Zazen and Dharma talk by Chris Ives: Zen Social Ethics: Historical Patterns and Recent Developments

Dharma talk by Chris Ives: “Zen Social Ethics: Historical Patterns and Recent Developments.”  Historically, when addressing social issues Japanese Zen figures have not used precepts as ethical resources.  Rather, their views of social ethics have been shaped by Confucian values and elements of Buddhism that accord with Confucianism.  Nevertheless, as indicated by some contemporary “Engaged Buddhists,” Zen does offer resources for formulating alternative approaches to social issues.  Christopher Ives is Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College. In his scholarship he focuses on ethics in Zen Buddhism, and currently he is working on Buddhist approaches to nature and environmental issues.  His publications include Zen on the Trail: Hiking as Pilgrimage (2018); “Resources for Buddhist Environmental Ethics” (Journal of Buddhist Ethics, 2013); Imperial-Way Zen: Ichikawa Hakugen’s Critique and Lingering Questions for Buddhist Ethics (2009); Zen Awakening and Society (1992); a translation of Nishida Kitarō’s An Inquiry into the Good (co-translated with Abe Masao, 1990); and a translation of Hisamatsu Shin’ichi’s Critical Sermons of the Zen Tradition (co-translated with Tokiwa Gishin, 2002). Sunday Morning Public program in our online Zendo via ZOOM.

9:30 am:  Zen Meditation (zazen)
10:10 am: Dharma Talk