Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia

Jack Meng-Tat Chia is the Foo Hai Associate Professor in Buddhist Studies at the National University of Singapore, where he serves as the founding chair of the Buddhist Studies Group.

• List of Plates List of Contributors Acknowledgements Note on Orthography List of Abbreviations Introduction: What is Buddhist Diplomacy? Jack Meng-Tat Chia Part I: Monastics and Laity 1. Yuanying: Seeking Alliance Across the South China Sea, Xiang-Yun Ng (National University of Singapore, Singapore)2. Taixu: A Goodwill Mission to India, Tansen Sen (New York University Shanghai, China)3. Fujii Nichidatsu: Bringing World Peace through the Lotus Sutra, Yoshiko Ashiwa (Hitotsubashi University, Japan)4. Otani Eijun: The Politics of Postwar Sino-Japanese Buddhist Diplomacy, Erik Schicketanz (Kokugakuin University, Japan)5. The 7th Changkya Khutugtu: The Lama Diplomat from Empire to Exile, Daigengna Duoer (Boston University, USA)6. Zhao Puchu: A Comrade of the Dharma Dong Weikai (National University of Singapore, Singapore)7. Hong Choon: Buddhist Diplomacy Before Official Relations, Jack Meng-Tat Chia (National University of Singapore, Singapore)8. The 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche: India’s Monk Ambassador to Mongolia, Bhaswati Sarmah (Girijananda Chowdhury University, India)9. Dharmasen Mahathero: Connecting Bangladesh to the Buddhist World, Sanjoy Barua Chowdhury (Mahidol University, Thailand)10. Ajahn Tala Uttama: A Bridge Over Troubled Water, Napakadol Kittisenee (University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, USA)11. Thích Nhat Hanh: A Mission of Mindfulness, Sara Ann Swenson (Dartmouth College, USA)12. Hsing Yun: A Global Ambassador for Chinese Buddhism, Jens Reinke (Vrije University, The Netherlands)13. The 14th Dalai Lama: At the Fulcrum of Diplomacy Jed Forman (Simpson College, USA)14. Yinshun: Serving the Belt and Road Initiative through South China Sea Buddhism, David L. Wank (Sophia University, Japan)15. Fei Yechao: From English Interpreter to Grassroots Diplomat, Sisi Wang (National University of Singapore, Singapore)Part II: Politicians and Royalty 16. Jawaharlal Nehru: Making Plans for Indian Buddhism, Raymond Lam (Buddhistdoor Global)17. Jigme Singye Wangchuck: Buddhist Approach to Democracy, Development, and Diplomacy, William J. Long (Georgia State University, USA)18. George Yeo: Tending the Bodhi Tree, Reviving the Nalanda, Darryl Kangfu Lim (National University of Singapore, Singapore)19. Maha Chakri Sirindhorn: A Complex, Layered Buddhist Diplomacy, Ruizhong Choo (National University of Singapore, Singapore)20. Narendra Modi: Reviving India as a Center of World Buddhism, David Geary (University of British Columbia, Canada)21. Xi Jinping: A Buddha’s Diplomat from Communist China, Chien-peng Chung (Lingnan University, Hong Kong)22. Ranil Wickremesinghe: The Accidental Buddhist Diplomat, Tabita Rosendal Ebbesen (Lund University, Sweden)Bibliography Index

Jack Meng-Tat Chia, the leading scholar in Buddhist diplomacy in Asia, has brought us a wholly original and fascinating volume about the myriad ways Buddhist monks, royalty, and prominent laity have knit together the Buddhist world through subtle forms of ritual co-performance to overt forms of power politics. From traveling Tibetan lamas to Thai princesses, from Indian visionaries to Vietnamese meditation masters — readers learn how variegated these go-betweens' agendas can be and how creatively they enact their agendas. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Buddhist history and politics.