This page may contain additional navigation below.
Personal Profile For Dr Mahinda Deegalle
Senior Lecturer: Study of Religions. School of Humanities and Cultural Industries.
PhD [Chicago], MTS [Harvard], BA(Hons) [Peradeniya].
Personal Statement:
Dr Deegalle is Steering Committee Member of the Buddhism Section of the American Academy of Religion, Managing Committee Member of the Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions, Editor of the journal of Buddhist Christian Studies published by University of Hawaii Press( http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/journals/bcs/ ) and Co-editor of the journal of Religions of South Asia. He serves as the Book Review Editor for Buddhist Studies Review (Journal of the United Kingdom Association for Buddhist Studies published by Equinox ( http://www.equinoxjournals.com/ojs/index.php/BSR ) and H-Buddhism: Humanities and Social Sciences OnLine ( http://www.h-net.org/people/editors/show.cgi?ID=124205 ). He is the author of "Popularizing Buddhism: Preaching as Performance in Sri Lanka" (State University of New York Press 2006, http://www.sunypress.edu/details.asp?id=61345 ), the editor of "Dharma to the UK: A Centennial Celebration of Buddhist Legacy (World Buddhist Foundation 2008), "Buddhism, Conflict and Violence in Modern Sri Lanka" (Routledge 2006)( http://www.routledgereligion.com/books/Buddhism-Conflict-and-Violence-in-Modern-Sri-Lanka-isbn9780415359207 ), and the co-editor of "Pali Buddhism" (Curzon 1996). Dr. Deegalle has several publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals, felicitation volumes and recent encyclopaedias. An edited volume containing his most recent publication "Norms of War in Theravada Buddhism" was launched in New York and Washington DC on 19 February 2009 ( http://www.ony.unu.edu/events-forums/events/2009/from-world-religions-to-norms.html ) and in London on 6 May 2009 ( http://www.soas.ac.uk/events/event50248.html ).
Most recently he has been a visiting researcher at Center for the Study of Religions, Harvard University ( http://www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr/people/visiting.html ). He has held Numata Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies at McGill University, Canada ( http://www.mcgill.ca/religiousstudies/lecture-series/ ). As a post-doctoral research fellow, he has carried out research in Buddhism over three and a half years in Japan under the auspices of The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai at Kyoto University, Sophia University, Aichi Gakuin University and International College for Advanced Buddhist Studies. He has teaching experience in Buddhism and related areas in a wide range of academic institutions in Sri Lanka, US, Canada and England and language teaching experience at Cornell University.
Dr Deegalle teaches in the Study of Religions and Philosophy and Ethics programmes. His teaching concentrates on Buddhism (in Sri Lanka and Japan), Theories and Methods in the Study of Religions, Ethics and Contemporary Religious Issues.
Dr. Deegalle is the Project Manager for the International Study Abroad Programme with Dongguk University, Korea partially funded by Prime Minister's Initiative (PMI)2 Grant Programme administered by the British Council since March 2008. He is currently developing an undergraduate module for this programme using study opportunties available in Seoul and incorporating innovative learning strategies with media projects. The module entitled "SR5028/6028 Religion, Philosophy and Cultural Practices in Korea" includes the incorporation of innovative pedagogic and assessment strategies such as the production of a DVD that captures the rich religious traditions of Korea. You can view some of the activities that Bath Spa students are involved in Korea by visiting the blog: http://bathspakoreansummer2008.blogspot.com/
In recent research, Dr Deegalle has explored the interface between religion and violence in relation to Buddhist society in Sri Lanka. In June 2002, with UKABS, he organised "Buddhism and Conflict in Sri Lanka" international conference at Bath Spa University and has been actively involved in projects of reconciliation and conflict resolution and provides expert advice to The Buddhist Federation of Norway in its educational, social-welfare and interfaith projects in Sri Lanka and Thailand. In addition to textual studies in Theravada Buddhism, Dr. Deegalle is involved in research activities related to Armed Conflict, Violence and Peacebuilding. He is frequently briefed by national and international media on these contemporary issues and is frequently contacted by international research organisations such as the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo, the Graduate Institute of International Studies (GIIS) in Geneva and international religious bodies such as the World Council of Churches in Switzerland.
