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Figures of Buddhist Modernity in Asia: A Review

Ethan Mitchell

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Buddhism has a long and complex history in Asia, and its development has been shaped by a variety of factors, including the influence of Western colonialism, the rise of nationalism, and the changing economic and social conditions of the region. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the role that Buddhist figures have played in the modernization of Asia. This interest has been fueled by the publication of several important works, including Duncan Williams and Christopher Queen's "Figures of Buddhist Modernity in Asia" (2016).

Figures of Buddhist Modernity in Asia

by Charles Bracelen Flood

4.1 out of 5

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"Figures of Buddhist Modernity in Asia" is a collection of essays that examines the lives and teachings of eight influential Buddhist figures from the 19th and 20th centuries. These figures include:

Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933): A Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist who founded the Maha Bodhi Society and played a key role in the revival of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Kūkai (774-835): A Japanese monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism and is considered one of the most important figures in Japanese Buddhism. "
Prince Siddhartha (1899-1927): A Thai prince who renounced his royal title to become a Buddhist monk and founded the Dhammayuttika Nikaya, a reformist movement within Thai Buddhism.
Nyanatiloka Mahathera (1878-1957): A German monk who was one of the first Westerners to ordain as a Theravada Buddhist monk and played a key role in the spread of Buddhism in the West.
Taixu (1890-1947): A Chinese monk who was one of the most influential figures in the Chinese Buddhist revival of the early 20th century.
U Nu (1907-1995): A Burmese politician who served as Prime Minister of Burma and was a devout Buddhist who played a key role in the development of Buddhism in Burma.
Dalai Lama XIII (1876-1933): The 13th Dalai Lama of Tibet who was a key figure in the Tibetan Buddhist revival of the early 20th century.
Suzuki Daisetsu (1870-1966): A Japanese scholar and Zen Buddhist teacher who played a key role in the spread of Zen Buddhism in the West. "

Williams and Queen argue that these figures were not simply passive recipients of Western ideas, but rather active agents who played a key role in shaping the development of modern Buddhism in Asia. They argue that these figures were able to adapt Buddhist teachings to the changing conditions of the modern world, and that they helped to create a new, modern Buddhism that was relevant to the needs of Asian people.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part provides an overview of the main themes of the book and introduces the eight Buddhist figures who are the focus of the study. The second part consists of eight chapters, each of which is devoted to one of the eight figures. The third part of the book provides a that summarizes the main arguments of the book and discusses the implications of the study for the understanding of modern Buddhism in Asia.

The book's strengths include its comprehensive coverage of the topic, its detailed analysis of the lives and teachings of the eight Buddhist figures, and its insightful discussion of the role that Buddhism has played in the modernization of Asia. The book's weaknesses include its lack of attention to the role of women in the development of modern Buddhism in Asia and its somewhat narrow focus on the Theravada and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism.

Overall, "Figures of Buddhist Modernity in Asia" is a valuable contribution to the study of modern Buddhism in Asia. The book provides a comprehensive and insightful overview of the topic and is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Buddhism in Asia.

Figures of Buddhist Modernity in Asia

by Charles Bracelen Flood

4.1 out of 5