Publications
Our Academic Approach
Dialogue Journal (English)
Began in 1974 and modified in 1977. The Founder Editor was Rev. Dr. Lynn de Silva the Second Director of the Institute. Rev. Lynn expanded this Journal by inviting Rev. Dr. Aloysius Pieris, s.j. who started editing the New series of Dialogue also a well-known expert on Buddhist – Christian dialogue to assist in editing as the Asst. Editor.
After the demise of Rev. Dr. Lynn de Silva, Rev. Fr. Aloysius Pieris, s.j. acts and continues as the Editor of Dialogue Journal, up to the present day.
Dialogue now has completed 47 volumes which has subscribers in USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, India and many other countries as well. It has published articles on a wide range of topics including “The existence of God, the idea of the soul, working towards shared ethical practice, monastic life, globalization and women in religion.”
Dialogue Journal has won the hearts of the readers local and international level throughout the past 50 years and encouraged various groups to study further in order to foster dialogue between Christians and Buddhists and also with other faiths with a view to attain a deeper and sympathetic understanding of the truth through mutual awareness of one another’s convictions on the basis of scholarly study, in the hope that mutual understanding will dispel prejudices and ignorance and increase the spiritual stature of all concerned. Initially this was published on a quarterly basis which was one of the first theological journals on Buddhist – Christian encounter. At present this is published once a year.
2. Gleanings Magazine (English)
Earlier this was a quarterly publication. Now it is printed twice a year. It serves as an instrument to communicate the ideas and concerns of the Ecumenical movement by making its values and approaches to the world Church and to the local Community.
3. Chinthana (Sinhala)
Chinthana was started in 1984 by Rt. Rev. Kenneth Fernando the third Director as a quarterly publication which is the only ecumenically oriented Sinhala publication in Sri Lanka. It focuses on the issues related to social, economical, political, cultural and church situation in Sri Lanka. Now it is published twice a year.
‘Chinthana Paper’ tries to highlight some issues that are important from the point of view of the Christian faith and the ecumenical perspective, in order to sustain democracy with justice in the life of our people.
Objectives of Gleanings and Chinthana
• To present new ideas and developments emerging within the ecumenical movement and the dialogue experience to the Christian Community in Sri Lanka.
• To provide a forum for Christian thinkers and writers to express their ideas to enrich the wider intellectual discoverers amongst ordinary Christians.
• To help the Christians to recognise the need to integrate fully in the life of the nation in the context of indigenous culture in a multi-religious society.
4. Occasional Publications (English and Sinhala)
The Institute publishes occasional papers on study materials covering current issues such as Ecology, Ethnicity, Politics, Economy etc.
5. Original Books and Translations (English and Sinhala)
The Institute publishes books based on research materials on Religion, Ecumenical concerns and Human Rights and other relevant issues. Some of these publications serve as text books in the University Courses on Christianity and comparative religion.
Some of the Titles of the publications are as follows.
• Buddhism – Beliefs and Practices in Sri Lanka – Rev. Dr. Lynn de Silva (English and Sinhala) - Published in 1974/1980
• The Problem of Self in Buddhism & Christianity – Rev. Dr. Lynn de Silva (English)
• Mission, Evangelism and Politics – Rt. Rev. Lakshman Wickremasinghe (Sinhala)
• Radical Traditions – Sri Lanka Experience – Fr. Nihal Abeysinghe (English) – Published in 1985
• Social Teaching of World Council of Churches – Fr. Nihal Abeysinghe
• Church and State Relations – Rev. Dr. Bastiaan Wielanga, Rev. Dalston Forbes OMI - Published in 1990
• Liberating Asian Spirituality – In Collaboration with Sri Lanka Association of Theologians.
• Integrity of Creation – How humanity is destroying the Environment – Edited by Jill Newsham - Published in 1991
• Selected Essays on Inter faith Dialogue by Rev. Lynn de Silva – Edited by Marshal Fernando - Published in 19XX