Buddhism in Five Minutes

Elizabeth Harris is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow within the Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion, University of Birmingham, UK. Before this, she was an Associate Professor at Liverpool Hope University. She specializes in Buddhist Studies and inter-faith studies, and has published widely in both disciplines. Her publications include: What Buddhists Believe (Oneworld, 1998): Theravada Buddhism and the British Encounter: Religious, missionary and colonial experience in nineteenth century Sri Lanka (Routledge, 2006): Buddhism for a Violent World: A Christian Reflection (Epworth, 2010/now published by SCM).

• (selected)Preface Cathy Cantwell, University of OxfordIntroduction Elizabeth J. HarrisPart One: Buddhism as a ReligionIs Buddhism a religion? Denise Cush, Bath Spa UniversityWhat is the role and focus of faith in Buddhism? Asanga Tilakaratne, University of ColomboAre relics important to Buddhists? Kevin Trainor, University of VermontWhat is the place of images of the Buddha in Buddhism? Sarah Shaw, University of OxfordWhat is the role of narrative in Buddhism?Brian Black, University of LancasterPart Two: The BuddhaWhat do we know of the historical Buddha?Dhivan Jones, University of ChesterHow is the nature of Buddhahood to be understood?Christopher V. Jones, University of CambridgeHow does one ‘read’ a Buddha-image? Ronit Wang, SOAS, University of LondonWho is the fat Buddha figure? Pauline Kolata, University of ChesterPart Three: What the Buddha Taught (1)Can we know what the historical Buddha taught? Rupert Gethin, University of BristolWhat part does belief in rebirth play in Buddhism? Peter Harvey, University of SunderlandDoes Buddhism see the mind as separate from the body? Peter HarveyTo what extent does Buddhism “deny the self”? The non-Self teaching. Christopher V. JonesPart Four: What the Buddha Taught (2) MeditationWhy do Buddhists meditate? Sarah ShawWhat is “mindfulness” in Buddhism, and does it differ from modern secular “mindfulness”? Tse Fu Kuan, Yuan Ze UniversityWhat kinds of meditation are there in Buddhism? Dhivan JonesWhat is the role of chanting in Buddhism? Renru Shi, University of LancasterPart Five: Monastics and Lay People in BuddhismWhat is the role of monasticism in Buddhism? Ann Heirman, University of GhentWhat rules do monastics follow? Alice Collett, South Asia History ProjectWhat is the role of preaching in Buddhism? Mahinda Deegalle, Bath Spa UniversityPart Six: The development of Buddhism: Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna BuddhismWhat is the ‘Hīnayāna’? Elizabeth J. HarrisWhat is Zen Buddhism? Hiroko Kawanami, University of LancasterWhat is Pure Land Buddhism? Wendy Dossett, University of ChesterWhat is the role of the Dalai Lama? Cathy CantwellWhat is the Bodhisattva vow?Nick Swann, University of South WalesPart Seven: Buddhist Art and Material CultureWhat are the main buildings and symbols of Buddhism? Arjuna Ranatunga, Univ of SunderlandWhy do Buddhists make art? Christian Luczanits, SOASHow is Buddhism influencing contemporary art? Tim Stephens, Unif of the Arts, LondonPart Eight: Buddhism and Other ReligionsHow has Buddhism been influenced by other religious traditions? How has Buddhism influenced other religious traditions? Sophie Barker, Univ of LancasterHow do Buddhists view other religious traditions and what kind of interreligious encounters are Buddhists involved in now? Elizabeth J. HarrisPart Nine: Buddhism and EthicsWhat vows do Buddhists take? Nick SwannAre Buddhists pacifists? Peter HarveyAre Buddhists vegetarian? Dhivan JonesDoes Buddhism have rules for marriage and family life? Alice CollettPart Ten: Buddhism and Contemporary IssuesWhat do Buddhists think about sex? Amy Langenberg, Eckerd CollegeWhat do Buddhists think about those who are LGBTQI? Sal Campbell, Birkbeck CollegeAre alcohol and drugs ever acceptable to Buddhists? Wendy DossettAre human rights compatible with Buddhism? Damien Keown, Goldsmiths CollegePart Eleven: Emergent BuddhismWhat is secular Buddhism? Tim StephensHow do Buddhists view Artificial Intelligence? Ralph Quinlan Is Western Buddhism a new form of Buddhism? Sarah Shaw