist Reader. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1996.
*Kraft, Kenneth. The Wheel of Engaged Buddhism: A New Map of the Path. New York: Weatherhill, 1999.
Mishra, Pankaj. An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2004.
Moon, Susan (ed.). Not Turning Away: the Practice of Engaged Buddhism: 25 Years of Turning Wheel. Boston: Shambhala, 2004.
*Nhat Hanh, Thich. Being Peace. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1987.
__________. Peace is Every Step. New York: Bantam Books, 1991.
__________. Touching Peace. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1992.
Queen, Christopher, Charles Prebish, and Damien Keown (eds.). Action Dharma: New Studies in Engaged Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003.
Sivaraksa, Sulak. A Socially Engaged Buddhism. Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development, 1988.
*Sivaraksa, Sulak. Seeds of Peace: A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1992.
*Sivaraksa, Sulak. Conflict, Culture, Change: Engaged Buddhism in a Globalizing World. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2005.
Sivaraksa, Sulak et al (eds.). Radical Conservatism: Buddhism in the Contemporary World: Articles in Honour of Bhikkhu Buddhadasa’s 84th Birthday Anniversary. Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development/ International Network of Engaged Buddhists, 1990.
Sivaraksa, Sulak et al (eds.). Socially Engaged Buddhism for the New Millennium. Bangkok: Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation/ Foundation for Children, 1999 (available from Buddhist Peace Fellowship).
Sivaraksa, Sulak et al (eds.). Santi Pracha Dhamma. Bangkok: Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation/ Foundation for Children, 2001 (available from Buddhist Peace Fellowship).
Tanaka, Kenneth, and Eisho Nasu (eds.). Engaged Pure Land Buddhism: The Challenges Facing Jodo Shinshu in the Contemporary World. Berkeley: Wisdom Ocean, 1998.
2. Socially Engaged Buddhism in Asia
Ambedkar, B.R. The Buddha and His Dhamma. Bombay: Siddharth Publications, 1984 (originally published 1957).
Ariyaratne, A.T. Collected Works (7 vols.). Ratmalana, Sri Lanka: Vishva Lekha 1978 – 1999.
__________. Bhava Thanha: An Autobiography (2 vols.). Ratmalana, Sri Lanka: Vishva Lekha, 2001 – 2003.
*Aung San Suu Kyi. Freedom from Fear & Other Writings (rev. ed.). New York: Penguin Books, 1995.
Aung San Suu Kyi with Alan Clements. The Voice of Hope. New York: Seven Stories Press, 1997.
Bartholomeusz, Tessa. In Defense of Dharma: Just-War Ideology in Buddhist Sri Lanka. London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2002.
Bond, George. Buddhism at Work: Community Development, Social Empowerment, and the Sarvodaya Movement. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press, 2004.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. Dhammic Socialism. Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development, 1985.
Chakravarti, Uma. The Social Dimensions of Early Buddhism. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1987.
Dasgupta, Sugata. Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka. Calcutta: Jayaprakash Institute of Social Change, 1982.
Dayal, Har. The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1970 (originally published 1932).
Forest, James. The Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam: Fifteen Years for Reconciliation. Hof van Stony, Netherlands: International Fellowship of Reconciliation, 1978.
*Ghosananda, Maha. Step by Step: Meditation on Wisdom and Compassion. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1992.
Harris, Ian (ed.). Buddhism and Politics in Twentieth-Century Asia. New York: Pinter, 1999.
Hershock, Peter. Liberating Intimacy: Enlightenment and Social Virtuosity in Ch’an Buddhism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson (eds.). Pruning the Bodhi Tree: The Storm over Critical Buddhism. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1997.
Jackson, Peter. Buddhism, Legitimation, and Conflict: The Political Functions of Urban Thai Buddhism. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1989.
Jones, Charles. Buddhism in Taiwan: Religion and the State 1660-1990. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1999.
Kantowsky, Detlef. Sarvodaya: The Other Development. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House, 1980.
*Khong, Chan. Learning True Love: How I Learned and Practiced Social Change in Vietnam. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1993.
Kisala, Robert. Prophets of Peace: Pacifism and Cultural Identity in Japan’s New Religions. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1999.
Machacek, David, and Bryan Wilson (eds.). Global Citizens: The Soka Gakkai Buddhist Movement in the World. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Macy, Joanna. Dharma and Development: Religion as Resource in the Sarvodaya Self-Help Movement (rev. ed.). West Hartford, CT: Kumarian Press, 1985.
Manivannan, Ramu. Burma: Freedom Behind Bars. London: Peaceworkers UK, 2004 (available for £2.50, contact <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>).
Metraux, Daniel. The Soka Gakkai Revolution. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1994.
Narain, A.K., and D.C. Ahir (eds.). Dr. Ambedkar, Buddhism, and Social Change. New Delhi: D.K Publishing, 1994.
Nhat Hanh, Thich. Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire. New York: Hill and Wang, 1967.
*__________. Love in Action: Writings on Nonviolent Social Change. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1993.
__________. Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals 1962-1966. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1998.
Nikam, N.A., and Richard McKeon (eds.). The Edicts of Asoka. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978.
