Dartmouth Events

Hardigg Family Fund Lecture

Stephen F. Teiser (Princeton). "Prayer and Buddhism?" Free and open to all. Reception follows.

Thursday, January 25, 2018
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Haldeman 41 (Kreindler Conference Hall)
Intended Audience(s): Public
Categories: Lectures & Seminars
  

Abstract. Is prayer, in the sense of communication with the divine, a helpful category for understanding Buddhism? Scholars often point out that the early tradition was agnostic concerning deities, drawing attention to the Buddhist critique of religious practices that encourage clinging. This lecture surveys critical discussion over the past two centuries, considers the diversity of ritual language in Buddhist traditions, and examines one particular Buddhist ritual, the supreme offering, before drawing conclusions about the usefulness of comparative categories in the study of Buddhism.

 

Stephen F. Teiser is interested in the interaction between Buddhism and local cultures across the Silk Road. His work focuses on Chinese materials, including transmitted texts, manuscripts, images, and archaeological evidence. His 2006 book, Reinventing the Wheel: Paintings of Rebirth in Medieval Buddhist Temples, received the Prix Stansilas Julien from the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, Institut de France. He is D.T. Suzuki Professor in Buddhist Studies and Director of the Program in East Asian Studies at Princeton University.

For more information, contact:
Marcia Welsh
(603) 646-3738

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.