VV.AA. (2024). Buddhist studies in Latin America and Spain (II). Jaume Vallverdú & Daniel Millet (Eds.). Tarragona: Universitat Rovira i Virgili & Dharma-Gaia Foundation Publications, 338 pages.
You can download the full book by following this link: https://llibres.urv.cat/index.php/purv/catalog/book/595
The second volume of Buddhist Studies in Latin America and Spain, edited by Jaume Vallverdú Vallverdú and Daniel Millet Gil, is presented as an essential continuation of its predecessor, offering an in-depth exploration of Buddhism in the specific contexts of Latin America and Spain. This volume preserves the academic, non-denominational and interdisciplinary structure of the first volume. It delves into the richness and complexity of contemporary Buddhism through a collection of articles that explore this spiritual tradition from a variety of perspectives. From doctrinal studies to interactions with other disciplines, and the analysis of their adaptation to Latin American and Spanish realities, the book provides a comprehensive and detailed vision of Buddhism in the 21st century.
One of the highlights of this book is its firm commitment to interdisciplinarity as a fundamental tool for understanding Buddhism in its entirety. Far from being limited to a single perspective, the work brings together the voices of experts in different fields, recognizing that it is only through dialogue between disciplines that it is possible to approach the complexity inherent in this ancient tradition.
Anthropology, with its holistic approach and critical approach, is a fundamental discipline for analyzing the beliefs, practices and internal logic of Buddhism. The authors of this volume use anthropology to understand how Buddhism is lived and experienced in different cultural contexts, exploring both its ritual and symbolic aspects and its ethical and social implications. This approach allows us to understand the local variations of Buddhism.
Buddhism is often defined as a “science of the mind” because of its emphasis on meditation, the cultivation of mindfulness and the development of consciousness. In this sense, psychology becomes a key discipline for understanding the mental processes that come into play in Buddhist practice. Several articles explore, from a psychological perspective, meditative states, emotions, and other crucial aspects of the Buddhist experience.
To understand Buddhism in its current form, it is essential to know its history, from its origins in India to its expansion in Asia and its subsequent arrival in the West. History is used to contextualize the development of Buddhism, analyzing the different schools and traditions that have emerged over the centuries, as well as their interaction with other cultures and religions. This historical analysis examines how trade routes and migrations have facilitated cultural and religious exchange, allowing Buddhism to adapt and thrive in new environments.
In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in Buddhism in Western societies. Sociology provides the necessary tools to analyze this phenomenon, exploring the motivations of those who approach Buddhism, the ways in which it is integrated into daily life and the transformations it experiences when coming into contact with new cultures. Topics such as the search for spirituality in a secularized world, the desire to find practices that promote inner peace, and the growing interest in mindfulness as a tool for well-being are discussed.
The encounter between Buddhist thought and Western philosophy has given rise to a fruitful dialogue that has enriched both traditions. This explores the convergences and divergences between Buddhism and Western philosophy in subjects such as ethics, metaphysics, the nature of reality or the meaning of life. Philosophical debates about the concept of no-self are examined (Anatta) and its relationship with Western notions of personal identity and conscience.
Literature has been a fundamental vehicle for the transmission of Buddhist teachings throughout history. This volume incorporates literary analysis as a tool for understanding the cultural and spiritual expressions of Buddhism through narrative, poetry and other literary genres. Literary works that have been influenced by Buddhism and how they have helped to spread its teachings and values in the Western world are analyzed.
The issue of gender plays a central role in the contemporary debate on Buddhism. This volume pays special attention to the situation of women in Buddhism, analyzing both the challenges they face and the opportunities that open up for them within this tradition. Issues such as women's access to leadership roles within Buddhist communities and feminist reinterpretations of Buddhist teachings are addressed.
After this interdisciplinary statement of intent, the book is organized into four distinct parts. Each one addresses a specific area of study within the broad spectrum of Buddhism:
This first part delves into the doctrinal foundations of Buddhism, analyzing key texts, relevant figures and the evolution of different schools and traditions. Gustavo Pita Céspedes analyzes the relationship between Japanese Zen Buddhism and the samurai text Hagakure, exploring how the violence inherent in samurai life and the Buddhist principles of peace and compassion are reconciled. Aleix Ruiz Falqués takes us to ancient Burma to examine the development of the Theravāda Buddhist scholastic system in the kingdom of Pagan, a center of knowledge that left a lasting legacy in the Burmese Buddhist tradition. Girardo Rodríguez Plasencia investigates the process of conversion to Buddhism in Latin America through the case of the Soka Gakkai in Cuba, a Japanese Buddhist organization that has experienced notable growth in the Caribbean country. Francisco Díez de Velasco introduces us to the fascinating world of esotericism and theosophy to analyze the influence of Buddhism on the Spanish theosophical imaginary.
The second part focuses on the development of Buddhism in Latin America, a continent where this tradition has experienced significant growth in recent decades. Frank Usarski provides an overview of the institutionalization of Buddhism in Latin America, analyzing the impact of Asian immigration, the role of Buddhist missionaries and local conversions. Manuel Ato del Avellanal Carrera takes us to Peru to introduce us to the history of Buddhism in this Andean country. Daniela Mesa Sánchez completes this section with an analysis of Buddhism in Colombia, a country where this tradition has found fertile ground for its development.
This third part expands the focus to explore Buddhism from philosophy, literature and psychoanalysis, offering new perspectives on this ancient tradition. Carlos Barbosa Cepeda invites us on an intellectual journey through the encounter between Western philosophy and Buddhist philosophy. Sonia Betancort Santos takes us into the literary universe of Jorge Luis Borges to analyze the influence of Buddhism on the work of the great Argentine writer. Efraín Villamor Herrero proposes a symbolic reading of Buddhist literature through the analysis of the “heavenly horse”. Federico Andino closes this section with an approach to Buddhism from the perspective of psychoanalysis.
The fourth and final part of the book, as a miscellaneous, brings together four articles that address issues of great relevance in contemporary Buddhism: gender, interreligious dialogue and inclusion. Montse Castellà Olivé analyzes the position of women in Buddhism. Daniel Millet Gil explores the controversial “Christian Zen” movement. Sergio Stern Nicolayevski proposes an integrative vision of Buddhism. Hugo Córdova Quero and Cristian Mor Rodríguez close this volume with an analysis of the intersection between Buddhism and homosexuality in Latin America.
The volume culminates with two extensive bibliographies on Buddhist studies in Spanish, one dedicated to Spanish authors and the other to Spanish-American authors. These carefully prepared bibliographies are presented as an invaluable tool for researchers and readers interested in deepening the study of Buddhism in Spanish-speaking contexts.
This second volume of Buddhist studies in Latin America and Spain is consolidated as an indispensable reference work for understanding the development, diversity and challenges of Buddhism in the 21st century. Through the interdisciplinary perspective of its authors, it invites us on a fascinating journey through the different facets of Buddhism, from its doctrinal foundations to its contemporary expressions, to its interaction with other cultures, religions and disciplines.
The second volume of Buddhist studies in Latin America and Spain provides a detailed view of the presence and evolution of Buddhism in these contexts. Through a wide range of interdisciplinary approaches, the authors invite us to consider both the historical legacy of Buddhism and its future possibilities. This volume is not only a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners, but also an invitation to participate in the ongoing dialogue and exploration of Buddhism in an ever-changing world. As we look to the future, Buddhism in Latin America and Spain has the opportunity to continue to grow and adapt, making a significant contribution to the region's spiritual and cultural landscape.
