A Buddhist Debate and Its Contemporary Relevance. The aim of this project is to engage with one of the central debates in Tibetan philosophy concerning truth, realism and epistemic justification. It plans to explore the implications of this debate for subsequent Tibetan thought and for contemporary Western analytic philosophy. The project plans to analyse previously unstudied texts and demonstrate the fecundity of a traditional method of collaborative cross-cultural philosophy today in which Tib ....A Buddhist Debate and Its Contemporary Relevance. The aim of this project is to engage with one of the central debates in Tibetan philosophy concerning truth, realism and epistemic justification. It plans to explore the implications of this debate for subsequent Tibetan thought and for contemporary Western analytic philosophy. The project plans to analyse previously unstudied texts and demonstrate the fecundity of a traditional method of collaborative cross-cultural philosophy today in which Tibetan and Western scholars work together to develop joint analyses. It may also demonstrate that the metaphysical and epistemological ideas and arguments developed in these debates can contribute to Western philosophy.Read moreRead less
On Whose Authority? The Contest to Define Tibetan Buddhism. As our third largest trading partner, China is of immense importance to Australia, and the problem of Tibet is a contentious aspect of Australia-China relations. The presentation of a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the subtleties of Sino-Tibetan tensions relating to the core issue of religious belief and practice will provide Australian policy-makers with key tools and insights for more effectively managing this important fore ....On Whose Authority? The Contest to Define Tibetan Buddhism. As our third largest trading partner, China is of immense importance to Australia, and the problem of Tibet is a contentious aspect of Australia-China relations. The presentation of a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the subtleties of Sino-Tibetan tensions relating to the core issue of religious belief and practice will provide Australian policy-makers with key tools and insights for more effectively managing this important foreign policy matter, which can aid in preventing military instability in the region. The Tibet problem has ramifications for both China and India, and it is vital for Australian leaders to be equipped with the best information about it. Read moreRead less
ISLAM AND ISLAMIC LAW IN REGIONAL INDONESIA. This project is the first qualitative and quantitative analysis of the interpretation of Islamic law in a range of non-metropolitan areas of Indonesia. It will identify key issues of concern and analyse the directions and advice being provided by local religious leaders. The analysis of the relationship between definitions of Islamic law in the regions with State definitions will provide the basis for a more accurate assessment of the process and d ....ISLAM AND ISLAMIC LAW IN REGIONAL INDONESIA. This project is the first qualitative and quantitative analysis of the interpretation of Islamic law in a range of non-metropolitan areas of Indonesia. It will identify key issues of concern and analyse the directions and advice being provided by local religious leaders. The analysis of the relationship between definitions of Islamic law in the regions with State definitions will provide the basis for a more accurate assessment of the process and degree of syariah implementation in Indonesia. Only when this is understood can meaningful assessments be made about the nature of Islam in the world's largest Muslim nation.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0775828
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,373.00
Summary
A study of Buddhism and Chinese Buddhist Monks in modernising China. This project will analyse the relationship between religion and modernisation in China. There is a tendency for modernising states to abandon or marginalise traditional religions but paradoxically, while religious practice has undergone transformation and reform in China, Buddhism has not only survived but flourished over the last two decades. This project will investigate these changes and will assist in broadening the fields ....A study of Buddhism and Chinese Buddhist Monks in modernising China. This project will analyse the relationship between religion and modernisation in China. There is a tendency for modernising states to abandon or marginalise traditional religions but paradoxically, while religious practice has undergone transformation and reform in China, Buddhism has not only survived but flourished over the last two decades. This project will investigate these changes and will assist in broadening the fields of expertise in the vibrant and growing field of Buddhist studies within Australia, a development that will undoubtedly help to forge closer links in the region, both in academic forums and more broadly with informal people-to-people contact.Read moreRead less
Being Muslim in Eastern Indonesia: practice, politics and cultural diversity. The project contributes to Safeguarding Australia through improved understanding of Muslim communities in eastern Indonesia and training young scholars in this field. Our studies of island society and regional Islamic organisations offer ethnographically informed comparative perspectives on Islamic cultural diversity across eastern Indonesia, including current changes in religious practice and governance. Insights deve ....Being Muslim in Eastern Indonesia: practice, politics and cultural diversity. The project contributes to Safeguarding Australia through improved understanding of Muslim communities in eastern Indonesia and training young scholars in this field. Our studies of island society and regional Islamic organisations offer ethnographically informed comparative perspectives on Islamic cultural diversity across eastern Indonesia, including current changes in religious practice and governance. Insights developed will enable Australia to anticipate future directions of socio-political transformation in Indonesia,and evaluate prospects for democratization, economic stability and human security. In a region that remains a priority for Australian development our research will improve understanding of a key driver of social life.Read moreRead less
