Symposium: Buddhism in Thailand and Laos — The “Thaitag” of Winter Semester 2015/16
Saturday, 12. December 2015
Asia-Africa-Institute, Universität Hamburg, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, East Wing, Room 121

Thailand and Laos are countries where Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion. It has shaped Thai and Lao culture and society more than any other religion during the last seven or eight centuries at least. The history and practice of Buddhism in Thailand and Laos has been the focus of research at the Department of Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia over many years. This workshop presents the result of recent research carried out by PhD and MA students. Numata visiting professor Dr. Papod Assavavirulhakarn (Chulalongkorn University), one of the most prominent scholars in the field of Buddhist Studies in Thailand, will give an introductory talk to stimulate further discussion, and Dr. Elisabeth Haderer will introduce treasures of Thai Buddhist art.

13:00 h  Opening Ceremony

13:15 h   Keynote by Prof. Dr. Prapod Assavavirhulhakarn

14:15 h   Khamvone Boulyaphonh, MA

The Reappearance of the Present Buddha Gautama and the End of Buddhism International relations of the Lao Sangha: The participation of the Lao Sangha in the Chaṭṭha Sangāyana and the Buddha Jayanti

15:00 h   Coffee break

15:15 h   Dr. Elisabeth Haderer

16:00 h   Lars Brandt, BA

16:45 h   Bounleuth Sengsoulin, MA

Buddhist Art Treasures from Thailand Phra Buddhadasa Bikkhu’s “Dhammic Socialism“: A Buddhist approach to tackle market failure Buddhist manuscript culture in Laos on the road to modernity: Reflections on anisong manuscripts from Luang Prabang

17:30 h   Closing remarks

17:45 h   End of the symposium

For questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Volker Grabowsky:
volker.grabowsky@uni-hamburg.de; +49 40 42838-3675