Transcendence and Violence

John D'Arcy May, who was born in Australia, is Associate Professor of Interfaith Dialogue, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College, Dublin. He is the author of Christus Initiator: Theologie im Pazifik, Christian Fundamentalism and Christian Identity, and After Pluralism: Towards an Interreligious Ethic.

• Part I: Christianity's Pacific Voyage1. The Christian Encounter with Aboriginal Religion2. Christianity and Modernity in MelanesiaPart II: Buddhism's Asian Journey3. Japanese Buddhism in War and Peace4. The Rebirth of Ethics in Thai BuddhismPart III: Strange Encounters5. Transcending Difference6. Transcending Violence

"Among the many recent studies on religion and violence, John May's is unique. From an historical-comparative analysis of how Christianity, Buddhism, and primal religions have encountered other cultures and religions, May draws bad and good news: Horrible, violent mistakes have been made. But religions can learn from such mistakes. The Transcendence they all seek can, and must, be found not in opposition to but with and through those who are different. This is both a sobering and an encouraging study of the religious potential for violence or peace. Paul F. Knitter, Professor Emeritus, Xavier University