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Call for Papers Theme: Buddhism and Language Subtitle: A Twofold Perspective: The Role of Language in Buddhist Teachings and the Role of Buddhist Sources in Linguistic Research Type: International Workshop Institution: Doctoral Program in Buddhist Studies, University of Munich Location: Munich (Germany) Date: 22.–23.10.2021 Deadline: 20.3.2021 __________________________________________________ Buddhism has a peculiar relationship with language: the transmission of the doctrines throughout the centuries, starting from Śākyamuni’s original predication to today’s digital dimension of the spreading of the dharma has been inevitably dependent on language, either in its oral or textual form. At the same time, however, language has often been seen in Buddhist traditions as an insufficient tool to adequately transmit the truth and, sometimes, even as a direct obstacle on the path towards awakening. Thousands of texts were produced and translated in a myriad of languages in order to propagate the Buddhist teachings. A variety of ancient sū tras, commentaries, treatises and so forth have been discovered in a wide geographical area going from Afghanistan to Japan. The analysis of these Buddhist texts from a linguistic perspective has thus been crucial for the study of a multitude of ancient languages, which in many cases are attested solely in writings of a Buddhist content. On the other hand, language has also been used in Buddhist sectarian circumstances as a tool to fold and unfold diverse meanings of the same text or to give prominence to certain doctrinal interpretations over others. In this context, the dynamics of intertextuality can reveal how a given religious system promoted certain beliefs and how its supporters shaped and re-shaped its authoritative texts. This workshop is designed to cast a light on language-related issues in the Buddhist context. We welcome contributions on any of the following topics (the list is not exhaustive): philosophical and doctrinal implications of the problem of “language” within Buddhist traditions, the use of Buddhist texts as a source for linguistic investigation and the category of “intertextuality” as a tool for the analysis of the development of Buddhist doctrines. This workshop will additionally facilitate fruitful exchanges between scholars of Buddhist Studies working on language-related issues in historical, linguistic, and regional manifestations. We encourage abstract submission from early career scholars, especially PhD students, but also from established scholars. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Prof. Dr. Christoph Anderl (University of Ghent) and Prof. Dr. Steffen Döll (University of Hamburg). Abstract submission deadline: March 20, 2021 Please send a 400-word maximum abstract and a brief C.V. Send both as Word & PDF files to the e-mail address below. Notification of acceptance: June 1, 2021 Final paper submission deadline: September 1, 2021 This workshop will be conducted in English. Due to the dynamic situation of the pandemic, the workshop will probably be held in hybrid format (in presence and online). A partial reimbursement of travel costs will only be available for a very limited number of participants. Priority will be given to students. E-mail address for abstract submissions and inquiries: buddhist-studies-works...@lrz.uni-muenchen.de Website of the Workshop: https://www.en.buddhismus-studien.uni-muenchen.de/currentissues/cfp_workshop2021/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/interphil@list.polylog.org/ __________________________________________________