Venerable Master Hsing Yun Memorial Academic Conference

Buddhist Maritime Silk Road and
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum 10th Anniversary Book Launch Conference

Background

Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the visionary founder of Fo Guang Shan, has been a pioneer in the modernization of Buddhism. His tireless efforts have focused on promoting arts and culture, exemplified by the establishment of the people-oriented Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. In addition, he has consistently collaborated with the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism to further artistic and cultural endeavors. This partnership has led to the organization of numerous academic seminars and digital exhibitions, showcasing the richness and depth of Buddhist art and culture.

To commemorate the esteemed Venerable Master Hsing Yun and the tenth anniversary of the Buddha Museum, the “Venerable Master Hsing Yun Memorial Academic Conference - Buddhist Maritime Silk Road & Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum 10th Anniversary Book Launch Conference” will take place from May 27th to 28th, 2023 at the FGS Buddha Museum. Distinguished scholars from Taiwan and around the world have been specially invited to share their profound knowledge. This academic conference and book launch aim to disseminate the significant principles of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's advocacy of Humanistic Buddhism to a global audience.

Under the leadership of Venerable Ru Chang, the main curator and Director of the Buddha Museum, a dedicated team consisting of academic curator Professor Lewis R. Lancaster, artistic supervisors Professor Jeffrey Shaw and Professor Sarah Kenderdine worked diligently. Leveraging Professor Lancaster's research on the Buddhist Maritime Silk Road and incorporating New Media Art techniques for the digital preservation of Buddhist cultural heritage, the team created immersive 360-degree panoramic visual experiences and 3D rotating sculptures. These innovative approaches have allowed visitors from around the world to explore and learn about the spread of Buddhism through the Maritime Silk Road.

Just as the famous saying goes, "Rome is not built in a day," the ten-year milestone of the Buddha Museum is the result of fifty years of indescribable effort and hard work by the founder, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. To document this remarkable history and ensure its continuity, three new books were published in 2022-2023: Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in a Decade - An Illustrated Chronicle, Humanistic Buddhism - A Ten-Year Chronicle of the Buddha Museum, and Buddhist Maritime Silk Road - New Media Art Exhibition Catalog. Through these publications, museums worldwide and the cultural and educational community are invited to delve into the legacy of "Humanistic Buddhism" left behind by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.