Jan Willis, PhD: Buddhism and Activism, Public Talk

In this talk, Professor Jan Willis will discuss how to apply the traditional Buddhist teachings on bodhichitta to life in our modern world. What does it mean to be a bodhisattva today? – Buddha was an activist the day he stood up and started to give teachings, says Professor Willis. Buddha Shakyamuni was a democrat and radical for more than 2500 years ago: everyone was welcome to his community, besides monks and laymen, he allowed people of all casts and nuns and laywomen to join. Still after 2600 years, this is radical, the cast-system is still existing, and women's role is still under a discussion on all parts of the world.