This lecture is about the role of the so-called Buddhist saints, charismatic monks etc. in engaging with society and lay groups around them. After an explanation about the phenomenon of living Buddhist saints and Sainthood in Thailand and Burma, There will be a short expose on the role of different charismatic monks in assisting displaced, vulnerable or marginal groups (Karen, Shan, Tai Lü, etc.) as a way of Buddhist proselytising, center-making and a general way of further merit-making and contributing to Buddhist landscapes. Further, the expose will deal with intersections of Karen Buddhism (Mon-Burmese tradition) with local Christianity. Also, the lecture will touch the role of Karen Buddhism for reconstructing lives in Thai exile. Finally, the lecture will give some personal accounts about fieldwork with Buddhist monks for interested students.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Horstmann is Associate Professor of Southeast Asian Studies at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen. He used to work in Münster, Göttingen (Max-Planck) and Mahidol University (Salaya, Thailand). He is the autor of Faith in the Future, Centering the Margins Building Noah’s Ark and many research articles on the Karen in Thailand and Burma as well as on the coexistence of Buddhists and Muslims in Southern Thailand.

Dienstag, den 14. Januar 2015

Zeit: 18 – 20 Uhr

Ort: AAI, Raum 121

Universität Hamburg
Asien-Afrika Institut
Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1,
Flügel Ost