Elizabeth Harris explores what Buddhism has to say about the human condition and in particular about living in a violent world. It draws on conversations with Buddhists, Buddhist texts, the author’s personal diaries and experiences to show that Buddhism in action is rarely about physical withdrawal but about engagement with the suffering of others. Drawing on the realities of the violent ethnic conflicts in Sri Lanka, the book shows that there are no easy answers but Buddhism has much to offer to those who want to understand better the dynamics of conflict.

The turbulent history of relationships between Buddhists and Christians in countries such as Sri Lanka, where the actions of Christian missionaries in the colonial period led to a Buddhist revival and Buddhist-Christian conflict are explored as a backdrop to more positive examples of Buddhist-Christian encounters.

Written by a Christian with a positive perspective on Buddhism, this book illustrates the practical as well as theoretical value of dialogue and mutual respect in a troubled world.