The Awakening of Faith and New Confucian Philosophy. This project aims to provide a new understanding of how New Confucian philosophy was constructed in modern China. It proposes to debunk the prevailing myth that modern Chinese philosophy owes its identity as a continuation of Confucianism, to the exclusion of the fundamentally ‘foreign’ influence of Buddhism. It is anticipated that this project will substantially advance the knowledge base of Chinese philosophy both in Australia and internatio ....The Awakening of Faith and New Confucian Philosophy. This project aims to provide a new understanding of how New Confucian philosophy was constructed in modern China. It proposes to debunk the prevailing myth that modern Chinese philosophy owes its identity as a continuation of Confucianism, to the exclusion of the fundamentally ‘foreign’ influence of Buddhism. It is anticipated that this project will substantially advance the knowledge base of Chinese philosophy both in Australia and internationally, and will also contribute to a more informed understanding of the philosophical and religious traditions our neighbours use to define national and cultural identity.Read moreRead less
Religion, state and social inclusion: lessons from schools in three countries. Social inclusion is a priority for governments in Australia and overseas. Religious schools can be exclusionary, but can also provide safe havens for religious minorities. This project analyses a range of educational controversies in France, USA and Australia to propose programs and policies that enhance inclusion in religiously diverse societies.
Building India: Religion, craft and infrastructure in contemporary Asia. This project aims to show how Hinduism and the god Vishwakarma—literally, Maker of the Universe—frame and propel the infrastructural systems key to India’s rise as a 21st century economic powerhouse. The project will explore the unprecedented growth of Vishwakarma worship across India’s infrastructural and business enterprise sectors, and its role in mobilising a creative class of professionals. It will also investigate its ....Building India: Religion, craft and infrastructure in contemporary Asia. This project aims to show how Hinduism and the god Vishwakarma—literally, Maker of the Universe—frame and propel the infrastructural systems key to India’s rise as a 21st century economic powerhouse. The project will explore the unprecedented growth of Vishwakarma worship across India’s infrastructural and business enterprise sectors, and its role in mobilising a creative class of professionals. It will also investigate its role in instilling a spirit of craftsmanship among workers in Prime Minister Modi’s Make-in-India campaign. The project aims to deepen Australian understanding of Asian religion and economy as it seeks to navigate trade and investment opportunities in Asia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100230
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,402.00
Summary
Transnational networks of Salafi Clerics. This project aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the transnational networks of the ultra-orthodox Salafi Sunni Muslim clerics. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of Islamic studies and religion in society by studying transnational religious actors. This project offers new insights on the workings of Salafi clerical networks, and how these clerics attempt to influence and operate in Muslim societies. Since Salafism is bl ....Transnational networks of Salafi Clerics. This project aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the transnational networks of the ultra-orthodox Salafi Sunni Muslim clerics. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of Islamic studies and religion in society by studying transnational religious actors. This project offers new insights on the workings of Salafi clerical networks, and how these clerics attempt to influence and operate in Muslim societies. Since Salafism is blamed for providing the ideological foundations for extremism, the project provides significant benefits to the scholarly community as well as for policy makers, intelligence professionals and the general public in Australia and worldwide.Read moreRead less
Researching the Social Role of Religions in Australia. Most Australians claim allegiance to various religions in the Census. The number of religious denominations has greatly increased in recent years, most notably through immigration, with significant numbers from all world religions. Political and social policies are frequently influenced by religious principles and a detailed analysis of this variety is of crucial national importance. Religions from neighbouring societies are significantly r ....Researching the Social Role of Religions in Australia. Most Australians claim allegiance to various religions in the Census. The number of religious denominations has greatly increased in recent years, most notably through immigration, with significant numbers from all world religions. Political and social policies are frequently influenced by religious principles and a detailed analysis of this variety is of crucial national importance. Religions from neighbouring societies are significantly represented in Australia. Understanding them is of central importance in international political and commercial activity. Current research is essential, based on the most recent Census and other recent socio-economic information.
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