Call for Papers: Buddhist Art and Epigraphic Practices Across Asia

Call for Papers: Buddhist Art and Epigraphic Practices across Asia

A Cross-Cultural Conversation

We invite contributions from scholars working on Buddhist art and epigraphicpractices across Asia for an international symposium exploring inscriptions in relationto the objects, images, and material environments with which they are associated. Particular attention will be given to inscriptions connected with portable and small-scale Buddhist material culture, and to epigraphic practices that illuminate acts ofdonation, patronage, devotion, merit-making, and consecration. Bringing together specialists working across different regions, languages, and historical periods, the symposium seeks to foster a cross-cultural conversation on the roles and functions of inscriptions within Buddhist artistic and material cultures.
While grounded in the shared context of Buddhist traditions, the symposium seeks to explore how epigraphic practices developed within different cultural, linguistic, artistic, and historical environments across Asia. Contributions may address questions of continuity and difference, transmission and adaptation, as well as the ways in which inscriptions, objects, and practices circulated across regional and cultural boundaries. Papers drawing connections between different regions or engaging with broader comparative and methodological questions are particularly welcome.

The symposium will take place at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München on 18–19 March 2027. Papers will be allocated 30 minutes, followed by 15 minutes fordiscussion.Scholars wishing to participate are invited to submit a provisional title and shortabstract of approximately 500 words, together with their name and institutionalaffiliation, by 1 December 2026.

Proposals should be sent to BAEPA2027@lrz.uni-muenchen.de

Call for Papers: Buddhist Art and Epigraphic Practices Across Asia (PDF, 4,553 KB)