Buddhism and Cultural Studies

This book explores the reciprocity between Buddhist, Derridean, and Foucauldian understandings about ethics, subjectivity, and ontological contingency, to investigate the ethical and political potential of insight meditation practice. The book is narrated from the perspective of a postcolonial ‘Western Buddhist’ convert who, despite growing up in Singapore where Buddhism was a part of his disaporic ‘Chinese’ ancestral heritage, only embraced Buddhism when he migrated to Australia and discovered Western translations of Buddhist teachings. Through an autoethnography of the author’s Buddhist-inspired pursuit of an academic profession, the book develops and professes a non-doctrinal understanding of faith that may be pertinent to ‘believers’ and ‘non-believers’ alike, inviting the academic reader in particular to consider the (unacknowledged) role of faith in supporting scholarly practice. Striking a careful balance between critical analysis and self-reflexive inquiry, the book performs in all senses of the word, a profession of faith.

Edwin Ng is a cultural theorist who explores the translation of Buddhism in popular culture, the ethics and politics of contemporary mindfulness, and contemplative approaches to learning, inquiry, and activism. He has taught media and communication studies at Deakin University, Australia.

“With erudition and humility, Ng has produced a pathbreaking text that forms a much-needed platform for future work in Buddhism, postcolonialism, and poststructuralism. It is recommended for religious studies, Buddhist studies, and cultural studies classes that seek cross-disciplinary and autoethnographic approaches to religious hybridity. It is also an essential resource for research on Buddhist critical theory and the role of religion and ethics in cultural studies.” (Zack Walsh, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 43 (2), June, 2017)

“The book develops a convincing and passionate argument about the need to take the question of the religious and the spiritual seriously in cultural studies, while also remaining attentive to the modern sociological, political and cultural critiques of religion and religious practices. It also postulates an ethically-driven scholarship – an injunction the author derives both from deconstruction and from the Buddhist tradition. The book also demonstrates a hospitably critical attitude towards Buddhism itself, with its various incarnations and traditions.” (Joanna Zylinska, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK)

“Buddhism and Cultural Studies: A Profession of Faith is a valuable contribution to cross-disciplinary dialogue and an important intervention into debates about faith and academia, particularly in cultural studies. It is accessible and engaging, whilst managing to maintain high standards of critical purchase and will be warmly welcomed by those with appetite for books that engage cultural theory, questions of knowledge and faith.” (Paul Bowman, Cardiff University, UK)

“The book develops a convincing and passionate argument about the need to take the question of the religious and the spiritual seriously in cultural studies, while also remaining attentive to the modern sociological, political and cultural critiques of religion and religious practices. It also postulates an ethically-driven scholarship – an injunction the author derives both from deconstruction and from the Buddhist tradition. The book also demonstrates a hospitably critical attitude towards Buddhism itself, with its various incarnations and traditions.” (Professor Joanna Zylinska, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK)