![Massimo Rondolino, Carroll University faculty]()
A book by a Carroll University professor has been recognized for excellence by the Society for Buddhist-Christian studies.
Dr. Massimo Rondolino, an assistant professor of philosophy, is the author of Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Hagiographical Strategies, an exploration of the comparative study of religious traditions and cultures. In the book, Rondolino focuses on the early sources on the medieval Christian Saint Francis of Assisi and the Tibetan Buddhist Milarepa.
“The book is both a defense of the comparative study of religious traditions and cultures (which has been heavily criticized in the past 30 years as part of post-colonial and post-modern critiques), and an attempt at understanding the social and ideological processes behind the making of ‘saints’ and notions of ‘sainthood,’” said Rondolino. “In a globalized world, ever more gripped by nationalistic polarizing tensions, being able to recognize what cultures and peoples have in common, is, in my view, crucial to the mutual recognition and acceptance of our differences. On the one hand, the book is a contribution towards this goal. On the other hand, it is a historically and philologically grounded response to all criticism of cross-cultural comparison.”
The Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies supports activities related to the comparative study of, and the practical interaction between, Buddhism and Christianity, whether by groups or individuals. The award, the 2018 Frederick Streng Book Award for excellence in Buddhist-Christian Studies, will be presented to Rondolino at the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion in Denver, Colo., on Nov. 17.