N e w s & A n n o u c e m e n t s

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The 2nd International Association of Buddhist Universities Academic Conference

15-19 December 2011

MCU, Thailand

Call for Papers

………………………….

• Main Theme:  Buddhist Philosophy and Praxis
• Dates: 15-19 December 2011
• Venue: Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand
• Keynote Speaker: (1) Prof. David Kalupahana (Hawaii) (2) Assoc. Prof. John Makransky (Boston)  (3) Prof. Jose Cabezon (Santa Barbara, CA) (4) Prof. Oliver Abeynayake (Sri Lanka)

1. Buddhist Philosophy and Meditation Practices: (Panel Leader: TBA) Papers for this session should include advanced studies related to philosophical issues in meditation practices; dialogues on meditation differences in the traditions; theological or cosmological issues and any resultant meditative attainments – what is next after these realizations?  This panel aims for a serious discussion of deep philosophical points actualized as possible or beneficial, with evidence of transformation.  
2. Unifying Buddhist Philosophical Views: (Panel leader: Prof. T. Endo, Hong Kong University) Papers accepted into this session should include advanced studies for searching the diverse Buddhist traditions and philosophical views (Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana) for possible common grounds.  Suggested areas of research may include one or more of the following: where are the connections, possibilities and / or methods to actualize the possibility of unifying them; any evidence of such endeavors; the role and the implications of such exercise for the advancement of Buddhist studies; and how university students can benefit from such conception or research.  
3. Teaching Dhamma/Dharma in New Lands: (Panel Leader: Jamie Cresswell) Papers for this session should focus on ways in which the Dhamma/Dharma is integrating into the societies and cultures of predominantly Christian countries. The papers should address sociological and cultural issues and not merely ritualistic and practice based aspects of Buddhist traditions.  For example, studies pertaining towards: gender, family, ethnic issues and dissemination; intra-Buddhist relations; Buddhism and Secularism; Buddhist relationships with the host-country’s social, political and religious culture; and Buddhism and the media.  Additionally, papers on teaching Buddhism are welcomed, topics may discuss: new ways of teaching Buddhism, and how can the Dhamma/Dharma be taught and employed for the welfare of society.
4. Buddhist Psychotherapy: (Panel Leader: Dr. Padmasiri de Silva and faculty-members from Naropa University) Papers are invited for the following thematic sections: (1) Buddhism & therapeutic traditions: e.g. Cognitive and Behavior therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, existential therapy,  emotion-focused therapy; (2) application of Buddhist therapeutic resources to issues in mental health: e.g. suicide, addictions, depression, grief counseling, death & dying, traumas and counseling for environmental disasters; (3) application & development of Buddhist positive Psychology for developing positive qualities: e.g. working with families, couple relations, Buddhist social work, emotional intelligence in professions; and (4) Buddhist world view & philosophy & its implications for therapy; studies collecting resources in the suttas for issues in counseling.
5. Buddhist Texts and Commentaries in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts: (Panel Leader: Dr. P. Stanley: Convener of the UCBT Project) Papers accepted into this panel should be related to the historical and contemporary roles of Buddhist scriptures, commentaries, and treatises, the relationships between these texts, and their respective roles in the formation and interpretation of Buddhist canons. Papers are also invited on the issues involved in making these texts available to contemporary cultures by way of translation, interpretation, and, especially, electronic resources, which reflects the project of the International Association of Buddhist Universities for the Union Catalog of Buddhist Texts that is dedicated to creating an online catalog that links all the major electronic projects devoted to the canons of Buddhism, e.g., Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian
6. IABU Planning Workshop: (Session Leaders: Ven. Dr. Khammai Dhammasami and Dr. Tamas Agocs/ Dr. G.A Somaratne, plus working-committee) This session (is closed to the general public and) will focus in general on the association’s aims, such as facilitating academic cooperation between members, the implementation of exchange programs and fund-raising; and in particular, the workshop will prepare for the General Meeting of the IABU taking place on 18th December 2011/2554.

Acceptable articles, determined by the academic peer-review committee, may be published together along with those selected for presentation.  The conference volume will be available prior to the beginning of the presentations.  Papers selected for publication will be those that combine:

Abstract Title or Proposal Submission Guidelines:

• Please submit a title and an abstract of 500 words, along with a one-page CV  with your contact information
• Abstract proposals must be received by 30 June 2011.  We will send confirmation of the receipt of your proposal and will respectfully inform all authors of the status of their abstracts/proposals.  
• The proposals will be reviewed by the IABU Academic Peer-Review Committee.
• You will receive confirmation of your participation by 15 July 2011.

IMPORTANT DATES:

PAPER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

PLEASE SEND ABSTRACTS and FINAL PAPERS to:

Editorial Committee Manager:

Dr. Dion Peoples: manager.secretariat@iabu.org

If you are invited to attend and present in the conference, your arrival should be on 15 December 2011, and departures begin on 19 December 2011.  Economy-class airfare will be reimbursed upon arrival, and food and hotel-accommodations in Bangkok will be sponsored by Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University – only for scholars with approved articles and delegates from Member-Institutions of the IABU.  We would be honored if you could grace us with your valuable contribution.

Yours sincerely,

Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Dharmakosajarn

Rector, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Chairman, International Association of Buddhist Universities