Full Contact Enlightenment » Buddhist studies

New ebooks by Charles S. Prebish and Damien Keown

Tanya McGinnity — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:52:18 +0000

Charles S. Prebish, who you may recall from my review of his memoir “An American Buddhist Life: Memoirs of a Modern Dharma Pioneer” (from Sumeru Press) and author of more than twenty books has released a new ebook. Titled “Looking West: A Primer for American Buddhism” this is a basic introduction to Buddhism in America highlighting the large variety of Buddhist traditions in America with a focus mainly on Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.

It offers a clear typology for examining the American Buddhist tradition which includes ethnicity, practice, democratization, social engagement, and adaptation. It describes how we determine just who is a Buddhist in America and how Buddhists present on American soil can work together respectfully while maintaining sometimes differing sectarian affiliations.

The ebook is available for $9.99 via either from Smashwords or from Amazon and be sure to be on the lookout for a review on this blog in the coming weeks.

Also of note is an ebook by Damien Keown titled “Buddhism and Bioethics” which offers a review of contemporary issues in bioethics from a Buddhist perspective. Tackling controversial subjects such as abortion, suicide and euthanasia and drawing from ancient and modern sources, this ebook is available for $9.99 again from either Smashwords or Amazon

Buddhist Studies in Canada – Study in Montreal?

TMcG — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:27:11 +0000

In my current quest to figure out what kind of profession I’d like to find myself working in, I’ve been considering going back to school to do my Masters. I have a passion for study, reading, learning and teaching. I say teaching- but I that less in the traditional – ‘listen to me, I have the answers’ kind of way and more in the way that I’ve come to appreciate through Buddhism which is more of a ‘take charge of own your education on this path’.

Many of my favourite teachers were those who encouraged me to discover things on my own, but were there to give guidance at the times when I needed it. I want to be that kind of teacher.

I’ve spent a bit of time on McGill’s Religious Studies website to see if this would help me in my search and I was inspired by looking at much of the research coming out. I was even more thrilled to read that a monograph will be coming out, titled “Wild Geese: Studies of Buddhism in Canada” which really would do much to help me out in my current desire to find out more information on pursuing my Masters.

So I take it to the community now. Is there anyone who can weigh in on McGill’s Buddhist Studies classes? Buddhist Studies in Canada? Feel free to leave a comment (I’ll keep it private if you indicate that you don’t wish to have it published).