Buddhist activist will speak here

A social activist from Thailand who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize will speak in Honolulu next weekend.

“;Greed and Need: Buddhist-Christian Social Justice Concerns”; will be the topic of Sulak Sivaraksa. His free talk at 4 p.m. next Saturday at Chaminade University's Mystical Rose Oratory is sponsored by the Yoshiaki Fujitani Interfaith Program.

Sivaraksa will sign copies of his recent book, “;The Wisdom of Sustainability: Buddhist Economics for the 21st Century,”; which will be on sale.

A dinner and reception will follow the free lecture. Wednesday is the deadline for reservations for the 6 p.m. banquet at Ching Conference Center. The cost is $50, of which $20 is tax-deductible. It includes a copy of the book. Information is available by calling Poranee Natadecha-Sponsel, 735-4822, or writing to her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Sivaraksa is considered a model of “;engaged Buddhism,”; acting out his belief in the world. He was nominated in 1993 for the Nobel Peace Prize because of his pursuit of educational and economic reform in his country. He lived abroad for several years after being charged in Thailand with “;lese majeste,”; criticism of the government that reflected badly on the monarchy.

The Thai writer and activist founded the international Seeds of Peace organization to promote peace through the teaching of Buddha. He lectures widely in the United States and Europe.

David Coleman, dean of the Chaminade Humanities and Fine Arts Department, will speak in response to his lecture.

First Muslim women explored

University of Hawaii professor Tamara Albertini will explore the lives of the first Muslim women and their roles in transmitting Islamic traditions and teachings in an April 25 lecture.

The free illustrated lecture will be at 1:30 p.m. at Shangri La, the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.

Friday is the deadline for reservations. For information, call 792-5504 or write to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Albertini, a philosophy professor who specializes in Renaissance and Islamic thought, will emphasize the lives of the prophet Muhammad's wives, daughter Fatima and granddaughter in the talk “;And Allah Answered Their Questions: The Unforgettable Stories of Islam's First Women.”; She is the author of numerous articles and chapters in volumes on Eastern philosophy and Islamic thought.