Conference Notice

2009 May 15th-17th Chinese Cultivation: Chan & Dao with Professor Livia Kohn, in Manchester, UK.

Posted on 24. Mar, 2009 by Cohen Elliot in Conference Notice

The Manchester Academy for Transpersonal Studies is excited and delighted to announce a three day workshop with international scholar, author and practitioner Professor Livia Kohn.

Livia is the Professor of Religion and East Asian Studies at Boston University, USA, and has many years experience in both the theoretical and the practical applications of Chinese Cultivation. The workshop will include introductions to Chan (Zen Buddhist) and Daoist philosophy and practice.

Rothenburg TCM conference 2009

Posted on 15. Feb, 2009 by Noll Andreas in Conference Notice

 

East-West reception

The theme of the Rothenburg Kongress 2009 “Jing Shen” confronts us with our interpretation and ideas of the translated terms “Es¬sence” and “Mind/ Spirit”. Jing-Essence appears to be associated with that which is most important, which is stable, permanent and valuable. But what is the nature of the connection between this idea of permanence and the idea of our life being in a state of constant change? What is the Lingshu trying to tell us by saying that Essence is “what a person generates but what has always been in existence before”? Is it also that which shows consistence, which is old? Does this mean that whatever is old is also valuable? Why is it that nowadays we admire old, unvarnished and worm-ridden furniture? Why do we cherish the old and ancient aspects in the classics and in Chinese Medicine? Why do the Chinese have hardly any (moral) issue with copying old original artifacts?

The same applies for the idea of “Shen”, often being translated as “Mind/ Spirit”. To what extent does the Chinese idea of Mind and Spirit match ours and what actually is the relationship between body and soul? Is it similar to the ideas of the ancient Greeks, namely Plato, and later on Christian Religion who state that the sublime, superior and eternal soul is designed to rule the void, mortal and inferior body?

The Taoist Body with Dr. Livia Kohn

Posted on 14. Feb, 2009 by stephanwik in Conference Notice

May 8 - 10, 2009 The Wuji Centre, Belgium

If you are interested in

  • Taoist Energy Practices 
  • Health & longevity techniques
  • The concepts behind Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Feng Shui, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture

then please join us in a weekend workshop in May with one of the world’s leading Taoist scholars, Dr. Livia Kohn.

The Past, Present, and Future of Daoism

Posted on 13. Feb, 2009 by LvKohn in Conference Notice

June 18-22, 2009, Wudangshan, Hubei, China

The fifth in a series of international conferences on Daoism to be held every year or two in China, Europe, or North America, this meeting follows conferences in Boston 2003, Chengdu 2004, Munich 2006; and Hong Kong 2007. The aim of the meeting is to promote academic exchange and research in the field of Daoism, and conferences will cover both contemporary and historical topics related to socio-cultural constructions of Daoist identities, beliefs, and practices.

Wudangshan is the devotional center of one of the most important deities of the Daoist pantheon—Zhenwu dadi（also known as Xuantian shangdi. Beginning in the Northern Song (960-1127), the Zhenwu cult received imperial sponsorship which continued and grew through the Ming (1368-1644). In the Yongle reign of the Ming (1402-1424), a massive project created a Daoist complex that was arguably the most ambitious and impressive architectural achievement of the empire outside of the Imperial Palace in Beijing. That complex is today recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and continues to receive a large number of pilgrims every year from across China and Southeast Asia.

The conference is sponsored by Yunyang Teachers’ College, Rutgers University, the Hong Kong Taoist Association, the Yuen Yuen Institute, Wudangshan Town, and the Wudang Daoist Association. Chief organizers are Yang Lizhi and Liu Xun, assisted by a steering committee which includes Li Gang, Lü Xichen, Zhang Qin, Mei Li, Shin-yi Chao, Tang Weixia, and Wu Jingxing.