Abstract

Angell examines African-American educator and theologian Howard Thurman’s encounters with, and appeals to, Quakerism and Buddhism, in light of Thurman’s intense emphasis on human experience. Thurman first encountered a Buddhist, possibly Chinese teacher Jia Linbin, while preaching in Oberlin, Ohio. Thurman’s relationship with Quaker theologian Rufus Jones and his mid-1930 encounters with Asian religions in South Asia are considered, as well as Thurman’s sermons on Buddhism delivered in 1950 and 1953. Angell argues that Thurman’s encounters with Buddhists were an important factor in the origin and development of Thurman’s distinctive religious philosophy focused on finding common ground and transcending divisive aspects of creeds and racial and cultural identities.