Phongphit, S. Religion in a Changing Society: Buddhism, Reform and the Role of Monks in Community Development in Thailand. Hong Kong: Arena Press, 1988.
*Pilchick, Terry. Jai Bhim! Dispatches from a Peaceful Revolution. Glasgow/Berkeley: Windhorse Publications/ Parallax Press, 1988.
*Queen, Christopher, and Sallie King (eds.). Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996.
Rahula, Walpola. The Heritage of the Bhikkhu: A Short History of the Bhikkhu in Educational, Cultural, and Political Life. New York: Grove Press, 1974.
Rodrigues, Valerian. The Essential Writings of B.R. Ambedkar. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Rongxi, Li (tr.). The Biographical Scripture of King Asoka. Berkeley: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1993.
Sangharakshita. Ambedkar and Buddhism. Glasgow: Windhorse Publications, 1986.
Seneviratna, Anuradha (ed.). King Asoka and Buddhism: Historical and Literary Studies. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society, 1994.
Seneviratne, H.L. The Work of Kings: The New Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Sivaraksa, Sulak. Siam in Crisis (2nd ed.). Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development, 1990.
__________. Loyalty Demands Dissent: Autobiography of an Engaged Buddhist. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1998.
__________. Global Healing: Essays and Interviews on Structural Violence, Social Development, and Spiritual Transformation. Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development/ Sathirakoses-Nagapradipa Foundation, 1999.
__________ (ed.). The Quest for a Just Society: The Legacy and Challenge of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. Bangkok: Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development/ Santi Pracha Dhamma Institute, 1994.
Smith, Bardwell. Religion and Legitimation of Power in Sri Lanka. Chambersberg, PA: Anima Publications, 1978.
__________. Religion and Legitimation of Power in Thailand, Laos, and Burma. Chambersberg, PA: Anima Publications, 1978.
Smith, Vincent. Asoka: The Buddhist Emperor of India. Delhi: S. Chand & Co., 1964.
Strong, John. The Legend of King Asoka: A Study and Translation of the Asokavadana. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983.
Suksamran, Somboon. Political Buddhism in Southeast Asia: The Role of the Sangha in the Modernization of Thailand. London: C. Hurst and Co., 1977.
__________. Buddhism and Politics in Thailand. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1982.
Swearer, Donald (ed.). Me and Mine: Selected Essays of Bhikkhu Buddhadasa. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1989.
Tambiah, Stanley. World Conqueror and World Renouncer: A Study of Buddhism and Polity in Thailand against a Historical Background. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
Topmiller, Robert. The Lotus Unleashed: The Buddhist Peace Movement in South Vietnam, 1964-1966. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press, 2002.
Wedel, Yuangrat, with Paul Wedel. Radical Thought, Thai Mind: The Development of Revolutionary Ideas. Bangkok: Assumption Business Administration College, 1987.
Yuk, Ip Hong. Trans Thai Buddhism & Envisioning Resistance: The Engaged Buddhism of Sulak Sivaraksa. Singapore: Select Books, 2004.
3. Socially Engaged Buddhism in the West
Aitken, Robert. The Dragon Who Never Sleeps: Verses for Zen Buddhist Practice. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1992.
Brazier, David. The New Buddhism. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.
*Glassman, Bernie. Bearing Witness: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Making Peace. New York: Bell Tower, 1998.
*Macy, Joanna. World as Lover, World as Self. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1991.
__________. Widening Circles: A Memoir. Gabriola Island, British Columbia: New Society Publishers, 2000.
* _________ and Molly Young Brown. Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World. Gabriola Island, British Columbia: New Society Publishers, 1998.
*Queen, Christopher (ed.). Engaged Buddhism in the West. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2000.
Thurman Robert. Inner Revolution: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Real Happiness. New York: Riverhead Books, 1998.
4. Ethics for Socially Engaged Practice
*Aitken, Robert. The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics. San Francisco: North Point Press, 1984.
Batchelor, Martine (trans.). The Path of Compassion: The Bodhisattva Precepts. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, 2004.
Dalai Lama. Ethics for the New Millennium. New York: Riverhead Books, 1999.
*Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Keown, Damien. The Nature of Buddhist Ethics. London: Macmillan, 1992.
__________ (ed.). Buddhism and Abortion. London: Macmillan, 1998.
__________ (ed.). Contemporary Buddhist Ethics. Richmond, Surrey, U.K.: Curzon Press, 2000.
__________ (ed.). Buddhism and Bioethics. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.
Keown, Damien, Charles Prebish, and Wayne Husted (eds.). Buddhism and Human Rights. Surrey, U.K.: Curzon Press, 1998.
LaFleur, William. Liquid Life: Abortion and Buddhism in Japan. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992.
*Nhat Hanh, Thich. Interbeing: Fourteen Guidelines for Engaged Buddhism (3rd ed.). Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1998.
Nhat Hanh, Thich, et al. For a Future to be Possible: Commentaries on the Five Wonderful Precepts. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1993.
Sadhatissa, Hammalawa. Buddhist Ethics: The Path to Nirvana. London: Wisdom Publications, 1987 (originally published 1970).
