1st Edition
Cyber Zen Imagining Authentic Buddhist Identity, Community, and Practices in the Virtual World of Second Life
I. Introduction: "Logging on". Part One: "The Play between Creativity and Desire". II. Chapter One: "Liquid Salvation: A Walkthrough of Second Life Religion". III. Chapter Two: "Second Life Buddhism: The Desire for 'Real Buddhism in a Virtual World". Part Two: "Three Virtual Jewels: Self, Practice and Community". IV. Chapter Three:"Virtual Robes of Enlightenment: Fashioning a Buddhist Self in Second Life". V. Chapter Four: "Sitting on a Virtual Cushio: Second Life Buddhist Practice". VI. Chapter Five: "The Virtual Sangha: A Buddhist Cloud Community". VII. Conclusion: "Awakening in the Virtual World".
Biography
Gregory Price Grieve is Professor and Head of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He researches and teaches at the intersection of digital media, Buddhism, and the theories and methods for the study of religion.
"Cyber Zen is the first book-length ethnography of Buddhism practice in a virtual world. Grieve’s book offers an innovative theoretical approach and a fascinating exploration of the intersection of digital media, Buddhism, and popular culture. This is a valuable study of importance to anyone interested in digital religion, religion and media, Buddhism, and contemporary religion."
- Erica Baffelli, University of Manchester, UK
"Innovative virtual world spiritualties are likely to increase. With his deep understanding of traditional Buddhism and cybernetics, Grieve is well equipped as a guide through this dynamic intersection of Zen and digital media. We need more studies like this one to understand digital spirituality both in terms of contemporary culture and the evolution of religion."
- Calvin Mercer, East Carolina University
