Chinese Buddhist Art Symposium New Directions and Perspectives

Friday 29 August 2008, University of Sydney
Saturday 30 August 2008, Domain Theatre, Lower Level 3
9.30am - 4.30pm

In conjunction with the exhibition The Lost Buddhas Chinese Buddhist sculpture from Qingzhou

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Recent archaeological discoveries, as seen in the exhibition: The Lost Buddhas: Chinese Buddhist sculpture from Qingzhou, have prompted much research on Buddhist art and thought in sixth century China. Scholars of Chinese Buddhist art from around the world reveal new perspectives on Buddhist image-making and iconography, scripture and belief.

Day 1: University of Sydney

Session 1 - Buddhist art and society
• Some Miscellaneous Notes on Early Shandong Province as a Fertile Ground for Buddhist Art and Thought Professor Jeffrey Riegel, University of Sydney
• A Northern Qi Layman's Views of Buddhism Professor Albert Dien, Stanford University
• Shadow Cave: Chinese Buddhist Sculptures in Context Professor Eugene Wang, Harvard University

Session 2 - Buddhist scripture and icons
• The Role of Buddhist Scriptures in the Formation of a Regional Style During the Six Dynasties Period Dr Patricia Karetzky, Bard College
• Gangshan, the mountain where the Buddha preached Professor Lothar Ledderose, University of Heidelberg
• Buddha Names: Their Presence and Significance in Sixth-Century Chinese Buddhist Art Associate Professor Dorothy C. Wong, University of Virginia

Day 2: Art Gallery of New South Wales

Session 1 - The making of Buddhist images
• Introduction Edmund Capon, Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Stages in the making of Buddhist Images in China Professor Roderick Whitfield, SOAS, University of London
• Animating and Adorning Divine Images - Some Thoughts on the Religious Essence of Buddhist Icons Professor Helmut Brinker, University of Zurich

Session 2 - Buddhist art in Shandong
• Shandong art and the Southern style Professor Angela F. Howard, Rutgers University
• Qingzhou sculpture in the religious landscape of the sixth century: tracing the rise of popular Buddhism in Eastern China Lukas Nickel, SOAS, University of London and the Institute of Archaeology, University College London
• Buddhist Beliefs and Iconography in Sixth Century Shandong Dr Liu Yang, Art Gallery of New South Wales

Admission includes lunch, refreshments and exhibition viewing.

Presented in conjunction with the University of Sydney. Supported by Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation.

Bookings & enquiries tel: (02) 9225 1878

Prices
Both days:
Full $150.00
Members/concession $130.00
Single day:
Full $80.00
Members/concession $70.00

Book for both days: