Buddhist Encounters：Finding a Home in the Human Condition

In this ever-changing world, how do we confront universal challenges of life, such as birth, aging, sickness, and death? The latest work by Dr. Lewis R. Lancaster, Emeritus Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Buddhist Encounters: Finding a Home in the Human Condition, offers a spiritual guide to navigate these concerns. The book, comprising five themes and seventeen articles, delves deep into these issues facing humanity, helping readers find inner peace in the post-pandemic and AI-driven era with Buddhist wisdom. This insightful volume is edited by the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism and was officially published in August,2024.

Buddhist Encounters: Finding a Home in the Human Condition goes beyond a mere exploration of core Buddhist teachings; it serves as a practical guide to integrate these teachings into modern life. With wisdom and compassion, Dr. Lancaster guides readers to transform fear into calmness, addressing personal life challenges, rapid advancements of technology, and the global COVID-19 pandemic. With his profound understanding of Buddhism, he offers unique insights on Buddhist concepts including karma, emptiness, and the self, as well as on contemporary issues such as desire, racism, and the ongoing pandemic, providing invaluable guidance for readers.

Throughout the book, Dr. Lancaster shares his deep personal reflections on dealing with the loss of his loved ones and his own experiences with aging and illness. These heartfelt narratives resonate deeply, offering inspiration for personal growth and understanding of impermanence and value of life. The appendix features special interviews with Dr. Lancaster, conducted by Psychology Today columnist Dr. Chris Gilbert during his time in a nursing home, providing further insights into his thoughts and experiences.

To enhance the depth and emotional impact of the reading experience, the book includes 32 color illustrations, allowing rich visual interactions that complement the text and connect readers with the wisdom of Buddhism.

This book is particularly dedicated to Venerable Master Hsing Yun, commemorating a nearly half-century-long friendship that transcended time, space, and cultural barriers. Venerable Master Hsing Yun mentioned in “Recollections of the Traveling Days,” The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, “Despite being American, Dr. Lancaster is a proficient reader of canonical Chinese and is particularly dedicated to the studies of the Buddhist canon. He played a significant role in the digitization of the Fo Guang Buddhist Canon, for which I am immensely grateful…” Similarly, Dr. Lancaster often says, “I am very grateful that Buddhism was brought to America. It integrates Chinese Buddhist classics and culture into American culture and enriches it. Naturally, I also hope to contribute America’s advanced scientific concepts to Chinese Buddhism. It will foster mutual support and development between the two cultures.”

The book also includes significant forewords from Most Venerable Hsin Bau (Head Abbot, Fo Guang Shan), Venerable Tzu Hui (Founding Master’s Executive Assistant), and Dr. Minh-Hoa Ta (President, University of the West), adding depth and resonance to the work.

Buddhist Encounters is a remarkable blend of wisdom and compassion, an ideal read for anyone seeking inner peace and life wisdom in today’s society.