University of British Columbia (UBC)

Buddhism in the modern world

At the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, academic Jessica Main is driving forward the first Buddhist studies programme in North America to specifically mandate a focus on modern and contemporary society. The Ho family connection with the University began in 2005 with a Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation endowment to establish the programme. Mr Ho later expanded this support through establishing the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation Chair in Buddhism and Contemporary Society in 2009, with then doctoral student Ms Main being selected as the Founding Chair.

“I applied way too early as I had just begun to write my dissertation. But it was the perfect job, and I had to apply,” said Dr Main, whose thesis focused on the modern history of human rights and descent-based discrimination in Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, or Shin Buddhism. “I knew it was a long shot but the selection committee liked my work, liked my dissertation topic and my presentation.” The permanent position, set up in perpetuity, was renamed The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Chair in Buddhism and Contemporary Society in 2014.

The brave appointment decision matched the outlook of the programme and both have been boldly successful. “The programme’s presence at UBC will mean a continual focus on Buddhist studies,” said Dr Main. “The main concern is to increase accurate knowledge about this tradition and the role it has played in history and can possibly play in the present day,” she said. Foundation programme funding supports undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and expenses.

The catchily enthusiastic educator describes herself as an “accidental Buddhist”. She started out on her exploration of Buddhism with no intention of conversion and no interest other than intellectual. But through intensive studies and trying to understand the tradition, she found she did want to become a Buddhist. Until recently, career prospects for Buddhist scholars dictated that studies focused on scriptures, philosophy and traditions, within religious studies, Asian studies or anthropology departments, she said. In the first decade of the new millennium, the field broadened and Buddhism began being incorporated into different disciplines, including neuroscience (clinical studies and meditation), social history, and others. She sees the Ho family’s support for UBC’s contemporary programme as an early pioneer in this regard.

While Buddhism is no different from other religions in terms of the billions of hours of people’s thought and labour it represents, it has its own particular history and values that people can gain from and use to try to solve contemporary difficulties, Dr Main said. One example is the frugal lifestyles and lack of waste practised in Buddhist monasteries. It also has its own challenges that need to be grappled with, such as gender discrimination, she noted.

To increase practical impact and encourage students to reflect on the role of religion in Canadian and local society, Dr Main is keen to incorporate active community service into the academic component of her courses. She has been talking to Buddhist groups involved in such activities in the public and non-profit sectors. One of her main conversation partners is the Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Canada Society temple.

Such initiatives and vision can all be traced back to Mr Ho’s willingness to make the programme related to contemporary Buddhism, she said. “His openness allowed UBC to do something different. This willingness is really interesting and rare.”

Since the renaming of Dr Main’s chair, there has more communication with the Foundation’s head office in Hong Kong and involvement in the emerging knowledge network, a move she sees will be fruitful for the programme at UBC. In July 2015, Buddhist Studies Today, the first annual symposium of Foundation-supported dissertation fellows, was held at the University. The event was described by Dr Main as “exceptionally useful” in bringing together new and senior Buddhist scholars from institutions across the world, and intensifying collaboration. She is optimistic about greater links in the future. “We are now part of this network that is supporting all different styles of Buddhist studies teaching. The legacy is going to be tremendous.”