Currently, he concentrates on the examination of Buddhist monks' involvement in Parliamentary politics in Sri Lanka and its impact on the peace process. He sees the greater significance of religion in the modern world and attempts to understand the unity and the diversity of religious expressions and their interconnectedness to social, historical and economic forces of the time.
He is an experienced researcher and supervisor of postgraduate studies who serves in validation panels and examination boards for research degrees. He is enthusiastic to supervise young researchers who are interested in textual studies of Theravada Buddhism (Pali and Sinhala) and in the interdisciplinary studies where Buddhism is the focus when the category of religion is applied into current ethical debates and practical contemporary concerns such as peacebuilding, managing war, conflict and violence and sustainable development.
Professional Qualifications:
Teaching and Learning Certificate of Advanced Professional Studies of Higher Education, Bath Spa University, 2005
Membership of Professional Bodies/Subject Associations:
Steering Committee Member, Buddhism Section, American Academy of Religion
Board Member, Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies
Managing Committee Member, The Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions
Member, International Association of Buddhist Studies
Member, United Kingdom Association for Buddhist Studies
Member, British Association for the Study of Religions
Member, Sri Lanka Association of Buddhist Studies
Member, The Pali Text Society
Teaching Specialism:
(a) Buddhism (Classical, Medieval and Modern)
(b) Comparative Religious Ethics (with a focus on Buddhism and Christianity)
(c) Applied Ethics
(d) Japanese Religions (with a focus on Buddhism, Shinto and New Religions)
(e) Methodology in the Study of Religions (Phenomenological, Anthropological and Postmodern approaches)
(f) Contemporary Religious Issues (Religious Conflicts, Violence, Terrorism, War and Peace, Human Rights, Ecology, Sustainability, Values and Economic Recession)
(g) Comparative Monasticism (Japanese, Korean and Sri Lankan; Buddhist and Christian) and Interfaith Dialogue (Buddhist and Christian)
(h) Pali, Sinhala and Sanskrit Languages
(i) I have just completed supervising a fulltime research student who wrote a PhD thesis on the life and works of a sixteenth century Buddhist master.
(j) In the past, I have held teaching positions at McGill University (Canada), Cornell University (USA), University of Chicago (USA), Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka and Antioch College (USA).
(k) I have also participated in Socrates-Erasmus Teaching Mobility Grant Programme with Faculty of Theology at University of Helsinki (Finland) and have taught at 'Sacred Space in World Religions' Summer School organized by the Elijah School of World Religious, Jerusalem (Israel) ( http://www.elijah-interfaith.org/679/ ).
Key Publications/Exhibitions/Performances:
BOOKS
(a) Popularizing Buddhism: Preaching as Performance in Sri Lanka. New York: State University of New York Press, 2006, pp. xii+232 ( http://www.sunypress.edu/details.asp?id=61345 ).
EDITED VOLUMES
(a) Dharma to the UK: A Centennial Celebration of Buddhist Legacy. London: World Buddhist Foundation, 2008, pp. xviii+296;
(b) Buddhism, Conflict and Violence in Modern Sri Lanka. London and New York: Routledge, 2006, pp. xv+277;
(c) Bauddhamum Samathanamum: Ilankaiyil Ina Muranpadum (Tamil trans.). Colombo: M.D. Gunasena, 2005, pp. xiv+215
(d) Budusamaya saha Sri Lankave Janavargika Ghattanaya (Sinhala trans.). Oslo: Buddhist Federation of Norway, 2003, pp. xx+378.
(e) Pali Buddhism (ed. with F.J. Hoffman). Surrey: Curzon, 1996, pp. xiv+233
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
"Politics of the Jathika Hela Urumaya Monks: Buddhism and Ethnicity in Contemporary Sri Lanka," Contemporary Buddhism 5 (2) 2004: 83-103.
"A Search for Mahayana in Sri Lanka," Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies 22 (2) 1999: 343-57
"Marathon Preachers," Asiatische Studien 52 (1) 1998: 15-56
"A Bibliography on Sinhala Buddhism," Journal of Buddhist Ethics 1997: 216-56
"Buddhist Preaching and Sinhala Religious Rhetoric," Numen 44 (1997): 180-210
"Vernacular Buddhism," Journal of the Japanese Association for South Asian Studies 9 (1997): 69-101
BOOK CHAPTERS
"Norms of War in Theravada Buddhism," World Religions and Norms of War, ed. V. Popovski et al, United Nations Uni. Press, 2009, pp. 60-86.
