International Symposium on the Buddhist Heritage of Gandhara

Morning Session 

9:00-9:40
Gandharan Buddhist Art: Origin, Theme, and Iconographic Symbolism
Prof. Dr. Ghani-ur-Rahman, Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations
Quaid-i-Azam, University Islamabad

9:40-10:20 
Revisiting the Architecture of Gandharan Stupas: Relics, Regality, and Devotion
Prof. Pia Brancaccio, Drexel University

10:20-10:40 
Coffee Break 

10:40-11:20 
Localized Dimensions of Buddhist Material Practices: Relic Establishment, Stūpa Cults, and Narrative Transmission Between Gandhara and Central Asia
Prof. Jason Neelis, Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo

11:20-12:00 
Morning Panel Discussion
Panelists:
Prof. Pia Brancaccio
Prof. Jason Neelis
Moderator: Prof. Ghani-ur-Rahman

12:00-1:30 
Lunch Break

Afternoon Session 

13:30-14:10 
Artists, Workshops and Early Gandharan Buddhism
Prof. Luca M. Olivieri, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

14:10-14:30 
Gandhara Buddhist Historiography, with Main References from Chinese Sources
Dr. Chai Yee Leow, Harvard University

14:30-14:50 
Coffee Break 

14:50-15:30 
The Utopia Afar through the Eyes of Vajra Holders: the Journey of Tibetan Pilgrims to the Swat Valley
Yunyao Zhai, Harvard University

Afternoon Panel Discussion
Panelists:
Dr. Chai Yee Leo
Yunyao Zhai
Moderator: Prof. Ghani-ur-Rahman

16:10-16:40 
Closing Remarks
Prof. James Robson, Harvard University 

16:40-17:00 
Remarks by Ms. Xuan, Sponsor of the Event

Join online via Zoom here: https://zoom.us/j/99053295116

Co-sponsored by Woodenfish; Harvard University Asia Center; Waksaw-Uddiyana Archaelogical Alliance; and Taxila Institute of Asian Civilization, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad