The Study Centre of the Italian Buddhist Union renews its commitment to supporting education and research in Buddhist Studies at Italian universities, collaborating with institutions such as La Sapienza (Rome), Ca’ Foscari (Venice), and L’Orientale (Naples), as well as with the National Doctorate in Religious Studies (DREST) and the Italian Association for Tibetan, Himalayan and Mongolian Studies (AISTHiM).
Within this context, a new framework agreement has recently been signed with the Centre for Buddhist Studies, part of the Department of Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean at the University of Naples “L’Orientale.” This dynamic centre is dedicated to promoting research and disseminating knowledge about Buddhism in its various forms through conferences, seminars, workshops, and advanced training initiatives.
Thanks to this collaboration, a rich programme of joint initiatives is planned for 2025, starting with the Spring Hybrid Lecture Series 2025: a spring lecture series designed for a broad, interdisciplinary audience. The events will be held in person at the prestigious venues of “L’Orientale” University and will also be accessible online, upon registration.
The lectures will explore a wide range of topics, addressing key themes in Buddhist thought and its evolution across time and space. Topics will include: the impermanence of existence, death and reincarnation in Tibetan society, Buddhism in Central Asia, the paths of knowledge pursued by yogis and scholars, meditation between Tibetan tradition and contemporary perspectives, and Buddhism in the era of artificial intelligence.
Scholars from various Italian and European universities will share their research, offering insights and tools for deeper understanding, aimed not only at an academic audience but also at anyone interested in the cultural, philosophical, meditative, and spiritual dimensions of Buddhism.
With the Spring Hybrid Lecture Series 2025, the UBI Study Centre and the Centre for Buddhist Studies reaffirm their intention to create a fertile space for dialogue and exploration, where the Buddhist tradition can engage with contemporary challenges from an open, secular, and scientific perspective.
The lectures will be open to the public, with special attention to students of the DREST programme, already partners of the UBI Study Centre in various research initiatives.
Participation is free of charge, either in person or online, but registration is required via email: centrostudisulbuddhismo@gmail.com
Download the full programme here.
