A Window into Sino-Tibetan Pure Land Practices at Dunhuang

The virtually uniquely documented site of Dunhuang was, among other things, a cultural cross-roads. Among the populations present in the oasis were Tibetans and other Tibetan speakers, whose linguistic identity, however, did not necessarily imply a Tibetan religious orientation. Sources suggest the existence and activities of a community literate in Tibetan, the members of which nevertheless turned for their Buddhism at least also to China. The presentation discusses documentary evidence not only of scribal culture but also explores intriguing hints at ritual practices.

Jonathan Silk is Professor in the study of Buddhism at Leiden University Institute for Area Studies in the Netherlands. He specializes in Buddhism in its Asian contexts, primarily from a historical point of view. Jonathan Silk’s scientific orientation on Buddhism is very broad, in time as well as geographically: his interest covers the oldest primary sources and the rise of Buddhist communities all over Asia, but he is equally interested in the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia. Silk reads Sanskrit, Pāli, Classic Tibetan, Classic Chinese, and Japanese. He primarily studies Indian Buddhist scriptures, and their translations in Tibetan and Chinese. He has a special interest in Buddhist scriptures. He is among other things co-Editor in Chief of the Indo-Iranian Journal and founding general editor of Brill's Encyclopedia of Buddhism.

Time: 18 May 2023, 17.00
Venue: Building F, Kodály room