Senauke, Alan (ed.). Safe Harbor: Guidelines, Process and Resources for Ethics and Right Conduct in Buddhist Communities. Berkeley: Buddhist Peace Fellowship, n.d.
Sizemore, Russell, and Donald Swearer (eds.). Ethics, Wealth, and Salvation: A Study in Buddhist Social Ethics. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 1990.
Turning Wheel: The Journal of Socially Engaged Buddhism (see below for “Journals on Socially Engaged Buddhism”) issue on Buddhists Consider Medical Ethics (Spring 2002).
5. Exemplars of Buddhist Activism
Boucher, Sandy. Discovering Kwan Yin, Buddhist Goddess of Compassion. Boston: Beacon Press, 2000.
*Chavis, Melody Ermachild. Altars in the Street: A Neighborhood Fights to Survive. New York: Bell Tower, 1997.
Chagdad Tulku. Change of Heart: The Bodhisattva Peace Training of Chagdad Tulku. Junction City, CA: Padma Publishing, 2003.
Gorin, Joe. Choose Love: A Jewish Buddhist Human Rights Activist in Central America. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1993.
*Ingram, Catherine. In the Footsteps of Gandhi: Conversations with Spiritual Social Activists. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1990.
*Leighton, Taigen Dan. Faces of Compassion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes and Their Modern Expression (rev. ed.). Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003.
Nhat Hanh, Thich. Joyfully Together: The Art of Building a Harmonious Community. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 2003.
_______________, et al. Friends on the Path: Living Spiritual Communities. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 2002.
Sangharakshita. The Bodhisattva Ideal. Birmingham, U.K.: Windhorse Publications, 1999.
Titmuss, Christopher. Spirit of Change: Voices of Hope for a Better World. Alameda, CA: Hunter House, 1993.
Winston, Diana, and Donald Rothberg. A Handbook for the Creation of the Buddhist Alliance for Social Engagement (BASE). Berkeley: Buddhist Peace Fellowship, 2000 (also available online at <www.bpf.org/html/current_projects/base/base.html>).
Seeds of Peace (see below for “Journals on Socially Engaged Buddhism”) issue on Building Community, Living in Communities (January – April 1995).
Tricycle issue on The Practice of Citizenship (Fall 2004).
Turning Wheel issues on Community: What Is It? (Spring 1992), Buddhist Activism around the World (Summer 1996), Art & Activism (Summer 2002), Youth & Buddhist Activism (Fall 2002), and Activist Nuns & Monks (Winter 2002-2003), Bearing Witness (Spring 2004), Dharma and Democracy (Fall 2004).
B. Specific Fields and Themes
6. Environmental Issues (see also Resources on Dharma and Climate Change; or also the web site for Forum on Religion and Ecology: Buddhism)
Badiner, Allan Hunt (ed.). Dharma Gaia: A Harvest of Essays in Buddhism and Ecology. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1990.
*Badiner, Allan Hunt (ed.). Mindfulness in the Marketplace: Compassionate Responses to Consumerism. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 2002.
Batchelor, Martine, and Kerry Brown (eds.). Buddhism and Ecology. London: Cassell, 1992.
Halifax, Joan. The Fruitful Darkness: Reconnecting with the Body of the Earth. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.
Hirsch, Philip (ed.). Seeing Forests for Trees: Environment and Environmentalism in Thailand. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1996.
Jones, Ken. Beyond Optimism: A Buddhist Political Ecology. Oxford: Carpenter, 1993.
Kapleau, Philip. To Cherish All Life: A Buddhist Case for Becoming Vegetarian. Rochester, NY: Rochester Zen Center, 1986.
Kaza, Stephanie. The Attentive Heart: Conversations with Trees. New York: Fawcett Columbine, 1993.
*Kaza, Stephanie, and Kenneth Kraft (eds.). Dharma Rain: Sources of Buddhist Environmentalism. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1999.
Loori, John Daido. Teachings of the Insentient: Zen and the Environment. Mt. Tremper, NY: Dharma Communications Press, 1999.
Martin, Julia (ed.) Ecological Responsibility: A Dialogue with Buddhism. Columbia, MO: South Asia Books, 1997.
Morgante, Amy. Buddhist Perspectives on the Earth Charter. Boston: Boston Research Center for the 21st Century, 1997.
Phelps, Norm. The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animal Rights. New York: Lantern Books, 2004.
Schmithausen, Lambert. The Problem of the Sentience of Plants in Earliest Buddhism. Tokyo: The International Institute for Buddhist Studies, 1991.
Snyder, Gary. Turtle Island. New York: New Directions Books, 1974.
__________. The Real Work: Interviews & Talks 1964-1979. New York: New Directions Books, 1980.
__________. The Practice of the Wild. San Francisco: North Point Press, 1990.
__________. A Place in Space: Ethics, Aesthetics, and Watersheds. Washington, D.C.: Counterpoint, 1995.
__________. The Gary Snyder Reader: Prose, Poetry, and Translation, 1952-1998. New York: Counterpoint, 1999.
Titmuss, Christopher. The Green Buddha. Totnes, Devon, U.K.: Insight Books, 1995.
