Call for Applications: 2019 International Summer Program of Lecture Series, Conference, Forum, and Fieldwork on Buddhism & East Asian Cultures

2-10th Aug 2019
Xi’an 西安, China
Deadline: 30th Apr 2019

The Association for the Promotion of Xuanzang-associated Culture 玄奘文化促進會in Xi’an 西安, Shaanxi province, the From the Ground Up project based at the University of British Columbia (www.frogbear.org), Guiyuan Monastery 歸元寺 in Xi’an, Shaanxi, and the Jintai Academy 金臺書院, Shaanxi, cordially invite applications for a 9-day (August 2-10, 2019) program of lecture series, conference/forum, and fieldwork on Buddhism and East Asian Cultures at the Jintai Academy in Zhen’an, Shaanxi, China.

I. Venue: Jintai Academy

II. Schedule (August 2-10, 2019)
• August 2, 2019: Registration, Opening Ceremony, & international conference on East Asian Esoteric Buddhism;
• August 3, 2019: international conference on East Asian Esoteric Buddhism, Occasional Lecture 1;
• August 4, 2019: Occasional Lecture 2-5, Young Scholars’ Forum (Panel 1);
• August 5-7, 2019: Seminar Series (1-3); Taste of the Dharma Series;
• August 8, 2019: Young Scholars’ Forum (Panels 2-5) & Closing Ceremony;
• August 9, 2019: Tour of famed religious sites;
• August 10, 2019: Departure.

III. Four-part Lecture Series
The program organizers have invited three international scholars to conduct a three-part lecture series related to Buddhism and East Asian Culture, with each part composed of three consecutive 120-minute lectures with a general theme (over three days). These three speakers and their lecture themes are:

• Jinhua Chen 陳金華 (University of British Columbia 加拿大英屬哥倫比亞大學): Chan Buddhism & Esoteric Buddhism: New Material and Perspectives 禅密交涉史:新資料與新視野;

• Lucia Dolce 鐸鷺霞 (SOAS, University of London 英國倫敦大學亞非學院): Dual Bodies, Embryos and Tantric Initiatory Practices: Reassessing Japanese Esoteric Buddhism through Medieval Manuscripts 雙體、雙胎與密教授法實踐:通過中古寫本來重估日本密教;

• John Kieschnick 柯嘉豪 (Stanford University 美國斯坦佛大學): Material monasticism and Monastic Material: Two Approaches to Monks and Nuns “物華僧寶”:寺院生活研究的兩種材料與路徑.

This three-part lecture series will be accompanied by five lectures by five China-based scholars on Buddhism and East Asian cultures.

IV. Four Additional Projects: In addition to this four-part intensive lecture series, this program also sponsors the following four projects:

• An International Conference on East Asian Esoteric Buddhism, titled “Esoteric Buddhism & East Asian Society,” to be held in Xi’an and the Jintai Academy in Zhen’an between August 2 and August 3, 2019 (conference information announced at http://frogbear.org/cfp-international-conference-on-esoteric-buddhism-and-east-asian-society/).

• An International Young Scholars Forum on Buddhism and East Asian Cultures (August 4 and 8 at the Jintai Academy). Excellent articles may be recommended to academic journals for publication. They include the Fojiao wenxian yanjiu 佛教文獻研究 (Studies on Buddhist Texts), Foxue yanjiu佛學研究 (Buddhist Studies), Fojiao shi yanjiu 佛教史研究(Historical Studies of Buddhism), Studies in Chinese Religions, edited by Prof. Fang Guangchang 方廣錩, Prof. Shengkai 聖凱, Prof. Sun Yinggang 孫英剛, and Prof. Jinhua Chen 陳金華, respectively.

• Taste of the Dharma: a series of 1-2 hour sessions providing monastic experiences, including seated meditation, tea-ceremony and other temple rituals.

• Occasional Visits to Renowned Local Historical Sites (especially Buddhist and other religious temples and shines) in Xi’an and the Zhen’an area (August 9).

V. Applications: Participants are required to take part in all of the activities supported by this program, including the four-part lecture series, the regular conference and the Young Scholar Forum (paper presentations are optional, but attendance is required), field trips, monastic experience session, etc. Senior undergraduate students and graduate students (MA and doctoral) specializing in any Buddhist tradition(s) or East Asian religions, and postdoctoral fellows working on relevant fields, are encouraged to apply. Please direct applications and inquiries to buddhistseminarandfieldwork@gmail.com. Please submit applications before April 30, 2019. Each application should include (1) an application form (to be provided upon request via the above email), (2) an updated curriculum vitae, (3) one writing sample, and (4) a reference letter (to be emailed by the referee directly to the above email address).
VI. Program Expenses: Successful candidates will be exempted from all tuition fees. Program organizers will also provide free boarding (lodging and meals) in China during the program period, although participants are expected to cover the costs for the transportation between their home cities and Mount Wutai; and an administration fee of 1,300RMB≈US$200.