THE PLAN

KEY STAGES

This project will be realised in stages:

1. recruit well-qualified staff with:
• ? a strong commitment to scholarly rigour and
• ? relevant language competences
2. launch the Working Group in September 2006:
3. work in two overlapping areas:
   • historical research into the political dimensions of Asian Buddhism
   • application of Buddhist social and political ideals in contemporary Asia
4. build up networks, hold public conferences, stimulate debate

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Initially, the Theravada cultures of South and Southeast Asia provide a natural point of focus. A range of studies with obvious long term relevance are needed here. This will be the basis from which the Group grows.
As soon as possible, the Group will extend its scope to take in China, Korea, Japan and Tibet. Funding will dictate the speed of this development.

Early projects must include:

• two 3-year Junior Research Fellowships, registered for DPhil in Oxford — we will encourage applications from Asia;
• two annual Senior Research Fellowships;
• a programme of Visiting Speakers and Mini-Symposia;
• an annual conference/symposium – not necessarily in the UK;
• the creation of a comprehensive library of “ephemera” — press-cuttings, broadcast material, et cetera;
• the creation and maintenance of website, in association with the OCBS, to disseminate information to the scholarly community, government agencies, NGOs, the press and the general public;
• a publication programme.

CONTEMPORARY STUDIES

The Working Group will explore the feasibility of applying Buddhist theories and practices to pressing social, economic and political problems in contemporary Asia. In this, it will simultaneously:

• always remain committed to rigorous scholarly discipline; and
• support Buddhist-oriented population groups which are developing new forms of political expression, by creating:
  • an annual Senior Fellowship scheme;
  • an annual themed symposium, based in Asia, to provide a critical forum for debate amongst engaged Buddhists;
  • links with related scholarly organizations in Asia, e.g. the Centre for Khmer Studies, EFEO, et cetera;
  • fruitful contact with relevant governmental, intergovernmental bodies and with NGOs;
  • a journal and an internet discussion forum focusing on e.g.:
    • good governance
    • financial (mis)management
    • conflict resolution
    • “Asian values”
    • minority rights
    • environmentalism.

A PUBLIC ROLE

The Atlantic world has many non- and para-governmental fora, often based on Christian values of cooperation, egalitarianism, and charity. This is where key long-term issues are addressed without pressure. In Asia, that dimension is generally lacking.

This gap will soon need to be filled. It is likely that new, Buddhist-derived institutions will be of significance here.

After all, Buddhism is a traditional, pan-regional value system that has always offered non-confrontational venues for interaction. Accordingly, this is the established way for the diverse cultures and populations of the region to find common ground. 1300-odd years ago, Buddhists moved freely around the whole East Asian culture area. Someone who was in Tibet one year could be in Japan a few years later, having meanwhile been active in several places across China and Korea. Throughout, such a person would remain equally at home everywhere. Indeed, their original nationality was often not too clear; that hardly mattered. A similar cosmopolitan potential remains latent in the culture today.

The OCBS, and the ‘Basics’ group, do not aspire to take a lead in building cross-cultural links. But we shall be active in the field at a time when changes in this direction are under way. It is only to be expected that we will in time host conferences for which the invitation list will extend beyond our primary areas of expertise.

THE ORGANISATION

GOVERNANCE

The ‘Basics’ Group will function as an autonomous component of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies. It will have a Management Committee, which will include:

Mr Ian Harris [Director of the Group]
Prof Richard Gombrich [OCBS Academic Director]
Mr Geoffrey Bamford [OCBS Executive Director]
Prof Peter Harvey
Dr Damien Keown
Dr Mahinda Deegalle

TIMETABLE

The Group will start to operate in September 2005

Year 1

• Establish office base and staffing in association with the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies
• Appoint and arrange supervisory structures for fellows
• Initiate visiting speaker programme
• Arrange and hold first two symposia
• Begin to build up library and website
• Plan to extend funding for complementary research relating to China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, etc.

Year 2

• Appoint new visiting fellows
• Continue visiting speaker programme
• Continue supervising junior fellows
• Continue building library and website
• Publish first symposia and visiting speaker papers
• Seek additional funding
• Arrange and hold second group of symposia

Year 3

• Appoint new visiting fellows
• Continue visiting speaker programme
• Publish second symposia and visiting speaker papers
• Continue building library and website
• Ensure junior fellows complete doctoral studies in good time
• Seek additional funding
• Arrange and hold third group of symposia