Tucker, Mary Evelyn, and Duncan Williams (eds.). Buddhism and Ecology: The Interconnection of Dharma and Deeds. Cambridge: Harvard Center for Study of World Religions, 1998.
Turning Wheel issues on Environmental Activism (Spring 1994) and In Praise of Water (Spring 1997).
Fujimoto, Hogen. Out of the Mud Grows the Lotus. San Francisco: Lotus Press, 1980.
Masters, Jarvis. Finding Freedom: Writings from Death Row. Junction City, CA: Padma Publishing, 1997.
Whitney, Kobai Scott. Sitting Inside: Buddhist Practice in American Prisons. Boulder, CO: Prison Dharma Network, 2002.
Turning Wheel issues on Prison Practice (Winter 1992), Buddhist Perspectives on the Death Penalty (Winter 1999), and Freedom & Confinement (Fall 2003).
8. Racism and Diversity Issues
*Adams, Sheridan, et al (eds.). Making the Invisible Visible: Healing Racism in Our Buddhist Communities (2nd ed.), 2000 (available from Buddhist Peace Fellowship or online at <www.spiritrock.org/html/diversity_2invisible.html>).
Baldoquín, Hilda Gutiérrez. Dharma, Color, and Culture. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 2004.
Johnson, Charles. Turning the Wheel: Essays on Buddhism and Writing. New York: Scribner, 2003.
Rangdrol, Choyin. Buddhist Meditations for African Americans. Oakland, CA: Rainbow Dharma, n.d.
Williams, Angel Kyodo. Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace. New York: Viking Compass, 2000.
Willis, Jan. Dreaming Me: From Baptist to Buddhist, An African American Woman’s Spiritual Journey. New York: Riverhead Books, 2001.
Tricycle: The Buddhist Review special section on “Dharma, Diversity, and Race” (Fall 1994).
Turning Wheel issues on Racism and Buddhism: Racism in Buddhism (Spring 1993), Buddhists of Asian Descent in the USA (Fall 2000), Buddhism in Las Americas (Spring 2001), and Black Dharma (Summer 2003).
9. Service and Caring in Various Fields: A Brief Selection
Bethel, Dayle. Education for Creative Living: Ideas and Proposals of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press, 1989.
Brandon, David. Zen and the Art of Helping. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1976.
Dalai Lama et al. Worlds in Harmony: Dialogues on Compassionate Action. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1992.
*Glassman, Bernie, and Rick Fields. Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Living a Life that Matters. New York: Bell Tower, 1996.
Levine, Stephen. Healing into Life and Death. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press/ Doubleday, 1987.
__________. Meetings at the Edge: Dialogues with the Grieving and the Dying, the Healing and the Healed. New York: Anchor Books/ Doubleday, 1989.
Longaker, Christine. Facing Death and Finding Hope: A Guide to the Emotional and Spiritual Care of the Dying. New York: Doubleday, 1997.
Miller, George. Peace, Value, and Wisdom: The Educational Philosophy of Daisaku Ikeda. New York: Editions Rodopi, 2002.
Shlim, David and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. Medicine and Compassion: A Tibetan Lama’s Guidance for Caregivers. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2004.
Smith, Rodney. Lessons from the Dying. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1998.
Sogyal Rinpoche. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying (rev. ed.). San Francisco: Harper SanFrancisco, 2002.
Turning Wheel issues on Health Care (Winter 1998) and Back to School (Fall 1998).
10. Social, Economic, and Political Analysis
De Silva, Padmasiri. The Search for Buddhist Economics. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society, 1975.
Gross, Rita. Soaring and Settling: Buddhist Perspectives on Contemporary Social and Religious Issues. New York: Continuum, 1998.
Hershock, Peter. Reinventing the Wheel: A Buddhist Response to the Information Age. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1999.
Kaza, Stephanie (ed.). Hooked: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 2005.
Loy, David. A Buddhist History of the West: Studies in Lack. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2002.
*__________. The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003.
Macy, Joanna. Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Natural Systems. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1991.
Norberg-Hodge, Helena. Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1991.
Payutto, Bhikkhu P.A. Buddhist Economics: A Middle Way for the Market Place (rev. ed.). Bangkok: Buddhadhamma Foundation, 1994.
__________. Buddhist Solutions for the 21st Century. Bangkok: Buddhadhamma Foundation, n.d.
Watts, Jonathan, Alan Senauke, and Santikaro Bhikkhu (eds.). Entering the Realm of Reality: Towards Dhammic Societies. Bangkok: Suksit Siam, 1997 (available from Buddhist Peace Fellowship).
ReVision: A Journal of Consciousness and Transformation issue on Spiritual Responses to Technology (Spring 2002) (also partly available online at <www.bpf.org/tsangha/tsj/tsj3.html>).
Think Sangha Journal issues (see “Journals on Socially Engaged Buddhism”) on The Religion of the Market: A Buddhist Look at the Global Economy, Consumerism, Development and the Role of Spirituality in Society (1998) and The Lack of Progress: Buddhist Perspectives on Modernity and the Pitfalls of “Saving the World” (1999) (available from Buddhist Peace Fellowship).
Seeds of Peace issues on Alternatives to Consumerism (January – April 1998), Buddhist Challenges to Economic Development (January – April 2004).
