Unit 5: From Social Dukkha to Social Nirvana

Class Issue: In this last unit, we will take a final, comprehensive view of the Iceberg of Dukkha in Japan and then look at the potentials of Buddhism to offer a future vision and path for Japanese society, specifically through the work of Prof. Jun Nishikawa, the late professor of development economics at Waseda University
Student Preparation for class: Choose ONE each of a 1) Holding Action, 2) Alternative Structure, 3) Shift in Consciousness that we have seen in this class and be prepared to share in class
Group Work: Review the various activities by Japanese socially engaged Buddhists to engage in holding actions, and build alternative structures and shifts in consciousness (culture).
Content: The Final Iceberg of Japanese Dukkha & the Potential of Japanese Socially Engaged Buddhism (PDF) click here for the audio lecture Note: The PDF at the beginning is more up to date
Conclusion: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra, the “Perfection of Wisdom” (Prajna Paramita)

Contemporary Buddhism in Japan & Asia