Panel Discussions _ Inner Faith
On Monday 30 April and Tuesday 1 May, from 2 to 4 pm there will be panel discussions on the Bodhisattva tradition, organized and conducted by Prof. Shashibala.
Bodhisattva is a socially oriented ideal, exercising compassionate concern and stressing spiritual practices leading to the salvation of others. In early Buddhism the concept of Boddhisattva was confined to previous lives of øākyamuni described in Jātaka stories but with the development of Mahāyāna philosophy the definition of ‘Boddhisattva’ was transformed to a vehicle of universal salvation. All those who commenced their religious career with a vow to become a Buddha and work tirelessly for enlightenment of others became by definition ‘Bodhisattvas’.
Though a well-known term, Bodhisattva does raise a number of questions and misconceptions because of their numerous forms found in arts and literature. These sessions will give a chance to those who wish to understand and absorb the meaning and symbolism behind Bodhisattvas. The panelists will present talks on their respective topics and the audience will be given enough time to get answers to their queries.
Monday 30 April, 2012
Prof. Shashibala is a researcher at the International Academy of Indian Culture since 1975 and author of eight books and fifty-five research papers presented at national and international conferences, on various aspects of Buddhist legacy in Asian countries.
She will open up the seminar with an introductory illustrated lecture on the history of the concept, different types of interpretations and manifestations, stages of perfection of spiritual progress of a Bodhisattva and the literature that laid its foundation. She will also discuss a few misconceptions resulting from an endless number
of forms of Bodhisattvas in Buddhist theology and art of various sects and sub-sects developed in different countries and regions.
Dr. Supriya Rai, a lecturer from Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies, Mumbai, has a Ph.D. in Buddhist meditation and has been exploring the ørāvakas (Lisners) path based on Visuddhimarga (Purification) and øravakdbhåmi. She also teaches a module on the Buddhist perspective on business ethics.
She will speak on the Concept of the Bodhisattva from Buddhist Literary Perspective. The Pali texts record the Buddha referring to himself as a Bodhisattva in his previous births. The Mahayanists developed the concept of the Bodhisattva to reflect a path marked by assiduous cultivation of wisdom and compassion as the highest virtues reflecting an altruistic ideal, unparalleled in the motivation to seek Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
His Eminence the 12th Kenting Tai Situpa Rinpoche, was formally enthroned by the HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and his hair-cutting ceremony was performed by HH the Dalai Lama. In 1975 he established the Palpung Sherabling monastic centre in Himachal Pradesh. He embarked on his Dharma tour travelling extensively around the world propagating Dharma and peace.
As someone concerned for the future of the world he finds the essence and the message of Bodhisattvahood to be more than ever needed because compassion and love are two pillars of everyone’s life without which deterioration of humanity is apparent. Boddhisattva is one who dedicates his own body, speech and mind totally to the well-being of others, free them from suffering and to assist them in gaining greater fulfillment of joy and freedom which can assist and help them to attain enlightenment (Buddhahood) leading to ultimate liberation.
Tuesday 1 May, 2012
Hira Paul Gangnegi, Associate Professor at the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi, teaches Tibetan Buddhism and is interested in dissemination of Gandhian values and interfaith activities.
His topic will be Bodhisattvas in Indian Thought and Art.
Bodhisattvas are ideal human beings enshrining ideal virtues, characterized by symbols. It transformed Buddhist thought and practice both, as the early self-centric role model changed into an altruistic self-sacrificing being, helping in the sustenance of harmony and spiritual wellbeing in the social context.
Prof. Dr. Andrea Loseries, Director, Centre for Buddhist Studies, Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, has studied Tibetology, Indology, Buddhist Studies, History of Art and Ethnology in Paris, Santiniketan and Vienna. Her interdisciplinary research has produced multi-faceted studies.
Her paper elucidates the Chinese Bodhisattva concepts in mythology and art, highlighting the qualities of Bodhisattvas popular in China, such as Avalokite÷vara (Guanyin), Kşitagarbha, Mahāsthāmaprāpta and Ma¤ju÷ŗī. In China the concept of Bodhisattva started in ca. 3rd century and excellent teachers or preachers began to be addressed as such. Confucius, an excellent teacher and educator, became a Bodhisattva during the last dynasty, the Qing.
Christel Pilz, a journalist from Germany, lived 40 years in Asia. Now settled in Thailand, she has devoted all her energies in search of the path of wisdom and enlightenment, peace and compassion. She has travelled extensively in Asian countries searching and documenting the Buddhist legacy.
On the basis of her dedicated efforts, experiences and knowledge, she will outline the ways to find a Bodhisattva and its relevance for the world today. She has concentrated her research on looking for the true meaning of the essence of the teaching of the Buddha and the great teachers.
