[INDOLOGY] International Workshop on Tantric Studies, Manipal, India January 23-27, 2017

Mon Aug 29 23:41:08 UTC 2016

*International Workshop on Tantric Studies*

*Manipal, India*

*January 23-27, 2017*

Organized by

Centre for Religious Studies

Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities

Manipal University, Manipal, India

*CALL FOR PARTICIPATION*

Centre for Religious Studies invites applications for a week-long *Workshop
on Tantric Studies* from January 23-27, 2017 in Manipal.

*About the Workshop*

The workshop will principally include a close textual reading of selections
from various Śaiva Tantric scriptures each followed by various
contributions and discussions. We will read the extracts from the following
texts:

   - • *Ratnatrayaparīkṣā* of Śrīkaṇṭha with the anonymous commentary kept
   in the Oriental Library of Mysore (MS Orlas P 269)

(session headed by Prof Francesco Sferra)

   - • *Sarvajñānottara* with Aghoraśiva’s commentary

(session headed by Prof Dominic Goodall)

   - • *Mokṣakārikā* with the vṛtti of Rāmakaṇṭha

(session headed by Dr Hugo David)

The aim is to examine tantric scriptural and post-scriptural literature,
much of which is unpublished or must be studied using numerous
manuscripts.  The *Ratnatrayaparīkṣā* is a ninth-century Kashmirian work in
over 300 stanzas that deals at length with all manner of tantric notions
connected with sound, language and sonic creation. A short commentary by
the famous twelfth-century South Indian theologian Aghoraśiva has been
published, but large fragments of what seems to be an older, more
exploratory and theologically intriguing commentary of unknown authorship
survive in a manuscript in Mysore.  The *Sarvajñānottara* is a non-dualist
tantra that survives in a fragmentary ninth-century codex from Nepal, as
well as in many damaged South Indian manuscripts. Its text can only fully
be reconstructed, however, with the additional help of Aghoraśiva's dualist
commentary, a further interest of which is that it consistently subverts
the text's non-dualism by ingenious distortions. The *Mokṣakārikā* is a
work on liberation by the earliest tantric theologian of whom works are
known to survive, Sadyojotiḥ (c. 675–725). A tenth-century commentary by
the Kashmirian thinker Bhaṭṭa Rāmakaṇṭha has been published, but a recourse
to manuscripts reveals that it can be improved on every page.

*Deadline for Application:*  *Tuesday 1 November, 2016*

*Program and Faculty*

Prof Dominic Goodall, Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO), Pondicherry,
India

Prof Francesco Sferra, Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale",
Naples, Italy

Dr Anjaneya Sarma, Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO), Pondicherry,
India

Dr Hugo David, Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO), Pondicherry, India

There will be plenty of opportunities for interaction and participation.
The morning and afternoon sessions will include the readings of the text in
Sanskrit followed by special lectures in the afternoon. The seminar will be
held in English and readings will be circulated in advance. Special events
like Yakshagana performance which is a native folk theatre form of Malenadu
region in Karnataka, will be organized besides an afternoon excursion to
the local Jaina temples in Karkala. There also will be opportunities for
exploring the incredible richness and diversity of the region.

*Selection Criteria*

Advanced comprehension of Sanskrit language and the reading ability in
Devanāgarī script is required. We seek interested research students and
scholars from across India and abroad. The selection will be made based on
the strength of the application. We cannot accept more than 25
participants  and the priority will be given to the applications from
research scholars in disciplines or with experience in Sanskrit,
Philosophy, Indology, Religion and Literature. There will be a
participation fee for all participants. Applicants will be informed about
the decision of selection after the deadline of application.

*Location and Accommodation*

The event will be hosted by Manipal University and its Centre for Religious
Studies in the picturesque ocean-side state of Karnataka in south-western
India. Scholars will be housed in international student residences. The
space is wheelchair accessible. A registration fee will be charged that
includes working lunch, tea/coffee with snacks and accommodation for five
nights. Travel cost will not be reimbursed.

*Registration Fees*

Registration is mandatory for attending the workshop. If you are a member
of Manipal University and want to attend the workshop, please get in touch
with the coordinator to follow the process.

Regular Participants: Rs. 2000 (for single accommodation)

Student Participants: Rs. 1500 (for shared accommodation)

*Application Information*

Applications should include the following, preferably sent as PDFs:
1. Description of research interests and their relevance to the topic of
the workshop (max. 300 words)
2. Brief Curriculum Vitae / resume highlighting relevant skills, experience
and training.

*Applications should be sent to: *

Mr Vivek Kumar Radhakrishnan (Ph.D. Scholar)

Co-convenor-International Workshop on the Tantric Studies

<vivek.logos at gmail.com>

*with a copy to:*

Dr Mrinal Kaul

(Convenor-International Workshop on the Tantric Studies)

Coordinator

Centre for Religious Studies

Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities

Manipal University

email: <mrinalkaul81 at gmail.com>

Tel +91-820-29-23567 (Office)

*For more information, please contact:*

Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities

Dr TMA Pai Planetarium Complex, Alevoor Road

Manipal – 576104

Tel +91-820-2923561

office.mcph at manipal.edu

------
Mrinal Kaul
Centre for Religious Studies (CRS)
Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities (MCPH)
Manipal University
Dr TMA Pai Planetarium Complex
Alevoor Road, Manipal 576 104
Karnataka, INDIA
Tel +91-820-29-23567 Extn: 23567
https://manipal.academia.edu/MrinalKaul
http://mcphcommunity.org
email: mrinal.kaul at manipal.edu

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