Dunhuang Art and Society: On-site Seminar (June 29-July 12, 2008)

With the strong support of the Dunhuang Research Academy, China,
the Silkroad Foundation is 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, Neil Schmid and Ning Qiang
from the US side and Wang Huimin, Liu Yongzheng, Zhao Shengliang and
Zhang Yuanlin 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 on-site 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 comprehensive seminar fee is $1,160 for double, which
covers cave visit fees at Mogao and Yulin, accommodations at the Mogao
Guest House and weekend excursions 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 (University of London):

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 (Connecticut College):

1. The Issues of Patronage and Image-making in Early Dunhuang Caves

2. Paradise Images in Tang Dynasty China.

Mimi Yiengpruksawas (Yale University):

1. On the Hybrid Nature of the Amitâbha Hall at Byôdôin

2. Dunhuang and Japan: Visual Links in Buddhist Art

Neil Schmid (North Carolina State University):

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: Please visit the Silkroad Foundation website
http://www.silkroadfoundation.org
<http://www.silkroadfoundation.org/>
for online registration. The application 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
Silkroad Foundation via email dhseminar08silkroadfoundation.org

Neil Schmid