Turning Wheel issues on Consumerism (Summer 1995), Home & Homelessness (Fall 1996), Buddhists Look at Class (Spring 2000), and Not Turning Away: Buddhists on Human Rights (Summer 2000), Technology and the Mind (Summer 2004).
11. War, Conflict, Violence, and Nonviolence
Bath Conference on “Buddhism and Conflict in Sri Lanka.” Journal of Buddhist Ethics, 10 (2003) (only available online at <jbe.gold.ac.uk/bath-conf.html>).
Chappell, David (ed.). Buddhist Peacework: Creating Cultures of Peace. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2000.
Chapple, Christopher. Nonviolence to Animals, Earth, and Self in Asian Traditions. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1993.
Curle, Adam. To Tame the Hydra: Undermining the Culture of Violence. Oxford: Carpenter, 1999.
Fleischman, Paul. The Buddha Taught Nonviolence, Not Pacifism. Seattle: Pariyatti Press, 2002.
Fujii, Nichidatsu. Buddhism for World Peace. Yumiko Miyazaki (tr.).Tokyo: Japan-Bharat Sarvodaya Mitrata Sangha, 1982.
Ikeda, Daisaku. A Lasting Peace. Tokyo: Weatherhill, 1981.
*Kraft, Kenneth (ed.). Inner Peace, World Peace: Essays on Buddhism and Nonviolence. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1992.
Ling, Trevor. Buddhism, Imperialism, and War: Burma and Thailand in Modern History. London: George Allen and Unwin, 1979.
Manogaran, Chelvadurai. Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1987.
McConnell, John. Mindful Mediation: A Handbook for Buddhist Peacemakers. Bangkok: Buddhist Research Institute, Mahachula Buddhist University/ Spirit in Education Movement/ Wongsanit Ashram/ Foundation for Children, 1995.
*Nhat Hanh, Thich. Creating True Peace: Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World. New York: Free Press, 2003.
__________. Peace Begins Here: Palestinians and Israelis Listening to Each Other. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 2004.
Niwano, Nikkyo. A Buddhist Approach to Peace. Tokyo: Kosei Publishing Co., 1977.
Paige, Glenn, and Sarah Gilliatt (eds.). Buddhism and Nonviolent Global Problem-solving: Ulan Bator Explorations. Honolulu: Center for Global Nonviolence Planning Project, 1991 (available from Matsunaga Institute for Peace, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822).
Tambiah, Stanley. Buddhism Betrayed? Religion, Politics, and Violence in Sri Lanka. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992.
Thomas, Claude Anshin. At Hell’s Gate: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace. Boston: Shambhala, 2004.
Titmuss, Christopher. Transforming Our Terror: A Spiritual Approach to Making Sense of Senseless Tragedy. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s, 2002.
Victoria, Brian. Zen at War. New York: Weatherhill, 1998.
__________. Zen War Stories. London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2002.
Inquiring Mind: A Semiannual Journal of the Vipassana Community special issue on Reconciliation (Fall 2004) [www.inquiringmind.com].
Tricycle special section on “September 11: Practice and Perspectives” (Winter 2001).
Turning Wheel issues on Violence & Nonviolence (Summer 1994), Weapons (Spring 1998), and Vowing Peace in an Age of War: Buddhists Respond to 9/11 (Winter 2002).
12. Women's Issues, Gender, and Sexuality (for fuller listings, see the web sites for Sakyadhita and Women Active in Buddhism)
Arai, Paula. Women Living Zen: Japanese Soto Buddhist Nuns. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Batchelor, Martine. Women on the Buddhist Path. London: Thorsons, 2002.
*Boucher, Sandy. Turning the Wheel: American Women Creating the New Buddhism (rev. ed.). San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1993.
__________. Opening the Lotus: A Woman’s Guide to Buddhism. Boston: Beacon Press, 1997.
Cabezon, Jose Ignacio. Buddhism, Sexuality, and Gender. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1992.
*Dresser, Marianne (ed.). Buddhist Women on the Edge: Contemporary Perspectives from the Western Frontier. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 1996.
Faure, Bernard. The Power of Denial: Buddhism, Purity, and Gender. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003.
Feldman, Christina. Woman Awake: A Celebration of Women’s Wisdom. London: Arkana, 1989.
Findly, Ellison Banks. Women’s Buddhism, Buddhism’s Women: Tradition, Revision, Renewal. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2000.
Friedman, Lenore. Meetings With Remarkable Women: Buddhist Teachers in America (rev. ed.). Boston: Shambhala, 2000.
Friedman, Lenore, and Susan Moon (eds.). Being Bodies: Buddhist Women on the Paradox of Embodiment. Boston: Shambhala, 1997.
*Gross, Rita. Buddhism after Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1993.
Hopkinson, Deborah, Michele Hill, and Eileen Kiera (eds.). Not Mixing Up Buddhism: Essays on Women and Buddhist Practice. Fredonia, NY: White Pine Press, 1986.
Horner, I. B. Women Under Primitive Buddhism: Laywomen and Almswomen. Delhi: Motilal Banansidass, 1990 (originally published 1930).
