SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Zara Fleming

The most profound and long lasting influence on Mongolian art is that of Vajrayana Buddhism. This flourished for centuries under the patronage of the Khans, but in the 20th century it was all but annihilated under communism. This lecture explores this rich tradition of Buddhist art, identifying particular Mongolian characteristics in their thangkhas and appliques from the 18th to the 20th century.

Dr Alice Travers (CNRS)

This presentation discusses a socio-historical investigation into the aristocracy of the central government of Tibet (1895-1959). Oral and written sources built into a computerized database provides a basis to analyze noble lineage and government service. The database gives new insights into the general development of careers and marriage patterns.

Arjia Rinpoche

Dr Sondra Hausner (Oxford University)

This talk will describe contemporary South Asian sadhus, or ascetics, and consider whether they live up to the legendary roles that have been attributed to them.  Certainly their religious practices, or tapas, are modelled after those of the great mahasiddhas in Himalayan mythology, but being an ascetic in real life poses particular kinds of challenges.  Do all ascetics necessarily aspire towards mysticism -- and do all mystics practice an ascetic lifestyle?

Dr Alex Studholme

'Oṃ Maṇipadme Hūṃ' is first recorded the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra, one of the first Buddhist books to arrive in Tibet, this work reflects an early stage of Buddhist tantrism in India.  The mantra reflects creative religious synthesis. Its meaning, “in the jewel-lotus” expresses a central symbol of Mahāyāna: rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitābha.

Dr Michael Willis (British Museum)

bSam yas is Tibet's earliest Buddhist establishment. Apart from a short foundation inscription, we depend on later histories the institution's development. The oldest of the later histories is known as the "Testimony of BA" and dates to about 1000 CE. This lecture looks at the 'Testament of Ba', the earliest such history, and explores how Tibetans constructed their history and identity.

The speakers will include Dr. Liu Changqing (Ningxia University), Dr. Imre Galambos (Cambridge), Dr. Guillaume Jacques (CRLAO, CNRS), Dr. Andrew West.

Dr Kurt Tropper (Universität Wien)

Timea Tallian

Timea Tallian discusses her work in Bhutan as a conservation supervisor for artwork exhibited in the Ta Dzong Museum in Trongsa. This work involved the restoration of important ancient Buddhist artifacts and sacred objects from the Royal collection.