Todays globalized society faces some of humanitys most unprecedented social and environmental challenges. Presenting new and insightful approaches to a range of these challenges, the timely volume before you draws upon individual cases of exemplary leadership from the worlds Dharma traditionsHinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism. The volume's authors refer to such exemplary leaders as beacons of Dharma, highlighting the ways in which each figure, via their inspirational life work, provide us with illuminating perspectives as we continue to confront cases of grave injustice and needless suffering in the world.Taking on difficult contemporary issues such as climate change, racial and gender inequality, industrial agriculture and animal rights, fair access to healthcare and education, and other such pressing concerns,Beacons of Dharma offers a promising and much needed contribution to our global remedial discussions. Seeking to help solve and alleviate such social and environmental issues, each of the chapters in the volume invites contemplation, inspires action, and offers a freshly invigorating source of hope.

Jeffery D. Longis professor of religion and Asian studies at Elizabethtown College and author ofA Vision for Hinduism,Jainism: An Introduction and theHistorical Dictionary of Hinduism.Christopher Patrick Milleris the Bhagwan Mallinath assistant professor of Jainism and yoga studies at Loyola Marymount University.Michael Readingis PhD candidate in comparative theology and philosophy at Claremont School of Theology, and an adjunct instructor of religious studies at Mt. St. Mary's University, Los Angeles

AcknowledgmentsIntroduction by Michael Reading and Christopher Patrick MillerService, Compassion and HumanitarianismTai Maharaj, Rebel with a Cause: Acharya Chandanajis Life of Compassion in Action by Anne VallelySwami Vivekananda and Sister Nivedita: Beacons of Dharma for India and the West by Jeffery D. LongSri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the Flavors of Bhakti by Rita Sherma Swami Jyotirmayanandas Integral Yoga: Methods Towards Service to Humanity and Enlightenment by Priyanka RamlakhanAmma: Global Mother Embracing the World with Compassionate Darshan by Sreedevi BringiThe North American Legacy of the Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi by Suzanne Schier-HappellEcology and Environmental Activism Eremitic Engagement: The Religious Body Politic of Chatral Sangye Dorji Rinpoche by Westin HarrisSri Acharya Tulsi, Anuvrat, and Eco-conscious Living by Michael ReadingParamahansa Yoganandas World Brotherhood Colonies: Models for Environmentally Sustainable and Socially Responsible Living by Christopher Patrick MillerDharma and the Promise of Sustainable Eco-systems: Vandana Shivas Innovative Interpretation of Gandhis Principle of Swadeshi by Veena HowardPeace, Knowledge and Social JusticeOpening the Heart in Anti-racism Activism: Pema Chodron and the Lojong Teachings by Judith Simmer-Brown Bhai Vir Singh: Local Sikh Poet, Global Resource by Nikky-Guninder Kaur SinghSri Chinmoys Vision of Peace by Kusumita P. PedersenBeacons of Dharma from theBiquini zhuan by Tanya StorchSinging Dharam: Transmission of Knowledge in the Sikh Sonic Path by Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa-Baker and Francesca Cassio.Conclusion by Jeffery D. LongAbout the Contributors