Symposium 2017

March 25 – 26, 2017

Transnational Buddhism: Philosophical, Anthropological, and Historical Perspectives

Buddhism could arguably be considered the first world religion. As is well attested, only a few centuries after the death of its founding figure, Buddha Śākyamuni, this tradition crossed linguistic, cultural and ethnic boundaries, expanding well beyond the general area from which it emerged. Since early times Buddhism has thus shown signs of what might be termed a “transcultural propensity.” [read more]

This symposium explores the nature of transnational Buddhism in its historical and transcultural origins and its contemporary global dimensions, examining the import of this dynamic interchange for the future of Buddhist communities and scholarship. Particular attention will be paid to the role played by the Kathmandu Valley, and Nepal more broadly, as a center of intense intercultural contact for Buddhist practitioners and scholars from a variety of Buddhist traditions. [read more]

By critical and constructive examination of the phenomenon known as “Transnational Buddhism”, Kathmandu University’s Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute’s Symposium 2017 intends to shed light on the methods, assumptions, stances, implications, and challenges associated with the study and practice of Buddhism in our global, complex, and modern world.

Speakers