Kabilsingh, Chatsumarn. Thai Women in Buddhism. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1991.
Klein, Anne. Meeting the Great Bliss Queen: Buddhists, Feminists, and the Art of the Self. Boston: Beacon Press, 1995.
Leyland, Winston (ed.). Queer Dharma: Voices of Gay Buddhists. San Francisco: Gay Sunshine Press, 1998.
__________ (ed.). Queer Dharma: Voices of Gay Buddhists, Volume 2. San Francisco: Gay Sunshine Press, 2000.
Murcott, Susan. The First Buddhist Women: Translations and Commentary on the Therigatha. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1991.
Paul, Diana. Women in Buddhism: Images of the Feminine in the Mahayana Tradition (rev. ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985.
Shaw, Miranda. Passionate Enlightenment: Women in Tantric Buddhism. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994.
Simmer-Brown, Judith. Dakini’s Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism. Boston: Shambhala, 2002.
Tsomo, Karma Lekshe (ed.). Sakyadhita: Daughters of the Buddha. Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1988.
__________ (ed.). Buddhism through American Women’s Eyes. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion, 1995.
__________ (ed.). Buddhist Women across Cultures: Realizations. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1999.
__________ (ed.). Innovative Buddhist Women: Swimming against the Stream. London: Curzon Press, 2000.
__________ (ed.). Buddhist Women and Social Justice: Ideals, Challenges, and Achievements. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2004.
Willis, Janice (ed.). Feminine Ground: Essays on Women and Tibet. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion, 1989.
Turning Wheel issues on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Buddhism (Fall 1992); Sexual Misconduct: Who’s Hurting Whom? (Spring 1996); and Buddhist Feminism (Spring 1999).
Kaye, Les. Zen at Work: A Zen Teacher’s 30-Year Journey in Corporate America. New York: Crown Publishers, 1997.
Richmond, Lewis. Work as a Spiritual Practice: A Practical Buddhist Approach to Inner Growth and Satisfaction on the Job. New York: Broadway Books, 1999.
*Whitmyer, Claude (ed.). Mindfulness and Meaningful Work: Explorations in Right Livelihood. Berkeley: Parallax Press, 1994.
Turning Wheel issues on Money (Summer 1993) and Work (Winter 1997).
C. Further Resources
14. Education and Training Programs in Socially Engaged Buddhism
Amida Trust, (Narborough, Leicestershire, U.K.): Fully Engaged Buddhism Program
http://www.buddhistpsychology.info/index.html
Peacemaker Institute (Boulder, Colorado, U.S): Integral Peacemaking, a 12-week Intensive Online/Residential Certificate Program
www.PeacemakerInstitute.org
Sp irit in Education Movement (Bangkok, Thailand)
www.sulak-sivaraksa.org
Webster University (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.): Spring Semester in Engaged Buddhism (in Thailand)
www.webster.edu/intl/sa/thailand.html
15. Journals on Socially Engaged Buddhism
BODHI Times
http://www.bodhi.net.au/aahtml_files/bodhitimes.html
Boston Research Center for the 21st Century Newsletter
www.brc21.org
Indra’s Net (journal of the Network of Engaged Buddhists, U.K.)
www.engagedbuddhist.org.uk
Journal of Buddhist Ethics
www.buddhistethics.org
The Mindfulness Bell (journal of the Community of Mindful Living)
www.iamhome.org/cml_mindful.html
Prison Dharma
www.prisondharmanetwork.org/newsletter.html
Sakyadhita Newsletter: International Association of Buddhist Women
www.sakyadhita.org/NewsLetters/newsindx.htm
Seeds of Peace (journal of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists)
www.inebnetwork.org
SGI Quarterly: Buddhist Perspectives on Peace, Culture, and Education(journal of Soka Gakkai International)
www.sgiquarterly.org
Think Sangha Journal (available from the Buddhist Peace Fellowship)
www.bpf.org/think.html
Turning Wheel: The Journal of Socially Engaged Buddhism www.bpf.org/html/turning_wheel/turning_wheel.html
Yasodhara: Newsletter on International Buddhist Women’s Activities (Thailand) (available c/o Dr. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Bangkok 10200, Thailand).
16. Organizations and Web Sites: A Selection (descriptions given through the words of the organizations themselves when possible)
Ambedkar and His People <www.ambedkar.org/> (India): comprehensive Web site on
the work of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (1891-1956) and ongoing work with India’s untouchables.”
Amida Trust (U.K.) <www.amidatrust.com/>: “develops humanitarian projects on Buddhist principles to help overcome suffering in the world.”
Angulimala: The Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy Organisation (U.K.) <www.angulimala.org.uk>: provides chaplaincy in prisons, resources, networking.
Aung San Suu Kyi's Pages (Burma) <www.dassk.org/index.php>: a Web site with news and links to other sites related to Burma and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, “leader of the nonviolent movement for human rights and democracy in Burma (Myanmar), and Nobel laureate.”
BODHI (Benevolent Organization for Development, Health, and Insight) (Australia, U.S.) <http://www.bodhi.net.au/>: an aid organization with projects in health, education, sanitation, environmental issues, and engaged action, mostly in Asia.
