David W Chappell

Buddhist Peacework: Creating Cultures of Peace David W Chappell

Brief Description: Buddhism is famous for bringing inner peace, but what about social harmony, human rights, and environmental balance? We have a responsibility today to work directly with our own suffering and the suffering in our communities, the world, and the environment. "Buddhist Peacework" collects for the first time in one place first-person descriptions of the ideas and work of eminent Buddhist leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Maha Ghosananda, A. T. Ariyaratne, Daisaku Ikeda, Shih Cheng-yen, Sulak Sivaraksa, and Robert Aitken. These 18 essays are divided into three sections that explore the newest Buddhist social developments, the principles that guide Buddhist peacework, and the importance of ongoing inner peacework in developing a sense of kinship with all people. This book is not a theoretical work. The authors are actively involved in the struggle to create social harmony and justice in the face of incredible opposition. The voices and experiences collected here come from the cutting edge of new developments in the Buddhist community, providing new information for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, and revealing new models for Buddhist practice in the modern world. Review Quotes: "This book is a welcome and highly readable addition to the growing literature on religiously inspired efforts toward world peace. It enlarges and deepens the discussion by asking not only the obvious questions about responsibility and engagement but also the seldom asked and uncomfortable questions about the role of the community and of the individual."--Harvey Cox, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity SchoolBiographical Note: David W. Chappell was a scholar of Chinese Buddhism and graduate chair of the Department of Religion at the University of Hawaii. He inititiated a series of Buddhist-Christian conferences in 1980 and was founding editor of the academic journal "Buddhist-Christian Studies" from 1980-95. He became the founding director of the Buddhist Studies Program at the University of Hawaii in 1987. In 1988, Professor Chappell was a cofounder of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies, and served as its President from 1993-95. He died in 2004. Joan Halifax, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and an anthropologist. Her books include "Simplicity in the Complex: A Buddhist Life in America" and "Being with Dying." She is the founder of the Upaya Institute in Santa Fe NM, where she now practices, teaches, and works. She is a Founding Teacher in the Zen Peacemaker Order of Roshi Bernie Glassman and the late Sensei Jishu Holmes and is a Soto priest and teacher. Review Quotes: "This marvelous and inspiring book is like the strong timber found in old bridge spans. May each of us, like the friends in this book, be a strong and joyful bridge that helps numberless beings and communities find their way to peace."--From the foreword by Joan Halifax Roshi, Head Teacher, Upaya Zen CenterReview Quotes: "Buddhists have suffered immeasurably from the brutality and injustice of the modern world; from this crucible has emerged a remarkable generation of buddhist leadership intently focused on peacebuilding. This volume makes available--for the first time in one place--first-person statements of the ideas and work of such eminent Buddhist leaders as H. H. the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Maha Ghosananda, A. T. Ariyaratne, Daisaku Ikeda, Shih Cheng-yen, Sulak Sivaraksa, and Robert Aitken: a cornucopia of visionary and creative social engagement."--Sallie B. King, Professor of Religion, James Madison University, and co-editor of Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in AsiaReview Quotes: "This diverse collection of essays will be useful for courses in peace studies, especially those exploring the complex but crucial issues surrounding the role of religion, spirituality, moral behavior, and individual responsibility in creating and strengthening cultures of peace."--Paul Joseph, Professor of Sociology, Tufts University, and Chair, Peace Studies AssociationPublisher Marketing: Buddhist Peacework focuses on the generation of Buddhist leaders playing a role in peace-building. Review Citations:

Publishers Weekly 04/24/2000 pg. 87 (EAN 9780861711673, Paperback)

Choice 01/01/2001 pg. 920 (EAN 9780861711673, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Chappell, David W David W. Chappell was a scholar of Chinese Buddhism and graduate chair of the Department of Religion at the University of Hawaii. He inititiated a series of Buddhist-Christian conferences in 1980 and was founding editor of the academic journal "Buddhist-Christian Studies" from 1980-95. He became the founding director of the Buddhist Studies Program at the University of Hawaii in 1987. In 1988, Professor Chappell was a cofounder of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies, and served as its President from 1993-95. He died in 2004. Contributor Bio:  Halifax, Joan Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, RN, FAAN, integrates her scientific research in mind-body medicine; clinical experience as an oncology, psychiatric, and hospice nurse; and mindfulness meditation practice and teaching to improve the well-being of those affected by medical illnesses and help other health care professionals do the same for their clients. She is the Tussi and John Kluge Endowed Professor in Contemplative End-of-Life Care at the University Of Virginia School Of Nursing in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the President of the Society for Integrative Oncology. She was formerly Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar and associate professor of nursing at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. Bauer-Wu is an accomplished researcher and scholar whose work has focused on the effects of chronic stress and the benefits of mindfulness and compassion practices in the face of debilitating illness and other life stress. She has provided significant service and leadership to many national and international organizations, and has earned several esteemed awards. She teaches training programs on mindfulness-based stress reduction and contemplative end-of-life care and facilitates resiliency retreats and workshops for health care professionals, as well as patients and families affected by chronic medical conditions. Learn more about Bauer-Wu's work at http: //www.thrivingtoday.com.