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. 

Papers and discussion will be in English. Registration for the general public will open in March, 2023. 

Call for Applications for Ph.D. students to attend the conference

The conference welcomes applications from currently enrolled Ph.D. students, at institutions within the US and abroad, to attend the conference. Special forums will highlight graduate discussion; participants will also present a very brief (1 minute) oral introduction to their Ph.D. dissertation; students will not present formal papers at the conference.

The sponsor will provide meals, partial subvention for travel and lodging, and assistance with visas for those who are accepted. We aim to accept about 20 applicants. Preference will be given to those who are farther along in their Ph.D. work and whose research topics are closer to the subject of the conference.

Applicants must fill out the short form in English and submit it by e-mail attachment sent to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 1, 2023, and ending Feb. 20, 2023. We will announce acceptances around March 15, 2023.

Further information about the conference, including speakers and abstracts (to be posted in February), will be posted on this website.

Princeton Ph.D. students should not use this application; they should register for the conference when registration for the general public opens in March.

Co-organizers

Stephen F. Teiser, Princeton University

Shih-Shan Susan Huang, Rice University

Sponsor

Glorisun Global Buddhist Network