"Dialogue and Division: A Buddhist Response to Interfaith Dialogue," Buddhist and Pali Studies in Honour of Prof. K. Anuruddha, ed. K. Dhammajoti et al., The Uni. of Hong Kong, 2009, pp. 457-71.
"Sustainable Development and Buddhism," Religion, Science and Sustainablebility, ed. T. Kimura. Union Press, 2008, pp. 95-114.
"Creating Space for the Non-Buddhists in Sri Lanka," Hermeneutical Exploration in Dialogue, ed. A. Rambachan et al. ISPCK, 2007, pp. 114-27.
"Buddhist Monks and Political Activism in Sri Lanka," Can Faiths Make Peace? (ed.) P. Broadhead and D. Keown. I.B. Tauris, 2007, pp. 134-148.
"Introduction: Buddhism, Conflict and Violence" (pp. 1-21) and "JHU Politics for Peace and a Righteous State" (pp. 233-54), Buddhism, Conflict and Violence in Modern Sri Lanka (ed.) M. Deegalle. Routledge, 2006.
"Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhism in London," South Asians in the Diaspora (ed.) K.A. Jacobsen and P.P. Kumar (Leiden: Brill, 2004), pp. 52-73. Rev. print: "Theravada Buddhist Missions in London," Buddhism in the West, ed. G. Piyadassi et al. World Buddhist Foundation, 2005, pp. 171-204.
"Theravada Preunderstandings in Understanding Mahayana," Three Mountains and Seven Rivers: Professor Musashi Tachikawa's Felicitation Volume, (ed.) S. Hino and T. Wada. Motilal Banarsidass, pp. 43-64.
"Austerity as a Virtue: Spiritual Practices in Japanese and South Asian Buddhist Traditions," The Distant Neighbours: Fifty Years of Japan-Sri Lanka Relations, ed. W.D. Lakshman. University of Colombo, 2003, pp. 164-90.
"Buddhist Heretics?" Pranamalekha: Essays in Honour of Ven. Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana, (ed). B. Wimalaratana et al. London Buddhist Vihara, 2003, pp. 141-44.
"Buddhist Prayer?: A Reflection," Christians Talk about Buddhist Meditation: Buddhists Talk about Christian Prayer, (ed.) R.M. Gross and T.C. Muck. Continuum, 2003, pp. 118-31.
"The Central Buddhist Doctrine of Anicca: A Unifying Category in Understanding Buddhist Traditions in Sri Lanka and Japan," Symposium on Buddhist Studies, (ed.) K. Rahula. Thames Meditation Society, 2003, pp. 182-93.
"Theravada Monk as a Buddhist Mystic: Mystical Attainments of a Twentieth-century Sri Lankan Monk," Mysticisms East and West, (ed.) C. Patridge and T. Gabriel. Continuum, 2003, pp. 34-43.
"Textuality of the Jayamangala Gatha and Its Liturgical Role in Modern Buddhist Marriage Ceremony," Buddhist Studies: Essays in Honour of Professor Lily de Silva, (ed.) P.D. Premasiri et al. U. of Peradeniya, 2002, pp. 183-97.
"Buddhist Critical Attitudes for Postmodern Age," Buddhism for the New Millennium, (ed.) L.S. Perera et al. World Buddhist Foundation, 2000, pp. 133-39.
"From Buddhology to Buddhist Theology: An Orientation to Sinhala Buddhism," Buddhist Theology: Critical Reflections by Contemporary Buddhist Scholars, (ed.) R. Jackson and J. Makransky. Curzon Press, 2000, pp. 331-45.
"Noviyat Hudijana: Local Consciousness within Disappearing Cosmopolitan Buddhism," Sambhasa, (ed.) G.D. Ratnapala et al. Vol. 10. Ministry of Education and Higher Education, 1999), pp. 483-503.
"Reconsidering Buddhist Preaching: Bana Tradition in Sri Lanka," Recent Researches in Buddhist Studies: Essays in Honour of Professor Y. Karunadasa, (ed.) K. Dhammajoti et al. Karunadasa Felicitation Committee, 1997, pp. 427-53.
