Full Name: Victor Bruce Matthews

EDUCATION 
 
•   Acadia University (1959-63) (B.A. Honours).
•  Oxford University (1963-65) (B.A. Honours, M.A. 1969).
•  Trinity College, Toronto (1965-66) (S.T.B. Honours).
•  McMaster University (1968-72) (Ph. D. 1974).
  
EXPERIENCE

•  Teaching assistantship in Sanskrit and World Religions, McMaster University (1968-70, 1972).
•  Principal, Thorneloe College, Laurentian University, Ontario (1972-76).
•  Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Toronto (1976-79).
•  Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Acadia University, Nova Scotia (1979 - 84).
•  C.B. Lumsden Professor of Comparative Religion, Acadia University (1984-2006).
•  Dean of Arts, Acadia University (2001- 2006).
•  Professor Emeritus, Acadia University (2006 - ).

EDITORIAL APPOINTMENTS

•  Associate Editor, The Review/Revue of the Canadian Asian Studies Association, from 1979 - 83.
•  Board of Editors, Studies in Religion/ Sciences Religieuses, 1982-1985.

LEARNED SOCIETIES
APPOINTMENTS

•  President, Canadian Council for Southeast Asian Studies/Conseil canadien des études sur I’Asie du Sud-Est, 1983- 85, 1989 - 91.
•  President, Canadian Asian Studies Association/Association canadienne des études asiatiques, 1988-91.

OTHER

•  Member, International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), appointed to review the work of Sri Lanka’s Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Alleged Serious Violations of Human Rights. Beginning January 2007.

ACADEMIC AWARDS (all external awards)

•  Commonwealth Scholarship, University of Ceylon, 1970-71.
•  Canada Council (Standard Research Grant), S75-0050 (Sinhalese Buddhist Attitudes Towards Parliamentary Democracy 1975.
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-77-0533 (The Development of Buddhist Political Thought in South Asia) 1978.
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-80-0589 (Sinhalese-Ceylon Tamil Relations in the post-Development Council Phase in Sri Lanka) 1980.
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-83-0017 (Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka) 1983.
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-84-1163 (Religious Conflict and Ethnicity in Ceylon Tamil Separation Goals from 1970 to the present) 1984.
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-86-0706 (Ethnic Strife in Sri Lanka) 1986.
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-88-0031 (The Peace Process in Sri Lanka: Consequences of the 1987 Indo-Lankan Accord) 1988.
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-90-0083 (The Political Party System and Extra-Parliamentary Action in Sri Lanka) 1990 (a five-year grant).
•  SSHRC (Standard Research Grant), 410-2000-0175 (The theo-political dimension of Buddhism in Myanmar/Burma) 2000 (a three-year grant).
 

PUBLICATIONS

Books

•  Craving and Salvation, A Study in Buddhist Soteriology. Waterloo: Wilfred Laurier University Press, 1983.
•  Religion, Values and Development in Southeast Asia (Joint editor with Judith Nagata). Singapore: Institute of  Southeast Asian Studies, 1986.
•  The Quality of Life in Southeast Asia: Transforming Social, Political and Natural Environments, (Editor), Centre for East Asian Studies, McGill University, for the Canadian Asian Studies Association, 1992.
•  Religion, Culture and Political Economy in Burma, (Editor), Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia, Monograph No. 3 (1993).
•  Buddhism in Canada (Editor and chief contributor). London: Routledge, 2006

Articles (all in refereed journals or books)

