Overview

Redefining how we understand diplomacy, Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia reveals Buddhism as a dynamic force in shaping international relations. This groundbreaking open access book highlights individuals—including monastics, laity, political leaders, and royalty—who have strategically employed Buddhist objects, teachings, and networks to forge transregional ties and influence global politics. Introducing the concept of Buddhist diplomacy, the book traces how Buddhism has been mobilized for soft power, cultural exchange, peacebuilding, and even geopolitical manoeuvring. From spiritual ambassadors like Taixu, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Hsing Yun to world leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Narendra Modi, and Xi Jinping, the twenty-two essays illuminate the surprising ways Buddhism has intersected with modern statecraft. Blending historical depth with contemporary insight, this volume invites readers to rethink diplomacy not only as negotiation and policy but also as a terrain where religion, culture, and global power converge. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Fellowship, Social Science Research Council (Singapore).

Full Product Details

Author:   Jack Meng-Tat Chia (National University of Singapore, Singapore.)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Academic
Dimensions:   Width: 15.80cm , Height: 2.40cm , Length: 23.20cm
Weight:   0.500kg
ISBN:  

9781350530126

ISBN 10:   1350530123
Pages:   320
Publication Date:   05 February 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   To order  

Table of Contents

List of Plates List of Contributors Acknowledgements Note on Orthography List of Abbreviations Introduction: What is Buddhist Diplomacy? Jack Meng-Tat Chia Part I: Monastics and Laity 1. Yuanying: Seeking Alliance Across the South China Sea, Xiang-Yun Ng (National University of Singapore, Singapore) 2. Taixu: A Goodwill Mission to India, Tansen Sen (New York University Shanghai, China) 3. Fujii Nichidatsu: Bringing World Peace through the Lotus Sutra, Yoshiko Ashiwa (Hitotsubashi University, Japan) 4. Otani Eijun: The Politics of Postwar Sino-Japanese Buddhist Diplomacy, Erik Schicketanz (Kokugakuin University, Japan) 5. The 7th Changkya Khutugtu: The Lama Diplomat from Empire to Exile, Daigengna Duoer (University of California, Santa Barbara, USA) 6. Zhao Puchu: A Comrade of the Dharma Dong Weikai (National University of Singapore, Singapore) 7. Hong Choon: Buddhist Diplomacy Before Official Relations, Jack Meng-Tat Chia (National University of Singapore, Singapore) 8. The 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche: India’s Monk Ambassador to Mongolia, Bhaswati Sarmah (Girijananda Chowdhury University, India) 9. Dharmasen Mahathero: Connecting Bangladesh to the Buddhist World, Sanjoy Barua Chowdhury (Mahidol University, Thailand) 10. Ajahn Tala Uttama: A Bridge Over Troubled Water, Napakadol Kittisenee (University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, USA) 11. Thích Nh?t H?nh: A Mission of Mindfulness, Sara Ann Swenson (Dartmouth College, USA) 12. Hsing Yun: A Global Ambassador for Chinese Buddhism, Jens Reinke (Vrije University, The Netherlands) 13. The 14th Dalai Lama: At the Fulcrum of Diplomacy Jed Forman (Simpson College, USA) 14. Yinshun: Serving the Belt and Road Initiative through South China Sea Buddhism, David L. Wank (Sophia University, Japan) 15. Fei Yechao: From English Interpreter to Grassroots Diplomat, Sisi Wang (National University of Singapore, Singapore) Part II: Politicians and Royalty 16. Jawaharlal Nehru: Making Plans for Indian Buddhism, Raymond Lam (Buddhistdoor Global) 17. Jigme Singye Wangchuck: Buddhist Approach to Democracy, Development, and Diplomacy, William J. Long (Georgia State University, USA) 18. George Yeo: Tending the Bodhi Tree, Reviving the Nalanda, Darryl Kangfu Lim (Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore) 19. Maha Chakri Sirindhorn: A Complex, Layered Buddhist Diplomacy, Ruizhong Choo (National University of Singapore, Singapore) 20. Narendra Modi: Reviving India as a Center of World Buddhism, David Geary (University of British Columbia, Canada) 21. Xi Jinping: A Buddha’s Diplomat from Communist China, Chien-peng Chung (Lingnan University, Hong Kong) 22. Ranil Wickremesinghe: The Accidental Buddhist Diplomat, Tabita Rosendal Ebbesen (Lund University, Sweden) Bibliography Index

Reviews

Jack Meng-Tat Chia, the leading scholar in Buddhist diplomacy in Asia, has brought us a wholly original and fascinating volume about the myriad ways Buddhist monks, royalty, and prominent laity have knit together the Buddhist world through subtle forms of ritual co-performance to overt forms of power politics. From traveling Tibetan lamas to Thai princesses, from Indian visionaries to Vietnamese meditation masters — readers learn how variegated these go-betweens' agendas can be and how creatively they enact their agendas. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Buddhist history and politics. * Justin Thomas McDaniel, University of Pennsylvania, USA * Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia brings much-needed scholarly attention to the complex intersections of religion and diplomacy. This impressive collection shows how Buddhist actors, both monastic and political, have shaped modern Asia’s international engagements in surprising and consequential ways. A landmark contribution to multiple fields. * Juyan Zhang, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA *

Author Information

Jack Meng-Tat Chia is the Foo Hai Associate Professor in Buddhist Studies at the National University of Singapore, where he serves as the founding chair of the Buddhist Studies Group.

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