This workshop has been initiated by the National Taiwan University and the University of Hamburg, both of which are striving to intensify their academic collaboration. Building on their long-standing partnership, the Centers for Buddhist Studies at both universities do not only organize this workshop as an internal event, but also invite external experts to actively engage in their international exchange.
The starting point of this workshop is the phenomenon commonly referred to as socially engaged Buddhism. Over the course of the 20th century, various designations have gained traction in different contexts, such as “Engaged Buddhism” and, in the Sinosphere, renjian fojiao 人間佛教, often referred to as “Humanistic Buddhism” or “Buddhism for the Human Realm.” This development raises a number of questions that are relevant both to the historical study of Buddhism in South Asia and to contemporary Buddhist practices in East Asia.
To what extent do these modern concepts – even if they are partly inspired by Christian models of social engagement – have historical precursors that would support the view that socially engaged forms of Buddhism are organically rooted in the teachings and practices of early Buddhism in South Asia? To what extent can the forms of Buddhism that developed in twentieth-century China and in contemporary Taiwan be situated within this broader conceptual framework? And what role do these various labels play in relation to one another?
Taiwanese Buddhist organizations are currently regarded as among the most dynamic and influential actors within the global Buddhist world. One of the aims of the proposed workshop at NTU is therefore to also invite representatives of these living Buddhist traditions, thereby extending the scholarly discussion beyond academic circles to include institutions whose agendas are explicitly oriented toward social engagement.
This workshop will begin on the first day with keynote addresses, followed by discussions and a young scholars forum. The second day will consist of round tables on two main themes, during which each panelist will be asked to give an introductory statement (5 minutes) and to join in the ensuing discussions.
議程
Tuesday, September 15
Venue: Conference room, 2rd floor, College of the Liberal Arts Buliding, NTU
9:00-10:00 Welcome Roundtable
10:00-11:00 Keynote I & Discussion
Prof. Dr. Michael Zimmermann: “Compassion as strategy? Reconsidering service to others in early Buddhism”
11:00-12:00 Keynote II & Discussion
Prof. Dr. Her, Rey-Sheng (Deputy CEO, Tzu Chi Charity Foundation): “The Theory and Practice of Applied Buddhism”
12:00-14:00 Lunch time
14:00-15:00 Keynote III & Discussion
Dr. Carsten Krause: “Buddhist concepts and their proponents in dialogue with scholars”
15:00-16:00 Keynote IV & Discussion
Prof. Dr. Lau, Lawrence劉宇光 (National Chengchi University, Taiwan): “Rethinking Humanistic Buddhism (人間佛教) and Engaged Buddhism (Le bouddhisme engagé): Differences and Mutual Enrichment”
16:00-16:20 Tea Break
16:20-17:20 Young Scholar Forum
Ven. Dengrong: “Filial Piety in Early Buddhism”
Leo Koenig: “Renjian fojiao, Buddhist Scriptures, and Buddhist Academy Education: An examination of possible relationships”
18:00-20:00 Dinner for all invited workshop participants: Veget. Restaurant小蔬杭 (close to NTU)
Wednesday, September 16
Venue: Meeting room of the Dept. of History, 2rd floor, College of the Liberal Arts Buliding, NTU
9:30-11:30 Workshop Roundtable I:
“Historical legitimation and contemporary expressions of socially engaged Buddhism”
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Lin, Pei-Ying (National Chengchi University, Taiwan)
Panelists:
Prof. Dr. Ven. Chao-hwei 釋昭慧 (Hsuan Chuang University, Taiwan)
Prof. Dr. Oren Hanner (Duke Kunshan University, China)
Prof. Dr. Ven. Jiannor 見諾法師 (Luminary Buddhist Institute)
Prof. Dr. Liu, Yining 劉怡寧 (Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts)
Prof. Dr. Michael Zimmermann (University of Hamburg)
12:00-13:30 Lunch time
13:30-15:30 Workshop Roundtable II:
“On modern labels of Buddhism, their interrelationships, and their current and future relevance”
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Teng, Wei-jen (Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts)
Panelists:
Prof. Dr. Elise Anne DeVido (Tzu Chi University, Taiwan)
Prof. Dr. Her, Ray-Sheng (Deputy CEO, Tzu Chi Charity Foundation)
Dr. Carsten Krause (University of Hamburg, Germany)
Prof. Dr. Lau, Lawrence 劉宇光 (National Chengchi University, Taiwan)
15:30-16:00 Closing Session
Dinner for all invited workshop participants at the Japanese restaurant 小原田日本料理 close to NTU.