"Introduction" (w. Hoffman, pp. 1-13) and "The Moral Significance of Buddhist Nirvana" (pp. 105-116), Pali Buddhism, (ed.) F. Hoffman and M. Deegalle. Curzon, 1996, pp. xiv+233
ENCYCLOPAEDIA ARTICLES
"Sri Lanka," Encyclopedia of Developing World. Fitzroy Dearborn, 2005
"Mt. Hiei" (2:1123-24) and "Sripada" (2: 1279-80), Encylopedia of Religion and Nature, (ed.) B. Taylor. Continuum International, 2005
"Srimala," Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia, (ed.) P.G. Jestice, 3:818-19. ABC-CLIO, 2004
"Education," Encyclopedia of Buddhism, (ed.) R.E. Buswell. Macmillan, 2003
"All Ceylon Buddhist Congress," "Hosso Shu," "Ontake Kyo," "Sarvodaya," and "Young Men's Buddhist Association," Religions of the World, (ed.) Melton and Baumann. ABC-CLIO, 2002
"Asceticism: Buddhist Perspectives," "Death Rituals," "Marathon Monks," "Monasticism: Definitions of," "Music: Buddhist Perspectives," "Sri Lanka: History," "Sri Lanka: Recent Changes," "Temple," and "Virtues," Encyclopedia of Monasticism, (ed.) W.M. Johnston. Fitzroy Dearborn, 2000
OTHER JOURNAL ARTICLES
"Is Violence Justified in Theravada Buddhism?" Current Dialogue 39 (2002): 8-17; reprinted Dialogue 29 (2002): 43-57 and Ecumenical Review 55 (2) 2003: 122-31 ( http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/cd39-03.html ).
"Soteriological Fundamentalism and Interreligious Dialogue," Current Dialogue 37 (2001): 9-12 ( http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/cd37-03.html )
"Buddha's Rock," Journal of Pali and Buddhist Studies 12 (1998): 103-15
"Mahayana Ideas within Theravada?" Buddhist Studies 27 (1998): 99-118
"Buddhist Principles of Democracy," Buddhist Studies 26 (1997): 89-107
"Innovations in Theravada Buddhist Rituals," Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies (1997): 685-92
INTERNET PUBLICATIONS
"Free to Choose, Open to Seek: Religious Liberty from a Theravada Buddhist Perspective," The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty (2004):( http://www.lankaliberty.com/perspectives/Deegalle.html ).
Edited Proceedings of Bath Conference on Buddhism and Conflict in Sri Lanka for Journal of Buddhist Ethics 10: 2003 ( http://jbe.gold.ac.uk/bath-conf.html ).
Current Scholarship:
(a) Buddhism and Sustainability project
(b) The Ethics of War: South Asian Buddhist Perspectives
(c) An English translation of a late medieval Sinhala Buddhist poetry text of riddles
(d) Politics of Buddhist Monks in Contemporary Sri Lanka and the Peace Process
(e) Continuing work on preaching literature in Sri Lanka and the relationships between vernacular and translocal Pali language and the use of Pali in Southeast Asian Buddhist societies
(f) A study of Amavatura and Butsarana and their English translations
(g) Mahayana and Tantric Buddhist movements in Sri Lanka
(h) Post-canonical Paritta Literature of Sri Lanka
(i) The Nineteenth Century Buddhist-Christian Debates
(j) Teaching Methodology and Fieldwork Techniques: Innovative Teaching in Undergraduate Level
PARTNERSHIP IN ON-GOING JOINT INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
(1) Thinking Together Forum, an Interfaith Forum of the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland, was formed to examine religious responses to contemporary issues that affect interfaith work. Since 2000 several topics have been selected: (i) Core-Values in Religious Traditions (2000), (ii) Religion and Violence (2002), (iii) Zenophobia (2003), (iv) Critical Moment in Interreligious Relations and Dialogue (2005), (v) An End to Tolerance (2005), (v) Unethical Conversions, India and Switzerland (2006 and 2007)
(2) Sustainability Project: Religions and Science / Technology (The Millennial Sustainability Studies Project, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tsukuba University, United Nations University, Tokyo). We have met twice now: (i) Panel "Religion and Science / Technology," and "Indigenous Religions and Environment: Toward Sustainable Societies," in the XIXth World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, 24-30 March 2005, Tokyo and (ii) The Cairo Conference: Cultural Values and Sustainability for the Future--Dialogue between Egypt and Japan (17-18 December 2005), Egypt. A volume of essays on sustainability is due to be released by United Nations University, Tokyo in 2008.
