On the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, the European Buddhist Union (EBU) invites the Buddhist community and interested members of the public to reflect on the future of European Buddhism. The conference, led by authoritative voices in contemporary Buddhist thought and younger representatives, will explore how this tradition can evolve in an era of profound social, technological, and environmental changes.
The program will feature three thematic sessions, each structured around a key question for the identity of contemporary Buddhism, encouraging both debate among keynote speakers and active dialogue with the audience.
Speakers
Stephen Batchelor is a British Buddhist teacher and writer known for his secular or agnostic approach to the Dharma. A former monk in the Tibetan and Zen traditions, he is a translator and the author of several books, including Buddhism Without Beliefs, After Buddhism, and Secular Buddhism. His forthcoming work, Buddha, Socrates and Us: Ethical Living in an Uncertain World, will be published in August by Yale University Press.
Ven Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā is an Italian-born scholar and Buddhist nun. Her research focuses on early Buddhist discourses, the development of meditative traditions in India, and monastic law, drawing from sources in Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, and Khotanese. She leads the Āgama Research Group at the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts in Taiwan and is currently a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
Peter D. Hershock is Program Director for Asian Studies Development and leads Humane AI at the East-West Center in Honolulu. His philosophical work draws on Buddhist conceptual resources to address contemporary issues. His publications include Buddhism and Intelligent Technology and Consciousness Mattering.
Gábor Karsai is currently Managing Director of Mind & Life Europe, having been a long-time member, and is Rector and Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the Dharma Gate Buddhist College in Budapest. His leadership in nonprofit organizations is complemented by his commitment to contemplative practice and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Ioana Spataru is a Human Rights Trainer, Life Coach, and Youth Worker based in Vienna. Thirteen years ago, she joined the Youth Buddhist group of the Austrian Buddhist Union in search of her spiritual path and has led it since 2022. With an academic background in cultural and social anthropology and experience as a Roma rights activist, she promotes discussions on Buddhist philosophy and history, peace education, and social transformation through Buddhist practices.
Program
09:00–09:30 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
09:30–11:00 | Session 1: How can European Buddhism embrace modern worldviews?
With Francesco Tormen
11:00–11:30 | Coffee Break
11:30–13:00 | Session 2: How can European Buddhism be “engaged”?
With Chiara Mascarello
13:00–14:30 | Lunch Break
14:30–16:00 | Session 3: Is a European Sangha possible?
With Dharmacharini Munisha
16:00 | Closing Comments and Farewell
Organizing Committee
Stefano Davide Bettera, Martin Schaurhofer, Carlotta Segre
Emma Bano, Chiara Mascarello, Francesco Tormen
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