Buddhist Wisdom for the Heart of Teaching

About the Book

How can we define beauty and spirituality from a Buddhist woman's perspective to empower women's voices through art? In what ways can Buddhist and Eastern feminist aesthetics enhance and contribute to foster spirituality as a dimension of religious education in the West? Buddhist Wisdom for the Heart of Teaching gives affirmative answers to those questions. Although Buddhist teachings and meditation practices are prevalent among people in the U.S. today, Buddhist studies take little notice of women's perspectives on beauty and spirituality. Drawing on Buddhist Wisdom through contemporary artists and theories, this book responds to religious and cultural pluralism that is complex and fragmented. It invites readers to celebrate understanding in the context of religious education. The use of rich metaphors and symbols stimulates imaginative responses to social issues and environmental crises.

About the Author

As a Buddhist from Japan, Nanako Sakai has lived in the U.S. for 20 years. She is a researcher, lecturer, and a college professor. She has an M.A. from the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, and an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from Fordham University.