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 and is now open for students, faculty, and the general public. Pre-registration is for in-person attendance only; Zoom or remote options will not be available. The registration deadline is May 29, 2023.