Boston Research Center for the 21st Century (U.S.) <www.brc21.org/home.html>: “an international peace institute that fosters dialogue among scholars and activists across cultures and religions,” founded by Daisaku Ikeda of Soka Gakkai International.
Buddhist Hospice Trust (U.K.) <www.buddhisthospice.org.uk/>: “provides compassionate care for the living, the dying, and the bereaved…open to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.”
Buddhist Peace Fellowship (U.S.) <www.bpf.org>: founded in 1978, its mission is “to serve as a catalyst and agent for socially engaged Buddhism,” through programs such as BASE, a “community-based volunteer service and activist training program,” and the Prison Program, and its quarterly journal, Turning Wheel.
Buddhist Perception of Nature Project (Hong Kong): coordinated by Nancy Nash. 5H Bowen Rd, Hong Kong; 852-252-33-464 (tel.).
Community of Mindful Living (International) <www.iamhome.org>: supports the practice and teachings of mindfulness of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Dharmanet/Buddhist Peace Fellowship Socially Engaged Buddhism Resources (U.S.) <www.dharmanet.org/engaged.html>: gives an extensive list of socially engaged Buddhist organizations and Web sites.
Earth Sangha (U.S.) <www.earthsangha.org/>: “a Buddhist environmental nonprofit committed to practical environmental action that is informed with Buddhist principles.”
Engaged Zen Foundation <http://www.engaged-zen.org/>: founded by Rev. Kobutsu Kevin Malone, fosters meditation practice and human rights in prisons.
European Buddhist Union “Buddhism and Education in Europe” Project and Working Group (International) <http://www.sbg.ac.at/budd/edu_e.htm>: deals with Buddhist education of young people in Europe today.
Forum on Religion and Ecology: Buddhism (U.S.) http://fore.research.yale.edu/index.html"><http://fore.research.yale.edu/index.html>: a Web site based at Yale University, includes extensive bibliography, traditional texts related to environmental issues, listing of engaged environmental projects, and Web links.
Friends of the Western Buddhist Order Right Livelihood Businesses (U.K. and International) <http://fwbo.org/fwbo/right_livelihood.html>: have developed “team-based” businesses, including whole foods shops, vegetarian restaurants, and gift shops, which offer a “training ground for developing awareness.”
Gay Buddhist Fellowship (U.S.) <http://www.gaybuddhist.org>: based in San Francisco, “supports Buddhist practice in the gay men’s community.”
Green Sangha (U.S.) <http://www.greensangha.org>: based in the San Francisco Bay Area, “brings spiritual practice and environmental work together.”
International Campaign for Tibet (International) <http://www.savetibet.org/>: “promotes human rights and self-determination for Tibetans.”
International Network of Engaged Buddhists (Thailand) <http://www.inebnetworkorg>: founded in 1989, networks its members in 33 countries; organizes conferences and trainings, publishes books and journal, Seeds of Peace
International Women’s Partnership for Peace and Justice (Thailand): a Buddhist women’s activist network directed by Ouyporn Khuankaew, offers trainings and workshops in women's leadership, empowerment, and non-violence. P.O. Box 3, Maerim Post, Maerim, Chiang Mai 50180,Thailand; 66-53-376-103, 66-53-892-507 (tel.); 66-53-376-103 (fax); <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." (email).
Jamyang Foundation (U.S. and India) <http://www.jamyang.org/>: an education project for Himalayan Buddhist women, directed by Karma Lekshe Tsomo.
Jungto Society (South Korea) <http://www.jungto.org/english/index.html>: founded by the Ven. Pomnyun Sunim “to attain the pure heart (open-mind), good friends, and clean earth,” with projects in South and North Korea, India, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Karuna Center for Peacebuilding (U.S.) <http://www.karunacenter.org/>: based in
Massachusetts, founded and directed by Paula Green, offers international training programs in conflict transformation, dialogue, and reconciliation.
Karuna Hospice Service (Australia) <http://www.karuna.org.au/>: assists terminally ill people and their families at home.
Karuna Trust (India) <http://www.karuna.org/>: organizes education projects for Buddhist ex-untouchables.
Khmer-Buddhist Educational Assistance Project (U.S. and Cambodia) <http://www.keap-net.org/index.htm>: connected with Maha Ghosananda, supports projects for the recovery of
Cambodia through trainings and linking donors and projects.
Manzanita Village/Ordinary Dharma (U.S.) <http://www.manzanitavillage.org>: founded by Caitríona Reed andMichele Benzamin-Miki, offers classes and retreats in Southern California, “based on mindfulness practices, vipassana meditation, Zen practice, deep ecology, and nonviolence, for the celebration and healing of the individual, society, and earth.”
The National Buddhist Prison Sangha (U.S.) <http://www.mro.org/zmm/rightaction/nbps.html>: offers “spiritual guidance and support to prison inmates.”
Network of Engaged Buddhists (U.K.) <http://www.engagedbuddhist.org.uk>: integrates spiritual and social concerns, publishes journal, Indra’s Net.
Nipponzan Myohoji (Japan and International) <http://www.dharmawalk.org/index.html>: carries on the legacy of Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985) “through walks, construction of pagodas dedicated to peace, and the constant practice of prayer.”
