In the following article is the program for the International Conference
Organizers: Ghent Centre for Buddhist Studies (GCBS) & Royal Museum of Mariemont
Timing: October 17–19, 2024
Location: Royal Museum of Mariemont, Belgium
Śākyamuni Buddha, the founding figure of Buddhism, has played a profoundly significant role across South and East Asian – and more recently also Western – cultures and societies. Despite his central role, no single biographical account of his life is universally accepted by the diverse Buddhist traditions. Instead, the narratives of Śākyamuni’s life vary widely, reflecting the doctrinal and ritual diversity present across the different regions and schools of Asian Buddhism. In the absence of universally accepted textual and visual sources, even the key events of the Buddha’s life have been subject to numerous interpretations across both textual and visual media throughout Buddhism’s geographic spread and doctrinal evolution.
This conference aims to explore variations and interpretations of the Buddha’s life stories as found in diverse textual and visual materials. We will approach these narratives from an interdisciplinary perspective, encompassing fields such as religious studies, philology, literary studies, archaeology, and art history, among others.
Please note that while entry to the conference is free, registration is mandatory and must be completed before the 12th of October. To register, please visit the following links:
Practical information: The Royal Museum of Mariemont is located in Belgium, approximately 50 km south of Brussels. The nearest airport is Brussels South Charleroi Airport, and the closest train stations are Morlanwelz and La Louvière-Sud.
Laisser un commentaire