"Cultural and Religious Mosaic of South and Southeast Asia:
Conflict and Consensus through the Ages"
Inaugural Conference
South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of
Religion (SSEASR)
K.J. Somaiya Centre of Buddhist Studies, Mumbai
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi
New Delhi (India)
January 27-30, 2005
The region of South and Southeast Asia is well known for a
multiplicity of cultures and religions. The proposed
conference will highlight the phenomenon of conflict and
consensus unique to this part of the world where no single
religion can claim absolute majority, neither Hinduism, nor
Islam, nor Christianity, nor Buddhism. The tribal religions
are, of course, exclusively regional with their own
intra-regional conflicts and consensus. However, here also
co-existence in terms of mutual understanding is becoming
the order of the day.
Speakers are asked to consider in their papers not only past
but also present situations. Papers can deal with the
heritage of the regions in terms of art and architecture,
iconography, performing arts, social formations, state and
society, religion and civilizations, ideals and practices,
etc., in the overall framework of the theme, viz. conflict
and consensus among civilisations. But analyses of the more
intangible forms of heritage in which this region is rich,
such as oral tradition, oral history, and folk literature
will, it is hoped, also lead to a better understanding of
the prevailing socio-cultural and religio-political scenario
in the region.
The proposed sub-themes are as follows:
1. Dialogue between civilizations: problems and prospects
2. Symbols of religious and ethnic identities
3. Religious conflict: past and present
4. Sacred places, sacred waters and sacred mountains: the
role of pilgrimage
5. Syncretism in art, iconography and architecture
6. Religion and polity
7. State formation and the role model of Indic state in
Southeast Asia
8. Syncretism in languages and literature
9. Epics and Sanskrit-based literature in Southeast Asia
10. Elite and folk cultures in religion and culture: higher
tradition vis-à-vis lower tradition
11. Gender in religion
12. Orality and sacrality in South and Southeast Asia
13. Methodology in the study of South and Southeast Asian
religions
14. Hinduism and Buddhism in Southeast Asia
15. On the trails of the Chinese travellers in South Asia to
Southeast Asia
16. Performing arts: reflections of consensus
17. Medicine, health systems and religion
18. Economics and the role of religion
19. Science and religion
20. Philosophy of life and value system: the various eyes of
religions
21. Religion in relation to tradition and modernity
22. Religion, human rights and law
23. Emerging socio-cultural trends and visions for the
mid-21st century
Papers can be submitted on either of the sub-themes as
mentioned above or any other relevant topic which fit into
the contour of South and Southeast Asia. An individual
speaker would be allotted 20 minutes for the presentation.
We would like them to enrich the presentation with visuals
and/or transparencies. The full paper should be submitted
electronically before 24th December 2004.
Contact:
Dr Amarjiva Lochan
Convenor, SSEASR Conference, 2005
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sseasr.org
http://www.icvsolutions.com/iahr
_________________________________
InterPhil List Administration:
http://interphil.polylog.org/
Intercultural Philosophy Calendar:
http://agd.polylog.org/cal/
