Buddhist TV series on Sunday, 6:30 p.m.

Cultural News, May 2007

Prof. Dale Wright

    In the third year of its efforts to introduce the teachings of Buddhism through TV programming, the Society for the Promotion of Buddhism (Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai) is airing The Buddhist Way of Life every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on KXLA – Channel 44. Channels may vary depending on the type of TV service you have.

   In May, the program features Prof. Dale Wright of Occidental College in Los Angeles in four episodes. 

   Prof. Wright teaches courses on the religious traditions of East and South
Asia -- Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and others --focusing on the historical development and philosophies generated in Japan, Korea, China, Tibet, India, and the countries of Southeast Asia.

   He also teaches courses related to the philosophy of religion. His area of specialization and research is Buddhist philosophy, particularly the types of Buddhism that were developed in China and Japan -- Hua-yen Buddhism and Zen or Chan Buddhism.

   In the program, Prof. Wright discusses his first encounters with
Buddhism as a young boy, and how he came to study Buddhism academically through the inspiration of a college professor.  Prof. Wright also discusses Western perceptions of Buddhism, the appeal of meditation, of Buddhism’s relevancy to the world as it is evolving today, as well as other subjects.  He has also written several books on Buddhism.

    For information about the TV series, call Magicbell Communication, Inc. at (714) 445-0101. For information about Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, visit www.bdkamerica.org