Development in Buddhist Education and Archive Building in Luang Prabang
20 June 2018
Development in Buddhist Education and Archive Building in Luang Prabang
Mi, 20.06.2018, 18:00 Uhr, bis 20:00, Asien-Afrika-Institut, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, 20146 Hamburg, Ostflügel / Eastern Wing, R. 123
The UNESCO world heritage site of Luang Prabang has been the centre of Lao Buddhism and culture since the mid-fourteenth century. Theravada Buddhism has flourished in this ancient city since then. In the 2000s, two important Buddhist institutions were established in Luang Prabang, namely the Buddhist Academy and the Buddhist Archives. The Buddhist Academy at the monastery of Vat Pa Pha O, situated some 10 km to the north of Luang Prabang town, represents one of the landmarks of Buddhist educational development not only in Luang Prabang but in the whole of northern Laos. The Academy provides a chance for boys from poor families in remote villages to get a proper education. At present, more than 500 novices live and study in the monastery under the supervision of the Most Venerable Pha One Keo Sittivong. Being both a burden and challenge, the Venerable will talk about the reasons which inspired him to set up this institute of Buddhist education. Since its foundation in 2007 by a charismatic monk, the Most Venerable Sathu Nyai Khamchan Virachitta Maha Thela (1920–2007), and the German writer and photographer Hans Georg Berger, the Buddhist Archives houses one of the largest collections of historical photographs, printed books and handwritten documents related to Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Therefore, this institution provides useful tools for the study of Lao Buddhism, culture and history.
The link to the flyer can be found here.