(3) Use of Force: Religious Perspectives and International Norms. A book project jointly organized by United Nations University in Tokyo and Interanational Peace Research Institute, Oslo. To be completed in 2008.
(4) International Research Group in Comparative Ethics of War: Religious Perspectives (2006-) organized by International Peace Research institute, Oslo. This is a four year project which aims to examine ethics of war in religion and armed conflict situations. My contribution will be the examination of ideas of ethics of war found in the Sinhala literary texts and some modern articulations of war rhetoric by contemporary Buddhists in Sri Lanka. A research grant has been obtained by PRIO for this project from Research Council of Norway
External Examiners:
(a) PhD., External Examiner, Faculty of Education and Society, University of Sunderland, 2009
(b) PhD., External Examiner, Faculty of Arts, University of Winchester, 2009
(c) PhD., External Examiner, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2009
(d) External Examiner, MA in Buddhist Studies Programme, University of Sunderland, 2008-
(e) PhD., External Examiner, Mother Teresa Women's University, Tamil Nadu, India, 2008
(f) External Examiner, Undergraduate Examinations in South Asian Studies at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London 2005-
(g) External Adviser, Revalidation Panel for BA (Hons) in Religious Studies, St. Martin's College, Lancaster, 2006
(h) External Assessor and Validation Panel Member of MA Programme in Religious Studies, Canterbury Christ Church University, May 2005
(i) External Scrutineer, University College of Winchester Research Degree Application (Religious Studies) for University of South Hampton, April 2005
(j) PhD., External Examiner, Faculty of Theology, University of Birmingham, June 2004
(k) M.Phil., External Examiner, Faculty of Theology, University of Birmingham, June 2003
Other External Roles:
EDITORSHIPS
(a) Editor, Buddhist-Christian Studies 2008-
(b) Co-editor, Religions of South Asia 2009-
EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mahachulalongkorn Journal of Buddhist Studies 2007-
BOOK REVIEW EDITOR
(a) Buddhist Studies Review 2004-
(b) H - Buddhism 2001-
(c) Religious Studies Review 2000-2002
ANONYMOUS MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION
(a) Routledge (2004)
(b) RoutledgeCurzon Critical Buddhism Series (2004)
(c) American Academy of Religion Trans. Series, Oxford Uni. Press (2003, 2004)
(d) Asian Studies Series of E. J. Brill (2003)
JOURNAL PEER-REVIEWING
(a) Mahachulalongkorn Journal of Buddhist Studies (2009)
(b) Journal of Religions of South Asia (2008)
(c) Journal of Buddhist Ethics (2003)
(d) Buddhist Studies Review (2006)
MEDIA APPEARANCES
(a) 'Gilded Bronze Image of Tara' BBC4 series produced by Fulmar TV, Nov. 2006
(b) BBC Radio 4 (2005)
(c) BBC World Service Debate: "When War is Justified?" 19 Nov. 2002 ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/archive/021114_iraq.shtml )
(d) BBC World Service: Sinhala (2005, 2006), Pastho (2006)
(e) BBC Asian Network (2004)
(f) BBC Radio Bristol (2005)
(g) NRK Nyheter (2005, twice)
(h Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (2003, 2005)
(i) Sri Lanka Rupavahini (2003, 2004, 2005)
(j) Consultant for filming on Buddhism and the projects of the BFN related to Sri Lanka
(k) Expert advice for Open University film on Buddhism
HONOURS
Valedictorian, Harvard Divinity School, 7 June 1989
GRANTS
(a) PMI2 British Council Grant for Int. Study 2008 and 2009
(b) The British Academy Overseas Conf. Grant 2002 and 2005
(b) Foreign Language Enhancement Grant (1990)
GRANT EVALUATIONS
(a) The Leverhulme Trust Grants 2006
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
(a) Japan Society for Promotion of Science Post-doc. Fellowship 97-99
(b) Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai Post-doc. Fellowship 95-96
(c) Overseas Dissertation Research Fellowship (UK) 94
(d) COSAS Dissertation Support Fellowship, Uni. of Chicago 93-95
(e) Fulbright Scholarship, Harvard Uni. 87-89
(f) Post-Graduate Research Fellowship, Uni. of Peradeniya 86
(g) Bachelor of Arts Degree Scholarship, Uni. of Peradeniya 85
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Obtained external funding, coordinated the translation of "Buddhism and Conflict in Sri Lanka" papers into Sinhala and Tamil and completed editorial work: (i) Bauddhamum Samathanamum (Buddhism and Peace, M.D. Gunasena, 2005) and (ii) Budusamaya saha Sri Lankave Janavargika Ghattanaya (Buddhism and Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka, Sinhala translation, Buddhist Federation of Norway, 2003).
CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION
(a) 11th Post-graduate Conference, Bath Spa Uni., 11 March 2006
(b) Religion and SecularDichotomy, Uni. of Stirling, 4-6 July 2003
(c) Buddhism and Conflict in Sri Lanka, Bath Spa Uni., 28-30 June 2002
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS, PARTICIPATION, CHAIRING AND RESPONSE PAPERS
Presenter (invited), "Ethical Concerns on Unethical Conversions in Sri Lanka," Int. Research Sem. on Buddhism, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya Uni., Thailand, 8-10 Jan. 2009
Presenter (invited), "Theravada Buddhism in the UK," Int. Conf. on Buddhism in India and Abroad, Benares Hindu Uni., India, 2-4 Jan. 2009
Presenter (invited), "The Role of Buddhism in the Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka," Ethnic Studies Lecture Series, West Chester Uni., USA, 13 Nov. 2008
Presenter, "One Month Fieldwork in Korea: A Study of Buddhism in Seoul," Ann. Conf. of the British Assoc. of the Study of Religions, York St. John Uni., UK, 1-3 Sept. 2008
Presenter (invited), "Sources for the Study of Ethics of War in Theravada Buddhism," Comp. Ethics of War Second Symp., Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel, Oslo, Norway, 21-23 Aug. 2008
Presenter (invited), "The Motivations for Sharing: Issues of Religious Conversion," Int. Interfaith Thinking Together, Ecumenical Center, Bossey, Switzerland, 18-21 Aug. 2008
Presenter (invited), "Politics and Buddhism in Sri Lanka," Int. Summer School, Dongguk Uni., South Korea, 15 July 2008.
Keynote Speaker "Problematic Relationships between Theravada Buddhism and the Sri Lankan State," Int. Workshop on Buddhism and Crises of the Nation-States in Asia, Asia Research Inst., National Uni. of Singapore, 19-20 June 2008
Presenter, "Jathika Hela Urumaya in the Context of Peace Process," Spalding Symp. on Indian Religions, Uni. of Oxford, 15 March 2008
Presenter (invited) "The Rhetoric of Armed Conflict" Comp. Ethics of War Workshop, Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, Italy, 2-4 Sept. 2007
Presenter (invited), "Buddhism, Conflict and Violence in Modern Sri Lanka,' South Asia Seminar, Ins. of Commonwealth Studies, Uni. of London, 10 April 2006
Participant (invited), "Conceptions of Armed Force in the Abrahamic Religions," Grottaferrata, Rome, 1-3 March 2006.
Moderator and Respondent (invited), "The Cairo Conf. on Cult. Values and Sustainability: Dialogue bet. Egypt and Japan," Egypt, 17-18 December 2005.
Presenter (invited), "From Dharmabhanaka to Bana Preachers: Vernacular Buddhist Transmission in Sri Lanka," American Academy of Religion Conf., Philadelphia, 20 Nov. 2005.
Presenter (invited), "Tolerance and Intollerance: A Buddhist Response," Colloque: La fin de la tolerance? World Council of Churches, Geneva, 14 Nov. 2005.
Presenter, "Recent Evidence for Mahayana in Sri Lanka," Conf. of the Int. Assoc. for Buddhist Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, Uni. of London, London, 29 Aug.-3 Sept. 2005.
Invited to Chair the panel on "Middle Path to Peace," and Presenter, "Politics of Peace," Inter. Buddhist Conf. on the United Nations Day of Vesak, UN Conf. Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, 18-22 May 2005.
Respondent (invited), "Contextualizing Ecology" and "One or Many Buddhism/s?" Presenter, "Buddhist Responses to Violence," 19th World Congress of the Int. Assoc. for the History of Religions, Tokyo, 23-30 March 2005.
Chair's Response (invited), "Mapping the Terrain: The Role of Religion in Diplomacy and Peacemaking," Int. Inst. of Peace Studies, Oslo, Holmenkollen Park Hotel Rica, Norway, 7-9 Feb. 2005.
Presenter (invited), "Unethical Conversions in Political Ethics of the Jathika Hela Urumaya: Political Monks of Sri Lanka," Uni. of Hull, 17 January 2005.
Presenter, "Monks for Dharmarajya," The British Association for the Study of Religions, U. of Oxford, Sept. 2004
Presenter (invited), "Creating Space for the Non-Buddhists," Thinking Together II: WCC, Eckert College, USA, Aug. 2004
Presenter (invited), "Buddhists for Peace Making," Mahachulalongkorn Raja. Uni., Thailand, July 2004
Presenter (invited), "Buddhist Resp. to Peace Making," Can Faiths Make Peace? Goldsmiths Col., U. of London, July 2004
Presenter (invited), "A Buddhist Ref. on the Ethnic Issue," Faith and Identity Lec. Series of St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, London, June 2004
Presenter, "Buddhist Resp. to Ethnic Turmoil," Buddhism, Power, and Polit. Order in South and Southeast Asia, U. of Oxford, April 2004
Presenter "Dharma Riddles," Spalding Conff, U. of Oxford, March 2004
Recent Professional Updating:
(a) Presented "Theravada Buddhism in the UK," International Conference on Buddhism in India and Abroad, Benares Hindu University, Benares, India, 2-4 January 2009.
(b) Presented "Further Ethical Concerns on Unethical Conversions in Sri Lanka," International Research Seminar on Buddhism, Buddhist Research Institute, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Wang Noi, Ayutthaya, Thailand, 8-10 Jan. 2009.
(c) Chaired "Angels in the Abrahamic Traditions," Annual Faith Forum, The University of Bath's Ecumenical Chaplaincy, 16 Feb. 2009.
(d) The article "Norms of War in War in Theravada Buddhism" in World Religions and Norms of War (2009) was launched by the United Nations University Press in the United Nations in New York and United States Institute of Peace, Washington D.C. on 19th and 20th Feb. 2009 in ( http://www.unu.edu/unupress/2009/worldReligions.html ).
(e) Appointed to the managing committee of the Spalding Symposium on Indian Religions and the co-editorship of the journal of Religions of South Asia, March 2009.
(f) Awarded for the second time the PMI2 British Council Grant to facilitate the participation of eight Bath Spa Students in Dongguk Summer Study Programme, March 2009.
(g) Participates in the 'Internationalising the curriculum' course conducted by Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development, March 2009.
(h) Completion of 'First Aid at Work' course at St. John Ambulance, 23 April '09.
(i) External examining a PhD at University of Winchester, 24 April '09.
(j) Invited presenter, "The Ethical Legitimacy of War in Theravada Buddhism," Comparative Ethics of War, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, 3-4 May '09.
(k) Panelist, "World Religions and the Norms of War," School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 6 May 2009.
(l) Presentation at St. Johns University, York, 24 June 2009.
(m) Presentation, "Buddhist on Religious Conversion," Geneva, Switzerland, 25 June 2009.
(n) Respondent, Meditation Traditions, Dongguk University, Korea, 10 July 2009.
(o) Lecture on Buddhism and Middle Path, Sangdo Meditation Centre, Seoul, Korea, 26 July 2009.
(p) External examining a PhD at Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, India, August 2009.
(q) External examining a PhD at University of Sunderland, 3 Sept. 2009.
(r) Presenter, "Landscapes, Monastic Architecture and Religious Locus in Korean Buddhism," Annual Conference of the British Association for the Study of Religions, Bangor University, 7-9 Sept. 2009.
(s) Presenter, "Ethno-nationalism, Militarism and Buddhism in Sri Lanka," Seminar on Buddhism and Militarism in Northeast, Southeast and South Asia, University of Oslo, Norway, 24-25 Sept. 2009.
Last Updated: 20 November 2009.
This page is created by the above named individual. The views expressed are theirs and are not those of Bath Spa University. BSU is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced.