•  “The Sinhalese Buddhist Attitude towards Parliamentary Democracy”, Ceylon Journal of Historical Studies, Vol. 6, No. 2, August, 1977.
•  “Recent Events in the Politics of Sri Lanka”, Pacific Affairs,  Vol. 51, No. 1, Spring, 1978.
•  “The Problem of Communalism in Contemporary Burma and  Sri Lanka”, International Journal, Vol. 34, No. 3, Summer, 1979.
•  “District Development Councils in Sri Lanka”, Asian Survey, Vol. 22, No. 11, November 1982.
•  “The Challenge of Modernity in Theravada Buddhism”, Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses, Vol. 11, No.4, 1982.
•  “The Situation in Jaffna, and How It Came About”, The Round Table (Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs, London) 290, 1984.
•  “The Sri Lankan Buddhist Philosophy of History and Its Relationship to the National Question”, Ethnic Studies, Vol.  III, No. 2, 1985.
•  “Religious Minorities in Myanmar: Hints of the Shadow”, Contemporary South Asia, Vol. 4, No. 3, 1995.
•  “Post-Classical Developments in the Theravada Concepts of Karma and Rebirth”, Karma and Rebirth (ed. R.W. Neufeldt), State University of New York Press, N.Y., 1985.
•  “Radical Conflict and the Rationalization of Violence in Sri Lanka”, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 59, No. 1, Spring, 1986.
•  “The Devolution of Power in Sri Lanka:  Problems of Implementation”, The Round Table, London, 301, 1987.
•  “This Great Island: Sri Lanka - Hubris and Nemesis”, Current Affairs (Australia), Vol. 65, No.6, Nov. 1988.
•  “Sri Lanka in 1988: Seeds of the Accord”, Asian Survey, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, Feb., 1989.
•  “Sinhala Cultural and Buddhist Patriotic Organizations in Contemporary Sri Lanka”, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 61, No. 4, Winter, 1989.
•  “The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Politics of the Underground in Sri Lanka”, The Round Table, London, 312, 1989.
•  “Sri Lanka in 1989: Peril and Good Luck”, Asian Survey, Vol. XXX, No. 2, Feb., 1990.
•  “Religious Studies in the Context of Interdisciplinary Studies”,  Religious Studies: Issues, Prospects and Proposals, ed. Klaus Klostermaier, Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1991.
•  “Religion in Asian Life and Society”, Asia and the Pacific, Vol. 1, ed. R. H. Taylor, London: Facts On File, 1991.
•  “Trouble in Sri Kotha: Strains and Perils of Democracy in Sri Lanka”, The Round Table, London, 322, 1992.
•  “The Place of Religion in Vietnam Today,” Buddhist Christian Studies, University of Hawaii, Vol. 12, 1992.
•  “Myanmar's Agony: The Struggle for Democracy”, The Round  Table, London, 325, 1993.
•  “Buddhism Under a Military Regime: The Iron Heel in Burma”, Asian Survey, Vol. XXX111, No. 4, April, 1993.
•  “Devolution of Power in Sri Lanka”; The Round Table, London, 330, 1994.
•  “University Education in Sri Lanka in Context: Consequences  of Deteriorating Standards”, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 68, No. 1, Spring, 1995.
•  “Myanmar’s Human and Economic Crisis and Its Regional Implications,” Southeast Asian Affairs 2006. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Singapore: 2006.
•  “Buddhist Activism in Sri Lanka”, David Westerlund (ed.), Questioning the Secular State: the Worldwide Resurgence of Religion in Politics, London: Hurst, 1996.
•  “Counter – insurgency and the State in Modern Sri Lanka”, Paul Rich, Richard Stubbs (eds.), The Counter – Insurgent State: Guerilla Warfare and State Building in the Twentieth Century, London: Macmillan, 1997.
•  “The struggle between the Old Culture and the New Globalism in Southeast Asia”, Rodolphe De Koninck (ed.), L’Asie du sud-est face à la mondialisation: les nouveaux champs d ‘analyse, Quebec, Université Laval, 1997.
•  “The Present Fortune of Tradition–bound Authoritarianism in Myanmar”, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 71, No 1, Spring, 1998.
•  “Burma/Myanmar. Government à la mode - From SLORC to SPDC: A Change of Public Dress-Up and Manner?” The Round Table, London, 349, January, 1999.
•  “Burma: Anniversaries and Other Dates”, Seeds of Peace (Bangkok-Institute of Engaged Buddhism), Vol. 15, No. 1, January, 1999.
•  “Buddhism and Politics in Burma”, Ian Harris (ed.), Buddhism and Politics in Twentieth-Century Asia, London: Pinter, 1999.
•  “Buddhist Studies in Canada” in Donald K. Swearer, Somparn Promta (eds.), The State of Buddhist Studies in the World, 1972-1997, Bangkok: Chualalongkorn University Press, 2000.
•  “Ethnic and Religious Diversity: Myanmar’s Unfolding Nemesis”, Visiting Researchers Series No.3, 2001, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, 2001.
•  “Myanmar: Beyond International Relief?”, Southeast Asian Affairs 2000, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, 2001.
•  “In Pursuit of an ‘Interim Administration’ in Sri Lanka’s North and East: Opportunity or ‘Peace Trap’?”, The Round Table, London, 373, January 2004.
•  “Politics and Buddhism”, Encyclopedia of Religion, 2nd Edition. New York: Macmillan, 2004.
•  “Myanmar”, Encyclopedia of the World’s Minorities. New York: Taylor and Francis, 2004.
•  “Religious and Ideological Intransigence among the Sinhalese” and “Tightening Social Cohesion and Excluding ‘Others’ among the Sinhalese”, S.H.Hasbullah, Barrie M.Morrison (eds.), Sri Lankan Society in an Era of Globalization: Struggling to Create a New Social Order. New Delhi: Sage, 2005.
•  “Myanmar’s Human and Economic Crisis and Its Regional Implications,” “Southeast Asian Affairs 2006. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian  Studies. Singapore: 2006.
•  “Christian Evangelical Conversions and the Politics of Sri Lanka”, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 80:3, Autumn, 2007 (in press).
•  “Buddhist Thought and Jesus” in Evans, Craig A (ed.), Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus, New York: Routledge, (for March 2008).

