15th Sakyadhita International Conference: Call for Papers

The 2017 Sakyadhita International Conference theme, “Contemporary Buddhist Women: Contemplation, Cultural Exchange & Social Action,” highlights the diversity of contemporary Buddhist women throughout the world.

Buddhism is a significant cultural force in our world, influencing virtually every sphere of human activity from business to popular music. This global spread of Buddhist ethics, iconography, meditation, and philosophy is having an impact on science, psychology, government, and the arts. Today, women have more pathways to self-enrichment than at any time in recorded history. Whether the choice is career, family, or monastery, women are expanding beyond traditional roles in creative and beneficial ways. Women also take different paths and approaches to spirituality. Depending on their cultural backgrounds and personal interests, they may be inclined to meditation, scholarship, social activism, or the arts. The 2017 conference theme is broad enough to encompass the many aspects of what Buddhism means to women and to embrace the range of Buddhist women's experiences.

"Contemplation" includes personal introspection, mindfulness practice, meditation, and reflection on contemporary life issues.

"Cultural Exchange" incorporates interreligious dialogue, indigenous Buddhist experience, inter-generational dialogue, and Buddhist transcultural exchange, expressed through music, literature, drama, painting, social media, and the martial arts.

"Social Action" takes many forms, including charitable activities, social entrepreneurship, community leadership, and other ways of transforming society. The 15th Sakyadhita International Conference will be a forum for making connections across cultures and traditions, exploring a wide range of Buddhist teachings, values, and techniques for living a meaningful life.

To learn more please visit the Sakyadhita International website.

Call For Papers

Hong Kong Skyline by Freepik

Proposals are now being accepted for panel presentations and workshops on topics related to the conference theme. All proposals (250 – 500 words in length) must be submitted by June 1, 2016.
Notification of acceptance will be sent in June.

Final papers (2,500 words maximum) are due by August 1, 2016 as upon acceptance, they must be translated into Chinese and other languages.

Proposals should include sender’s name, institutional affiliation, and contact information. All proposals and papers must be the original, unpublished work of the presenter. Further suggestions are welcome!

Sakyadhita encourages diversity and creativity. We welcome proposals from presenters of any gender, nationality, or status. We also invite proposals for short films and PowerPoint slide shows (10 – 15 minutes in length) related to women in Buddhism.

Send proposals to hongkong2017@sakyadhita.org, with a copy to tsomo@sandiego.edu, to be received by June 1 . All speakers and workshop presenters must register for the conference. Any requests for special dates for presentations must be included with the proposal.

To learn more please visit the Sakyadhita International website, and read the press release here.