Ritual and Materiality in Buddhism and Asian Religions

Frontispiece of block print ritual text Cibei daochang chanfa 慈悲道場懺法 (Hangzhou, 1621-1722). Courtesy of the East Asian Library and the Gest Collection, Princeton University Library

June 13, 4 pm - June 15, 1 pm, 2023

International Conference at Princeton University

In-person conference hosted by Princeton University, Buddhist Studies Workshop. Sponsored by the Glorisun Global Buddhist Network. 

Performance, ritualized actions, and praxis are central to Buddhism and the religions of Asia, and recently, scholarship has begun to appreciate the importance of objects and the human body in ritual. This conference is intended to foster work that explores the connections between ritual and different forms of materiality, including manuscripts, printed liturgies, paintings, images, statues, talismans, other ritual implements and technologies, and bodily engagement. 

The keynote lecture (June 13) will be given by LIU Shu-fen (Academia Sinica). Respondents for the panels (June 14-15) will be Laurel Kendall (American Museum of Natural History) and Justin McDaniel (University of Pennsylvania). 21 scholars from Asia, Europe, and North America will discuss their papers; details are under Abstracts and Participants. In addition, 20 Ph.D. students from across the globe have been accepted to take part in the discussion.

Discussion (in English) will focus not on panelists’ presentations but on pre-distributed papers, which will be made available to those who pre-register.

Pre-registration is required for students, faculty, and the general public. Pre-registration is for in-person attendance only; Zoom or remote options will not be available.

Conference registration is now closed. The registration deadline was May 29, 2023.

Keynote Speaker

LIU Shu-fen,
Academia Sinica

Discussants

Laurel Kendall,
American Museum of Natural History

Justin McDaniel,
University of Pennsylvania

Co-organizers

Stephen F. Teiser, Princeton University

Shih-shan Susan Huang, Rice University

Sponsors

Glorisun Global Buddhist Network Sponsors