Special issue of Contemporary Buddhism (11/2) and centenary lectures / conferences in London and Cork

U Dhammaloka (?1856 - ?1914) was a Dublin-born migrant worker who became a Buddhist monk in Burma in the late 19th century. An autodidact, atheist and temperance campaigner, he became known throughout colonial Asia as an implacable critic of Christian missionaries and a tireless organiser of Asian Buddhists from Burma to Japan and from Singapore to Siam.

The material collected in this special issue and presented at these centenary events sheds entirely new light on western Buddhism, the Buddhist revival in Asia, the history of Buddhist Studies, the politics of colonial Burma and Ireland's hidden Buddhist connections. It also brings to light the extraordinary life and remarkable personality of one of western Buddhism's forgotten founders.

London: Thursday 16 December 2010, 5 pm
Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Russell Square
Buddhist Forum / Centre for the Study of Japanese Religions joint seminar and UK launch
"U Dhammaloka in Tokyo: the hidden history of western Buddhist monastics". Brian Bocking, Laurence Cox.

Cork: Saturday 19 February 2011, 2.30 pm
Lecture Theatre Boole 3, University College Cork
"Dhammaloka Day" celebrating the centenary of U Dhammaloka's 1911 trial for sedition and Irish launch
Presentations by Thomas Tweed, Alicia Turner, Laurence Cox and Brian Bocking