Challenges for Revival and Future Development of Chan-Buddhist Monasteries in China

27 June 2015

Concerning the history of Buddhism in China there is a widespread lack of knowledge about the very recent developments, and a number of questions arise on its further challenges. Since the so called revival after the Cultural Revolution at the end of the 1970s, Buddhism in China has developed dynamically due to very heterogeneous circumstances.

Against this background, the workshop will give an insight into relevant historical settings and present developments seen from a scholarly perspective and the perspective of Buddhist leadership. Focused on Chan as one of the main schools in the history of Chinese Buddhism, the central question of the symposium will be how far the process of revival is leading to a balance between the challenges of traditions and modernization.

This process will be analyzed by young scholars of Buddhism as well as by the leadership of particular Buddhist groups in China representing and reflecting their way of shaping Buddhist monasteries in contemporary China.

Introductory Remarks 
10:30-10:40h    Dr. Carsten Krause (University of Hamburg): Introductory Remarks
10:40-11:00h    Ven. Dayuan (Liuzu Temple, China):  Greeting Words 
11:00-11:30h    Dr. Carsten Krause (Hamburg):  The Patterns for Revival of Chan-Buddhism:  Re-Traditionalization and Innovation in the Self-Representation of Contemporary Chinese Monasteries

Break
11:30-12:30h    Round Table Lunch 

Case Studies: 
13:00-13:30h    Thomas Rötting, M.A. (Leipzig): Shaping the Face of the Bailin-Monastery:  Innovations and its Complications in the Development of “shenghuo chan” by Master Jinghui (1933-2013) 
13:30-14:00h    Ven. Wujue, N.N. (Liuzu Temple, China):  Does the Spirit of Huineng (638-713) Matter in the Development of the Liuzu-Monastery?  New Ways of Present Day Chan from Accupunctural Support up to Charity Engagement 
14:00-14:30h   Yi Yuan, M.A. (University of Eastern Finland, Helsinki)  Three Case Studies in Contemporary Chinese Monasteries: Soundscape in the Context of Chinese Chan Buddhism 

Conclusion: 
14:30-15:00h    Prof. Dr. Michael Radich (University of Wellington / University of Hamburg)  Final Remarks

Venue: Universität Hamburg, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, Hauptgebäude, Akademischer Senatssaal (by elevator, highest floor)

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