•  PAPERS READ
•  “Challenge and Change in Theravada Buddhism”, the International Association for the History of Religion, Winnipeg, August, 1980.
•  “Introduction to the Buddhist Tradition”.  Address delivered on the occasion of the visit of the Dalai Lama to Fredericton, N.B., October, 1980.
•  “Buddhism and National Development.” The Siam Society, Bangkok, Thailand, July, 1981.
•  “Buddhism, Modernization and National Purpose”. International Conference of the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies and the C.C.S.E.A.S., Singapore, June 1982.
•  “Buddhist Paradigm Shifts in Sri Lankan History”. East-West Religions in Encounter Conference, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, January, 1984.
•  “Religion and Politics in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka”. Association of Asian Studies, Washington, D.C., March, 1984.
•  “Islam as a Minority Religion in Asia.” Conseil canadien des études sur l’Asie du Sud-Est, Université Laval, November, 1986.
•  “Sri Lanka and Its Prospect” and “Politics and Communalism:  the Case of Malaysia.” Public lectures at Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, December, 1987.
•  “Is there a Crisis in Authority in the Sri Lankan Sangha?” International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Colombo, March, 1989.
•  “The Politics of Fundamentalism: Radical Religious Engagement or the Unity of Culture, Politics and Everyday Life”. The William Morris Memorial Lecture, Lakehead University, March, 1990.
•  “The Place of Religion in Vietnam.”  International Congress of Asian and North African Studies, University of Toronto, August, 1990.
•  “The Militarization of Politics, Ethnic Communalism and the Cult of the Anti-rational in Contemporary Myanmar (Burma).” Canadian Council for South East Asian Studies, York University, Toronto, October, 1991.
•  “Democratic Institutions and Elections in Sri Lanka”. Association of Asian Studies, Washington, D.C., April, 1992.
•  “Buddhism and Politics in Contemporary Burma”, Burma Studies Group, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, November, 1992.
•  “The Link Between Development and Human Rights in the Sri Lanka Context”. South Asia Partnership, Toronto, June, 1993.
•  “Buddhist Activism in Sri Lanka”, Canadian Asian Studies Association, Ottawa, June, 1993.
•  “ASEAN and the Policy of 'Constructive Engagement' with Myanmar,” International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Colombo, June, 1994.
•  “Counter-Insurgency and a Small State: the Case of Sri Lanka”, CASA, Montreal, June, 1995.
•  “The Role of the Military in Sri Lanka”, 5th International Conference on Sri Lanka, Durham, New Hampshire, August, 1995.
•  “Ethnicity, Culture and Politics: a South Asian Perspective”, CIDA, Ottawa, December, 1995.
•  “Reflections on an emergency: Sri Lanka’s imperiled Ceylon Tamil community”, at a conference sponsored by the World Tamil Organization, Toronto, March 1996, entitled ‘The Role of the International Community in Resolving the National Conflict in Sri Lanka’.
•  “The Burma - Thailand Natural Gas Pipeline: Environmental and Social Costs”, Canadian Consortium for Asia Pacific Security, Halifax, March, 1996.
•  “Buddhist Studies in Canada” and “The Future of Buddhist Studies in the World”, at the International Conference on the State of Buddhist Studies in the World, 1971 - 1996 Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, December, 1997.
•  “The Levant Today”, Arabic Society, Dalhousie University, January, 1998.
•  “Myanmar at the cross-roads”, presentation to the Burma Round Table, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Canadian Center for Foreign Policy Research), May, 1999.
•  “Buddhism and the Challenge of Religious Pluralism”, Bishop's University, Lennoxville, Learned Societies, June, 1999.
•  “Burma at the Millennium: The Price of Freedom”, at a conference entitled ‘The Democracy Movement in Burma since 1962’, organized by the Center for Pacific Asia Studies at Stockholm University, Sweden, September, 1999.
•  “War and Peace in Sri Lanka: Policy Options for Canada”, presentation for a Roundtable Discussion on Sri Lanka, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, March, 2000.
•  “The strange case of modernization in Burma,” for the Globalization and the Transformation of Asian Societies Seminar Series, the University of British Columbia, October, 2001.
•  “Political Change and National identity in the Union of Myanmar”, at ‘Communities in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Responses’, Joint Northwest Regional Consortium for Southeast Asian Studies and the Canadian Council for Southeast Asian Studies, Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives, University of Victoria, October, 2001.
•  “A narrow margin: democracy, political stability and disorder in Sri Lanka”, Workshop on Democratization in Latin America and South Asia, University of British Columbia, Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, April 2002.
•  “Reconstruction and healing in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s Civil War.” Canadian Asian Studies Association, Dalhousie University, June 2003.
•  “Buddhism and Resistance in Burma”. The Burma-Tibet Project, Noyes Hall, University of Chicago, April, 2005.
•  “Myanmar, the UN and ASEAN: the question of constructive engagement or intervention”. Canadian Association of Southeast Asian Studies, York University, Toronto, October, 2005.
•  “Christian Evangelical Conversions and the Politics of Sri Lanka” (“La conversion évangélique et la politique au Sri Lanka”). Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, York University, Toronto, June, 2006.
•  “Theravada Buddhism: Religious Theory and Political Practice”, Keynote Address. International Conference on “Religion, Conflict and Development”, Universitat Passau, Passau, Germany, June 2007.