Sponsor: The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhism and Contemporary Society
‘M adness’ is a cultural construct with diverse valences depending on time and place. In this lecture Professor Unno examines definitions of ‘madness’ in Asian and Western contexts\, and then relates the terms of Buddhist compas sion to these diverse contexts\, both historical and contemporary. In exami ning the intersection between varying constructs of ‘madness\,’ on the one hand\, and trajectories of Buddhist compassion\, on the other\, different p ossibilities emerge for engaging ‘madness\,’ not merely treating it psychop athologically but revaluing it. In turn\, Buddhist compassion comes to hold a potential not just for healing ‘madness’ but as a lens for a world of ‘ madness.’ This multifaceted approach to madness and Buddhist compassion is presented through case studies and narrative illustrations that offer an ar ray of paths to practice.
Professor Unno’s lecture will be followed b y a book signing (Buddhism and Psychotherapy Across Cultures)\, tea\ , and snacks. The following evening\, March 22 at 7 pm\, Professor Unno wil l join Dr. Dzung Vo for a more informal panel discussion moderated by Dr. C arole Christensen\, Professor Emerita of UBC’s School of Social Work.
Professor Unno’s interests lie in Medieval Japanese Buddhism\, specificall y in the relation between intellectual history and social practices. He als o researches and has published in the areas of modern Japanese religious th ought\, comparative religion\, and Buddhism and psychotherpay. He is the au thor of Shingon Refractions: Myoe and the Mantra of Light\, a stud y and translation of the medieval Japanese ritual practice of the Mantra of Light\, and the editor of Buddhism and Psychotherapy Across Cultures: Essays on Theories and Practices.
LOCATION:Room 120\, C.K. Choi Building GEO:49.267258;-123.257967 URL;VALUE=URI:https://sppga.ubc.ca/events/event/madness-and-buddhist-compas sion/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Vancouver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 DTSTART:20160313T100000 TZNAME:PDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR