With the strong support of the Dunhuang Research Academy, China, the Silkroad Foundation and Yale University are organizing its fourth seminar on Dunhuang art and society, to be held at the Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, from June 29-July 12, 2008. A trip to visit Buddhist art sites in east Xinjiang, including Balikun, Hami, Turfan, Jimsar, and Urmuqi, will follow (July 13-20). The invited speakers include Roderick Whitfield, Mimi Yiengpruksawan, Nei Schmid and Ning Qiang from the US side and Peng Jingzhang, Wang Huimin, Liu Yongzheng, Zhang Xiantang and Wang Binghua from the China side. Seminar participants will examine the paintings and sculptures in the Mogao and Yulin caves with the experts listed above and interact with local scholars formally and informally. In addition to visits to the Buddhist caves, this interdisciplinary seminar will provide onsite lectures/discussions examining a wide range of issues relating to Chinese art, religion, politics, and society.
The official language of the seminar is English.
Seminar Fee: The comprhensive seminar fee is $1,060 for double which covers cave visit fees at Mogao and Yulin, accommodations at the Mogao Guest House and weekend excusions in the Dunhuang region.
Post-Seminar Trip - Xinjiang: July 13-20
The post-seminar trip to Xinjiang costs $625 for double and $800 for single.
Day1, Dunhuang - Hami Balikun by bus (520km, 7-8hours) visit Dahetang Ancient ruins.
Day2, Bus to Hami, (110km) Baiyanggou ruins, Museum visit and Hami King's Tom.
Day3, Bus to Turpan (420km 5-6 hours) Bezeklik
Day4, Tuyugou caves, Gaochang Ancient city, Museum visit.
Day5, Jiaohe Ancient city. Bus to Jimsar. (340km 5h)
Day6, Beiting ruins and Uygur Tample. Bus to Urumqi (140km 2h)
Day7, Museum.
Day8, Fly back to US
List of Lectures
Roderick Whitfield:
1. The eight-armed wood image of a Bodhisattva from Dunhuang, in the Pelliot collection, Musée nationale des arts asiatiques Guimet, Paris.
2. Two gilt-bronze images of Mahakala and Hevajra from Wuwei, Gansu Province, and the painting of Hevajra in Mogao Cave 465.
Ning Qiang:
1. The Issues of Patronage and Image-making in Early Dunhuang Caves
2. Paradise Images in Tang Dynasty China.
Mimi Yiengpruksawas:
1. On the Hybrid Nature of the Amitabha Hall at Byodoin
2. Dunhuang and Japan: Visual Links in Buddhist Art
Neil Schmid:
1. The Cult of Sakyamuni at Dunhuang
2. The Ritual Manipulation of Time and Space: Eight Aspects of Buddha's Life (Baxiang bian) and Astamahapratiharya
Note: lecture information by Chinese scholars at the Dunhuang Research Academy will be available later.
Registration: The online registration should be submitted to the Silkroad Foundation by 12/20. The full nonrefundable payment is due by 2/15/2008 once you are accepted to the program.
Maximum of thirty participants will be accepted. For more information, please contact the program director, Prof. Ning Qiang or contact the Silkroad Foundation via email dunhuangseminar@silkroadfoundation.org
