Abstract: This (on campus) course will focus on how Buddhists in China engage(d) with various aspects of the Buddhist monastic law (Vinaya). It will cover discussions on clerical immunity for ordained Buddhists in Buddhist legal texts; Chinese transformation of jurisdictional negotiation between the state and the Buddhist establishment; and case studies of Buddhist engagements with state law and Buddhist religious law in modern and contemporary China.
We are pleased to announce the following Doctoral School at Ghent University (Belgium):
“Buddhism and Law in China”
Date: June 19-23, 2023.
Venue: Het Pand (Ghent University).
Organizing committee: prof. dr. Ann Heirman, prof. dr. Christoph Anderl (Ghent University).
Description
This (on campus) course will focus on how Buddhists in China engage(d) with various aspects of the Buddhist monastic law (Vinaya). It will cover discussions on clerical immunity for ordained Buddhists in Buddhist legal texts; Chinese transformation of jurisdictional negotiation between the state and the Buddhist establishment; and case studies of Buddhist engagements with state law and Buddhist religious law in modern and contemporary China. The course is designed for doctoral students with backgrounds or seeking further training in Buddhist studies, East Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, Chinese Religion, Chinese Law, and Religion and law. This course will combine lectures, primary text readings, film screenings, discussions, and student presentations. Students will have ample time to learn and grow from interactive lectures, hands on exercises in working with primary sources, and opportunities to present work in progress.
Thanks to the generous support of the Tianzhu Foundation, we are pleased to award up to 500 Euros in travel remuneration for a maximum of 5 international PhD students. This money can be used for travel, accommodation, and meals. To apply for this travel grant, please send a one-page motivation letter and your CV to Mathieu.Torck@UGent.be by April 20. The selected candidates will be notified by May 1. Candidates who are not selected for the travel grant may still participate on their own means depending on the available places (inquiries should be sent to the same e-mail address).
Lecturers
Prof. Cuilan Liu, University of Pittsburgh (lecturer)
Prof. Ester Bianchi, University of Perugia (guest lecturer)
Tentative schedule
The five-day course will have ca. 5 contact hours a day (23 contact hours all together) that include lectures, text readings, presentations by the participants, and discussions.
Monday, June 19: Indian Origins
10:00-10:30: Welcome and introductions
10:30-12:00: Buddhist Clerical Immunity: Can Kings Punish a Monk Criminal in India? (Cuilan Liu)
12:00-13:30: Lunch Break
13:30-16:00: Text Reading: Shilun jing 十輪經 (Chinese and Tibetan translations) (Cuilan Liu)**
Tuesday, June 20: Chinese Inventions
10:00-12:00: Hybrid Courts and Hybrid Laws: How Did Chinese Buddhists Reinvent the Indian Model for Clerical Immunity? (Cuilan Liu)
12:00-13:30: Lunch Break
13:30-16:00: Text Readings: Chinese Texts related to Daoseng ge 道僧格 (Cuilan Liu)**
Wednesday, June 21: Vinaya Movements in Modern Chinese Buddhism
10:00-12:00: Vinaya Trends in Twentieth Century China and Beyond. With a Focus on Monastic Ordination (Ester Bianchi)
12:00-13:30: Lunch Break
13:30-15:30: Screening of Documentary Films
15:30-16:30: Student Research Projects Presentation (moderated by Ester Bianchi)
Thursday, June 22: Case Study in Contemporary China
10:00-12:00: When Buddhist Law and State Law Clash: What Happens to a Deceased Monk’s Inheritance and Living Heirs? (Cuilan Liu)
12:00-13:30: Lunch Break
13:30-15:30: Text Reading: the Pure Rules 清规 and the Chinese Law of Succession 继承
法 (Cuilan Liu)**
15: 30-16:30: Student Research Projects Presentation (moderated by Cuilan Liu)
Friday, June 23: Case Study in Contemporary China
10:00-12:00: The Dragon Spring Temple: Are Buddhists and Buddhist Institutions Immune from Legal Entanglements? (Cuilan Liu)
12:00-13:30: Lunch Break
13:30-14:30: Postdoctoral Project Presentation
14:30-15:30: Open discussion on the study of Buddhism and Law: Topics, Primary Texts, and Methodologies (moderated by Cuilan Liu)
** Sinological background needed (7 hours)
Update: doctoral school pictures
