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.

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.

• 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