Peacemaker Circle International (International) <http://www.zenpeacemakers.org/>: founded by Bernie Glassman and others as an “evolving network of people working for social change” in 14 countries.
Prison Dharma Network (U.S.) <http://www.prisondharmanetwork.org/>: an “international nonsectarian contemplative support network for prisoners, prison volunteers, and correctional workers.”
Rigpa Fellowship Spiritual Care Program (International) <http://www.spcare.org/>: founded by Sogyal Rinpoche, “demonstrates practical ways in which…the Buddhist teachings can be of benefit to those facing illness or death and also to their families and medical caregivers.”
Rokpa International (U.K., Switzerland) <http://www.rokpauk.org/>: founded by Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Lea Wyler, “aims to improve the quality of life of the poorest peoples around the world,” with projects in Tibet, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe..
Sakyadhita: The International Association of Buddhist Women (International) <http://www.sakyadhita.org/>: “a network of communications for Buddhist women throughout the world,” encourages women as students, practitioners, and teachers of Buddhism.
Sarvodaya (Sri Lanka) <http://www.sarvodaya.org/>: founded in 1958 by Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, “an independent development and reconstruction movement, active in thousands of villages.”
Sathirakoses-Nagapradeepa Foundation (Thailand) <http://www.sulak-sivaraksa.org/>: a network of organizations and projects founded by Sulak Sivaraksa, “committed to social justice with ecological vision and based on engaged spirituality.”
Sekiyadhamma (Thailand): a network of socially engaged monks and nuns. Tel.66-67-575-156, 66-28-631-118 (tel.); 66-24-378-875 (fax); This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." (email); www.skyd.org (Web site, in Thai).
Soka Gakkai (Japan and International) <http://www.sgi.org/>: “advances peace, culture, and education and supports individual self-development, centered on the humanistic philosophy of Buddhism.”
Spirit Rock Diversity Program (U.S.) <http://www.spiritrock.org/display.asp?pageid=308&;catid=2&scatid=31>: contains resources and links related to Buddhist practice and diversity issues.
The Tara Project (Australia) <http://ttpa.org.au>: “embraces a diverse range of welfare projects guided by the universal principles of Buddhism,” in Australia and Asia.
Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development (Thailand) <http://www.sulak-sivaraksa.org/en/index.php?option=com_content&;task=view&id=153& ;Itemid=143>: “founded in 1980, its primary mission is to involve Buddhist monks and nuns in issues of ethics, community development, environmental conservation, and other relevant socio-economic and political issues.”
Think Sangha (International) <http://www.bpf.org/think.html>: “a socially engaged Buddhist think tank” coordinated by Jonathan Watts, based in Japan.
Tibet Justice Center (U.S.) <http://www.tibetjustice.org/>: formerly the International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet, “advocates self-determination for the Tibetan people and promotes human rights, environmental protection, and peaceful resolution of the situation in Tibet.”
Tzu Chi Foundation: Buddhist Compassion Relief (Taiwan) <http://www.tzuchi.org/>: entering 35th year, the organization “works in the missions of Charity, Medicine, Education, and Culture.”
Upaya Zen Center (U.S.) <http://www.upaya.org/>: “a Buddhist study center [in New Mexico] offering courses and retreats on engaged spirituality and on contemplative care of the dying,” guided by Roshi Joan Halifax.
Vallecitos Mountain Refuge for Environmental & Social Activists (United States) <http://www.vallecitos.org>: “a wilderness ranch and contemplative retreat center [in New Mexico] seeking to strengthen and support nonprofit leaders and advocacy organizations.”
Ven. Mother Park Chung Soo Won-Buddhist Relief Association (South Korea) <http://www.motherpark.org/english/index.html>: carries out humanitarian work in South Korea and many other countries.
Vipassaana Hawaii MettaDana Project (U.S.) <http://www.vipassanahawaii.org/mettadana>: “helps the people of the Sagaing Hills” (Burma), “focuses on primary school education, public health, and support for monasteries and nunneries.”
Women Active in Buddhism (U.S.) <http://members.tripod.com/~Lhamo/>: a “comprehensive collection of links and resources on contemporary Buddhist women.”
Zaltho Foundation (U.S.) <http://www.zaltho.org/index.html>: founded by Claude AnShin Thomas and “committed to ending violence by…establishing socially engaged projects in schools, communities, organizations, and families.”
Zen Environmental Studies Institute (U.S.) <http://www.mro.org/zesi/programs>: based in New York State, conducts wilderness exploration programs, teachings in Buddhist environmental ethics, and research on water, air, and earth pollution.”
Zen Hospice Project (U.S.) <http://www.zenhospice.org/>: based in San Francisco, provides “residential hospice care, volunteer programs, and educational efforts.”
Acknowledgements: For help with developing this resource list, I thank Ken Jones, Stephanie Kaza, Ken Kraft, Diana Lion, David Loy, Susan Moon, Christopher Queen, Sara Schedler, Jonathan Watts, and Diana Winston.
Please send comments, suggestions, and updates to Donald Rothberg via the Contact function of this website.