"Scope & Theme"

The central theme of this Conference will be “Nature, Source and Relevance of Dharma-Dhamma Traditions.” The aim of the Conference is to undertake intra and inter cultural study of the varied Buddhist traditions and their textual sources vis- à-vis the Vedic tradition by way of revisiting them, focusing on their basic framework and the superstructures erected on them.

 SUGGESTED THEMES

1. Apotheosis of the Buddha in theological trends through the ages

2. Historical growth of Bauddha canons

3. The world-view of Samsara in Hindu-Bauddha texts

4. The emergence of Rishi, Sramana and Bhikku traditions in Sanskrit and Pali texts (Rise of asceticism)

5. Pravrtti and Nivrtti traditions – evolution through the ages

6. Hindu eschatology and Bauddha precepts of Nirvana

7. Development of Yogic traditions

8. Ascetico-intellectual movements in the Orient

9. Concepts of time and reality in Dharma-Dhamma traditions

10. Mysticism of the Middle Way

11. Interpretation of Dhamma

12. Consciousness studies in the Orient

13. The Middle Doctrine beyond ‘Anatta and Atta‘

14. Faith and Mindfulness

15. Bodhi Sakkhiya dhamma traditions – morality, compassion and Brahma Vihara

16. Importance of jnana in Buddhism

17. Bauddha traditions in Tripitaka, Mulasarvastivada, Yogacara, Madhyamika, and texts such as vtamsakasutra, Sadhammasutra, Sukhavatisutra

18. Hindu traditions in the Veda, Upanishad and Epics

19. Dharma-Dhamma traditions in South India