Prof. Meir & Prof. Wangchuk: “Dialogical Thoughts in Jewish and Buddhist Philosophies”
8 July 2013
Photo: Orna Almogi
The Khyentse Center for Tibetan Buddhist Textual Scholarship (KC-TBTS), Department of Indian and Tibetan Studies, Asia-Africa Institute, University of Hamburg, would like to cordially invite you to lectures by:
(a) Prof. Dr. Ephraim Meir on “Dialogical Thoughts in Modern Jewish Philosophy in View of a Jewish-Buddhist Dialogue” and
(b) Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk on “A Buddhist Philosophy of Dialogue: Cognition and Recognition of Others.”
The primary objective of the collaborative project on “Dialogical Thoughts in Jewish and Buddhist Philosophies,” is to explore certain aspects of dialogical thoughts in the Buddhist and Jewish intellectual worlds and to demonstrate shared elements and elements that are unique to each religio-philosophical tradition. In February 2013, Professors Meir and Wangchuk had a series of meetings and talks during which they pursued intensive and constructive exchange of dialogical ideas traceable in Jewish and Buddhist traditions. The present joint (or rather consecutive) lectures, which will be followed by a discussion, are parts of their continuing effort to reflect on Jewish and Buddhist philosophies of dialogue. Professor Meir will speak on “Dialogical Thoughts in Modern Jewish Philosophy in View of a Jewish-Buddhist Dialogue.” Meir’s lecture deals with the dialogical thoughts of Buber, Rosenzweig, Heschel and Levinas in view of the construction of his own dialogical philosophy that works with the concept of “trans-difference.” Concrete examples of Jewish dialogue with Buddhism will be given, with respect to the uniqueness of both traditions and with attention to shared elements, possible inspiration and interaction. Professor Wangchuk will speak on “A Buddhist Philosophy of Dialogue: Cognition and Recognition of Others.” In this lecture, an attempt will be made to point out some key doctrinal ideas found in Indo-Tibetan Buddhist sources, which Wangchuk believes could be employed to devise a Buddhist philosophy of dialogue. In doing so, he also intends to emphasize that the raison d’être of a Buddhist dialogical thought seems to be to encourage individuals who see themselves as Buddhists to learn to cognize and recognize those who think and believe otherwise, with special reference to followers of the Jewish faith or tradition.
- Click here to download the invitation [PDF]
July 8th, 2013 - 18.00h
Universität Hamburg, Hauptgebäude,
Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, Hörsaal B
Free Entrance.