Table of Contents

Introduction: The Quandry of Buddhism and Violence

I. Buddhist Paths to Violence

II. State Violence and Buddhist Monks

III. The Violence of Gender Discrimination

IV. The Negotiaton of Violence: Buddhist Military Chaplains

V. The Violence of Trauma: Buddhist and Muslim Coping Strategies

VI. Violence against Buddha: A History of Blasphemy

Postscript: Buddhist Authority, Politics, and Violence

Bibliography

About the Author

Michael Jerryson is Professor of Religious Studies at Youngstown University. He is the co-editor of the Oxford Handbook of Religion and Violence and the editor of the Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Buddhism.

Reviews

"... for an introduction to the subject, one would be hard-pressed to find a better book to launch their research and start productive and important discussions not just about Buddhist pasts, but also Buddhist futures." -- Justin Thomas McDaniel, Journal of Asian Studies
"Like other literature by Jerryson, this book will satisfy readers across different disciplines and students at different stages in their studies, from the neophyte to graduate students to experts in Buddhist Studies, each chapter laying the ground for future research on Buddhism(s) and violence. Jerryson's work asks relevant questions and provides well-documented and nuanced answers throughout the book." -- Manuel Litalien, Journal of Buddhist Ethics
"This is a good book to use in any undergraduate course that explores the topic of religion and violence, in general, and how this issue is understood in a Buddhist context, in particular. It will also engage a general audience wanting to learn more about the role that violence plays in lived Buddhism." -- Manuel Lopez, Nova Religio
"Jerryson uses case study data to bring a new theoretical perspective to Buddhist views on and uses of violence. One of the most significant insights is his expansive definition of violence, which includes harm, indifference, and neglect." -- Brooke Schedneck, Religious Studies Review
"provides fascinating insights into the engagement of Buddhists, particularly Thai Buddhists, with varying forms of violence ... should be of considerable interest to Buddhist scholars and others who are interested in the theme of religion and violence." -- David B. Gray, Journal of Religion and Violence
"With a keen and perspicuous eye, noted Buddhism scholar Jerryson (Youngstown Univ.) exposes the dark side of the Buddhist religion and its unseemly, and seemingly paradoxical, relationship to violence. Jerryson takes readers on a fascinating, probing, and troubling journey through Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist practices to demonstrate Buddhism's unsettling ability to justify violence in its various forms. ...Jerryson's treatment of a Buddhist attempt at a
just-war theory, despite Buddhism's firm commitment to nonviolence, is fascinating, as is discussion of the Thai military's use of Buddhist chaplains. The relationship between Buddhist clergy and the
state is also thoroughly examined. Jerryson writes with a firm command of Buddhist scripture, history, and contemporary events. His writing is clear, well documented, and thought provoking" -- CHOICE
"If You Meet the Buddha on the Road offers a broad view on the topic of Buddhism and violence from an author with many publications and much fieldwork in this topic. Building on his monograph Buddhist Fury (2011) and co-edited volume Buddhist Warfare (2010), Jerryson uses case study data to bring a new theoretical perspective to Buddhist views on and uses of violence. One of the most significant insights is his expansive definition of
violence, which includes harm, indifference, and neglect." -- Dr. Brooke Schedneck, Religious Studies Review
"This is an important contribution to the field of religion and violence, as well as being a useful addition to both Buddhist and Southeast Asia studies. Michael Jerryson focuses particularly on the concept of harm (himsa) in the Buddhist tradition, starting with questions of direct physical violence and warfare, but also addresses questions around structural violence and harm. Notably, Jerryson notes that the studies behind this book have led to
restrictions in his work, especially in the Thai context, as he has addressed sensitive issues with political connotations ... Overall, this is an excellent and important study, and a number of the chapters are
amongst the best overviews of the areas they cover, with the first being especially noteworthy ... I can see many instructors adding chapters as readings for upper level courses across a wide range of subjects." -- Dr. Paul Hedges, Reading Religion
"In an arresting and well researched book, If You Meet the Buddha on the Road: Buddhism, Politics, and Violence, Michael Jerryson has taken up my question about Buddhism. What he has found is that Buddhists texts, legends and tradition have justified and promoted particular acts of violence, usually legitimised as defending the faith. In that sense it is no different than any other religious tradition." --The Wire
"[A]n arresting and well researched book." --Mark Juergensmeyer, The Wire
"This is the book that scholars of religion and violence have waited for, a comprehensive exploration of violence in the Buddhist tradition. Written with grace and clarity, it shows that violence is endemic to Buddhist practice in all of its forms-in warfare, punishment, blasphemy and gender discrimination-as it is in every religious tradition. Thus this study touches on the dark religious history of all humankind and our common global culture."--Mark
Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence
"With a multidimensional approach and expansive conception of 'violence,' Jerryson challenges us to consider more fully the role of cultural authority in explaining the power of religious actors in instigating violence. He also offers rich and original reporting from the field on the dynamics of current conflicts."--Stephen L. Jenkins, Professor of Religious Studies, Humboldt State University