*Call for Papers *
*A Conference on Buddhism and Social Justice
*
23-25 April 2014, Leiden University
* *
Moving away from
a common perception of Buddhism as intrinsically a
tradition of peace and
justice, our project—based at Leiden
University—seeks to explore the various
ways in which historically Buddhist
societies have shaped, transmitted, and
adapted Buddhist ideas and ideals
about equality, fairness, and freedom. We
are further interested in how (if
at all) such societies have instantiated
these ideas and ideals.
The intent of the conference “Buddhism and Social
Justice” is to gather
scholars to discuss Classical and modern Buddhist
notions of justice and
their real world reflexes. We will be most centrally
concerned with
Buddhist visions—implicit or explicit—of ideal (just)
societies and the
role of human action, as these appear, for instance, in the
realms of
freedom and its constraints, social hierarchy and mobility,
economic
opportunity, and power and self-determination.
The full text
of the initial proposal upon which our project was based, and
other
information about our research team, and the conference itself, can
be
consulted on the project’s website: www.buddhismandsocialjustice.com
This Call for Papers
invites scholars interested in these issues from a
descriptive, rather than
prescriptive, point of view to come together and
share their expertise,
findings and questions. Papers dealing with any
region within Asia and any
time period are welcome.
Applicants are requested to forward to
conference@buddhismandsocialjustice.com
the following information BEFORE 15
August 2013:
· A title and
abstract of approximately 300 words, describing the
scope of your
contribution and its sources.
· A short CV
Applications will
be reviewed by 1 October 2013 and successful applicants
notified immediately
thereafter.
While lodging and food will be provided, we regret that we
are in principle
unable to offer travel funding for participants. In
exceptional cases
however we may be able to arrange some assistance in travel
costs.
--
J. Silk
Instituut Kern / Universiteit
Leiden
Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
Johan Huizinga
Building, Room 1.37
Doelensteeg 16
2311 VL Leiden
The
Netherlands
copies of my publications may be found at
http://www.buddhismandsocialjustice.com/silk_publications.html
