Action Dharma charts the emergence of a new chapter in an ancient faith - the rise of social service and political activism in Buddhist Asia and the West. Fourteen new essays treat the historical origins, global range, teachings and practices, and leaders and organizations that make up the latest turning of the Dharma. Environmentalism and peace walks through the minefields of Southeast Asia, the future of the 'untouchables' of Japan, and outreach to minorities and inmates of the criminal justice system in the West are some of the challenging topics considered. Christopher Queen is Dean of students for continuing education and Lecturer on the study of religion in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University. He is editor and contributor to Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Liberation Movements in Asia (With Sallie B, King), American Buddhism: Methods and Findings in recent Scholarship (with Duncan Ryuken Williams) and Engaged Buddhism in the West. Charles Prebish is Professor of Religious Studies at the Pennsylvania State Univesrity and founding co-editor of the online J ournal of Buddhist Ethics . He is author and editor of eleven books including Buddhist Monastic Discipline , American Buddhism , Historical Dictionary of Buddhism , A Survey of Vinaya Literature , T he Faces of Buddhism in America and Luminous Passage: The Practice and Study of Buddhism in America . Damien Keown is Senior Lecturer in Indian Religion at Goldmsiths College, University of London,and founding co-editor of the online Journal of Buddhist Ethics. His publications include The Nature of Buddhist Ethics , Buddhism and Bioethics and Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction . Part 1. Historical Roots Part 2. Asian Developments Part 3. Western Frontiers Part 4. Three Critiques