Bodhisattva is a socially oriented ideal, exercising compassionate concern and stressing spiritual practices leading to the salvation of others. In early Buddhism the concept of Boddhisattva was confined to previous lives of øākyamuni described in Jātaka stories but with the development of Mahāyāna philosophy the definition of ‘Boddhisattva’ was transformed to a vehicle of universal salvation. All those who commenced their religious career with a vow to become a Buddha and work tirelessly for enlightenment of others became by definition ‘Bodhisattvas’.
Though a well-known term, Bodhisattva does raise a number of questions and misconceptions because of their numerous forms found in arts and literature. These sessions will give a chance to those who wish to understand and absorb the meaning and symbolism behind Bodhisattvas. The panelists will present talks on their respective topics and the audience will be given enough time to get answers to their queries.
Monday 30 April, 2012
Prof. Shashibala is a researcher at the International Academy of Indian Culture since 1975 and author of eight books and fifty-five research papers presented at national and international conferences, on various aspects of Buddhist legacy in Asian countries.
She will open up the seminar with an introductory illustrated lecture on the history of the concept, different types of interpretations and manifestations, stages of perfection of spiritual progress of a Bodhisattva and the literature that laid its foundation. She will also discuss a few misconceptions resulting from an endless number
of forms of Bodhisattvas in Buddhist theology and art of various sects and sub-sects developed in different countries and regions.
Dr. Supriya Rai, a lecturer from Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies, Mumbai, has a Ph.D. in Buddhist meditation and has been exploring the ørāvakas (Lisners) path based on Visuddhimarga (Purification) and øravakdbhåmi. She also teaches a module on the Buddhist perspective on business ethics.
She will speak on the Concept of the Bodhisattva from Buddhist Literary Perspective. The Pali texts record the Buddha referring to himself as a Bodhisattva in his previous births. The Mahayanists developed the concept of the Bodhisattva to reflect a path marked by assiduous cultivation of wisdom and compassion as the highest virtues reflecting an altruistic ideal, unparalleled in the motivation to seek Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
His Eminence the 12th Kenting Tai Situpa Rinpoche, was formally enthroned by the HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and his hair-cutting ceremony was performed by HH the Dalai Lama. In 1975 he established the Palpung Sherabling monastic centre in Himachal Pradesh. He embarked on his Dharma tour travelling extensively around the world propagating Dharma and peace.
As someone concerned for the future of the world he finds the essence and the message of Bodhisattvahood to be more than ever needed because compassion and love are two pillars of everyone’s life without which deterioration of humanity is apparent. Boddhisattva is one who dedicates his own body, speech and mind totally to the well-being of others, free them from suffering and to assist them in gaining greater fulfillment of joy and freedom which can assist and help them to attain enlightenment (Buddhahood) leading to ultimate liberation.
Tuesday 1 May, 2012
Hira Paul Gangnegi, Associate Professor at the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi, teaches Tibetan Buddhism and is interested in dissemination of Gandhian values and interfaith activities.
His topic will be Bodhisattvas in Indian Thought and Art.
Bodhisattvas are ideal human beings enshrining ideal virtues, characterized by symbols. It transformed Buddhist thought and practice both, as the early self-centric role model changed into an altruistic self-sacrificing being, helping in the sustenance of harmony and spiritual wellbeing in the social context.
Prof. Dr. Andrea Loseries, Director, Centre for Buddhist Studies, Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, has studied Tibetology, Indology, Buddhist Studies, History of Art and Ethnology in Paris, Santiniketan and Vienna. Her interdisciplinary research has produced multi-faceted studies.
Her paper elucidates the Chinese Bodhisattva concepts in mythology and art, highlighting the qualities of Bodhisattvas popular in China, such as Avalokite÷vara (Guanyin), Kşitagarbha, Mahāsthāmaprāpta and Ma¤ju÷ŗī. In China the concept of Bodhisattva started in ca. 3rd century and excellent teachers or preachers began to be addressed as such. Confucius, an excellent teacher and educator, became a Bodhisattva during the last dynasty, the Qing.
Christel Pilz, a journalist from Germany, lived 40 years in Asia. Now settled in Thailand, she has devoted all her energies in search of the path of wisdom and enlightenment, peace and compassion. She has travelled extensively in Asian countries searching and documenting the Buddhist legacy.
On the basis of her dedicated efforts, experiences and knowledge, she will outline the ways to find a Bodhisattva and its relevance for the world today. She has concentrated her research on looking for the true meaning of the essence of the teaching of the Buddha and the great teachers.
Comments
Post a Comment