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Introducing the Yin-Cheng Journal of Contemporary Buddhism
Buddhism, a religion that spans over two thousand six hundred years and has spread worldwide, is considered one of the major global religions. Its teachings emphasize the concepts of depent origination, interconnectedness of all things, fundamental equality among all sentient beings, and the imperative to practice loving-kindness towards every creature.
The doctrines have been recorded, interpreted, and translated by generations of Buddhist disciples and teachers over time. Thus, they cannot be confined merely within their literal expression in the scriptures; rather, they must be understood within the larger context of the history and culture of Buddhism itself. This involves distilling the core teachings and considering their significance and influence agnst historical and cultural frameworks.
The academic study on Buddhist history has been a long-standing focus including but not limited to Buddhist history, philosophy, philology, literature, ritual practices, monastic codes, art, among others, resulting in rich scholarly eavors. Building upon this foundation, contemporary Buddhism studies must expand its understanding of the religion beyond its historical context.
As a living tradition with continuous development over time, Buddhism exists both in ancient times and the present day. The historical forms and modern interpretations are not isolated entities but rather part of a continuous narrative that parallels like flowing rivers merging together. To understand adaptations of contemporary Buddhism requires knowledge of Buddhist history while conversely understanding the nuances of contemporary practices helps illuminate historical studies.
This principle inspired Professor Jinhua Chen from the University of British Columbia UBC and me to initiate the Yin-Cheng Distinguished Lecture Series on Contemporary Buddhism, sponsored by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. We have invited esteemed scholars including Professors Stephen Teiser and Jonathan Gold from Princeton University, Professor Eugene Wang from Harvard University, Professor Bernard Faure from Columbia University, Professor Song Wang from Peking University, Imere Galambos Noga Ganany from the University of Cambridge, Ulrike Roesler Matthew Orsborn from the University of Oxford. This collaboration focus on studying contemporary Buddhism, encompassing its philosophies and practices, ming to bridge ancient and modern issues.
The Yin-Cheng Distinguished Lecture Series commenced in September 2021 and so far has hosted fourteen lectures with participation from renowned institutions such as Harvard University, Columbia University, Peking University, the University of Oxford, Princeton University, University of British Columbia among others. In 2022, we began our second phase: the Yin-Cheng Network for Buddhist Studies which includes annual lecture series and triannual symposiums organized by each participating institution along with publishing the Yin-Cheng Journal of Contemporary Buddhism in both Chinese and English.
Our goal is to support scholars' efforts and advance contemporary Buddhist studies while exploring how ancient philosophical theories and practices can illuminate modern life's major questions. The academic community holds a wealth of civilization and thought, potentially playing a pivotal role in shaping ity positively.
As practitioners inspired by Venerables Yinshun and Cheng Yen’s teachings who strive to transc limitations, scholars too are constantly climbing the peaks of knowledge, hoping each step brings them closer to enlightenment. Standing on these heights allows us to appreciate other summits and thus understand Buddhism's rich tapestry across time and space.
We are looking forward to the development of the Yin-Cheng Network for Buddhist Studies which will enrich our understanding through new discoveries of scholarly knowledge and contribute to contemporary Buddhism flourishing globally.
The Journal welcomes scholarly submissions in both Chinese and English languages. We encourage authors to explore how Buddhist thought and practice can illuminate pressing ethical, environmental, and social issues faced by modern society.
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Yin Cheng Journal of Contemporary Buddhism Global Religious Study Expansion Ancient to Modern Buddhist Continuity Scholarly Collaboration on Buddhism Contemporary Practices and Historical Context Integrating Philosophy with Practical Insights