Hybrid Conference: Buddhism and The Cold War

About the Conference

Buddhism and The Cold War is an informal conference gathering of scholars selected and invited to present their approved papers. A Call for Papers has been conducted to select the abstracts and themes to be explored. If you’re not presenting and would like to attend, please complete this form by June 20 to get more instructions*.

* We have a limited seat capacity due to venues and logistics. The acceptance for in-person attendees will follow the submission order, until we reached capacity (to be determined soon). For online registration, capacity is 500 seats.

The Cold War era, stretching from the end of World War II in the late 1940s to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, witnessed a massive realignment, both ideologically and geopolitically. The Cold War situation altered the configuration of academic institutions, affecting the study of Asia and of religions such as Buddhism. And Buddhists, Buddhist organizations, and scholars of Buddhism were and continue to be deeply affected by Cold War tensions, norms, and popular consciousness.

All activities will take place at Ponderosa Commons: UBC Point Grey Campus, Vancouver | 2075 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
We acknowledge that the UBC Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwmə0–kwəy’əm (Musqueam). The land it is situated on and has always been a place of learning for the Musqueam people, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next on this site.

Keynote Lecture

This keynote is open to the public, free and hybrid, and can be attended in person or online via Zoom.


Friday, June 27 – Keynote Lecture by Prof. Laura Harrington, “Shaken, Not Stirred: Richard Gard, the CIA, and the Invention of Cold War Buddhism”

Schedule

Download the detailed schedule here: Buddhism and the Cold War (PDF)

Friday, June 27:
2:00 – 4:00 pm:
Presenters: Hotel Check-in | Gage Suites

5:00 – 7:00 pm:
Presenters: Welcome Reception
Venue: Ponderosa Ballroom – UBC Point Grey Campus, Vancouver | 2075 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2

7:00 – 9:00 pm: KEYNOTE LECTURE – Open to the public
Venue: Ponderosa Ballroom – UBC Point Grey Campus, Vancouver | 2075 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Shaken, Not Stirred: Richard Gard, the CIA, and the Invention of Cold War Buddhism
Laura Harrington (Senior Lecturer in the Department of Religion at Boston University)

Saturday, June 28:
9:00 – 10:15 am: SESSION 1: “Buddhism and Anti-Communist Interventions”
Presenters: Daigengna Duoer (online), Philip Wei-li Hsu | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1001

10:15 – 10:40 am: Short break
All Presenters | Venue: Ponderosa Lower Foyer

10:40 am – 12:30 pm: SESSION 2: “2500 Years of Buddhism”
Presenters: (Lily) Patcharaviral Charoenpacharaporn, David Geary, Manish Kumar | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1001

12:30 – 1:45 pm: Lunch
All Presenters | Venue: Ponderosa Lower Foyer

1:45 – 3:00 pm: SESSION 3.1: “Buddhism and Communism in Cold War Sri Lanka”
Presenters: Bhadrajee S. Hewage (online), Mahinda Deegalle (online) | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1001

1:45 – 3:00 pm: SESSION 3.2: “Cold War Vietnam in Transnational Buddhist Networks”
Presenters: Jonathan Feuer, Todd Klaiman | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1002

3:00 – 3:25 pm: Short break
All Presenters | Venue: Ponderosa Lower Foyer

3:25 – 5:20 pm: SESSION 4.1: “PRC Diplomacy and Buddhism”
Presenters: Gregory Adam Scott (online), Erik Schicketanz, Yukiko Sakaida (online) | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1001

3:25 – 5:20 pm: SESSION 4.2: “Southeast Asian Buddhists in Cold & Hot Wars”
Presenters: Elizabeth Guthrie (online), Napakadol Kittisenee, John A. Marston | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1002

5:20 – 7:00 pm: For Presenters and Panel Chairs: Break – Feel free to refresh for dinner
5:20 – 7:00 pm: Other guests: End of Day 1

7:00 – 9:00 pm: DINNER (for Presenters only)
Venue: Wall Ideas Lounge

Sunday, June 29:

9:00 – 10:20 am: SESSION 5.1: “Public Intellectuals, Ideology, and Philosophy”
Presenters: Tony R. Scott (online), Melanie Coughlin (online) | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1001

9:00 – 10:20 am: SESSION 5.2: “Buddhist Diplomacy Across Borders”
Presenters: Lhagvademchig Jadamba (online), Sanjoy Barua Chowdhury (TBD) | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1002

10:30 – 11:50 pm: SESSION 6.1: “Vietnamese Buddhist Groups”
Presenters: Guilhem Cousin-Thorez (online), Pascal Bourdeaux (online) | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1001

10:30 – 11:50 pm: SESSION 6.2: “Cold War Nuns”
Presenters: Jessica Xiaomin Zu (online), Paride Stortini (online) | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1002

12:00 – 12:30 pm: Wrap-up discussion and farewells
All presenters | Venue: Ponderosa Room 1001