[Buddha-l] Buddhism and Diaspora Conference, May 14-16, University of Toronto Scarborough

[JKirkpatrick]

X-posted. 
List folks in eastern Canada might want to attend this
conference. 

Sometimes the conference topic occurs on this list. Stephen
Batchelor has worked on
producing a version of Buddhism based on the Pali texts that he
thinks is different
from Asian Buddhism, more useful/appropriate for people not
reared in an Asian Buddhist culture. This is the leit-motif of
his latest book, a provocative work of revision indeed. I was
blown over by some of the speculations he came up with, and
over-all inspired by his vision for a contemporary Buddhism.
Hope a few more list denizens will read the book (Confession of a
Buddhist Atheist) 
so we can discuss it here.

Joanna K.

_______________________________________________



H-ASIA
May 7, 2010

Buddhism and Diaspora Conference, University of Toronto
Scarborough, May 14-16, 2010
*****************************************************************
*******
From: Sarah Richardson <sarah.aoife at gmail.com>

The Tung Lin Kok Yuen Conference: Buddhism and Diaspora

Friday May 14- Sunday May 16, 2010

The University of Toronto Scarborough

This international and interdisciplinary conference will examine
the role religion, and specifically Buddhism, plays within
diasporic communities. Communities like Chinese Buddhists,
Tibetans, Newars, Sinhalese, and many others have brought with
them, translated, or alternately reformulated specific types of
Buddhism as crucial pieces in the ongoing negotiation of their
cultural and social identities. In this context, the conference
inquires whether there have been or are currently specific ways
that Buddhism has answered the challenges, problems, and
expectations that accompany displacement and relocation.

This conference will question the role diaspora has had in the
history and self-perception of Buddhism through the ages, both
within Asia and during its more modern spread to other parts of
the world. This can prompt us to examine how Buddhism has figured
in developing and changing notions related to authenticity,
tradition, ethnicity, belonging, nation, and landscape, in the
light of displacement, exile, violence, travel, and integration.

For schedule details please see:
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~humdiv/TLKY/upcomingevents.htm

Questions about this event may be sent to:
tlkyconf at utsc.utoronto.ca


Keynote/Public Lectures (FREE):

Two keynote/public lectures will shape this conference, and are
free and open to the public.

Victor Hori (McGill University): "Western Buddhism: An Ethnic
Religion"
May 14, 7:00 pm, University of Toronto Scarborough
AA112 (Arts & Administration Building)

Much of the recent writing on contemporary Buddhism concerns the
emerging development of Western Buddhism (also called American
Buddhism, Modern Buddhism and New Buddhism). Writers on Western
Buddhism emphasize its historical uniqueness and sharply
distinguish it from Asian Buddhism (also called Ethnic Buddhism,
Traditional Buddhism and Old Buddhism).  This keynote address
first questions whether Western Buddhism is as historically
unique and as sharply different from traditional Asian Buddhism
as it claims to be. It further asks what ideological assumptions
motivate this vision of Western Buddhism as sharply distinguished
from Asian culture and prior Buddhist history.


Will Tuladhar-Douglas (University of Aberdeen): "Diaspora
Buddhists Under a Scottish Nationalist Government"
May 15, 5:00 pm, University of Toronto Scarborough
AA112 (Arts & Administration Building)

This lecture will examine the interactions between the devolved
and now Scottish Nationalist government, new immigrant
communities, and the second (or even third-generation) Anglo
Buddhist communities of Scotland, exploring this new and
genuinely unique adaptation of religion within this fascinating
diaspora situation.

To register for the Keynote/Public lectures please go to: 
http://www.aeplive.ca

This conference is generously sponsored by an endowment for the
advancement of Buddhist studies, made possible by a gift from the
Tung Lin Kok Yuen Foundation (Hong Kong) to the University of
Toronto Scarborough.

Sarah Richardson
University of Toronto