SYNCRETISM IN SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA: ADOPTION AND ADAPTATION

Bangkok, Thailand - On the 2550th Anniversary of Buddhism, Mahidol University will be organising SSEASR with sub-themes on women and religion, health and healing, education and religious studies, ethnic mosaic of South and Southeast Asia and many more.

Since time immemorial, the region of South and Southeast Asia has played a pivotal role in carrying the traits of culture and religion not only amongst its own societies but also beyond. The basic carriers of such elements were Hinduism and Buddhism which took various routes (both land and sea) to reach the pre-modern Southeast Asia. Later on Islam and Christianity also entered the region and added lustre to the ‘culture mosaic’. The concept of syncretism in this area was not only visible in religious scenes but also in various spheres of socio-cultural life. As we know, the word “religion” in South and Southeast Asia goes beyond its general definition. With the widest scope of syncretism in every aspect, ‘religion’ encompasses here every action of life: be it social customs, language and literature, art and architecture, polity, economics or commerce, performing arts and communication.

The Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Mahidol University, Thailand is pleased to host the 2nd SSEASR Conference on the very auspicious occasion where scholars and writers from various parts of the world are likely to join together with their academic presentation.

Sub-themes

1. Ethnic Mosaic of South and Southeast Asia
2. Syncretic Systems in South and Southeast Asia
3. Language and Literature: Binding Force
4. Women and Religion
5. Symbolism( Art and Architecture), Communication and Religion
6. Education and Religious Studies
7. Faith and Survival: Diasporas from South and Southeast Asia
8. Polity, Trade and Religion
9. Religion: Peace, Violence and Dialogue
10. Tradition vis-à-vis Globalization
11. Religion, Health and Healing
12. Religion and Ecology

Since this is the 2550th Anniversary of Buddhism, we particularly invite scholars and papers dealing with Buddhism. Participants are requested to submit research papers in English language on any of the relevant sub-themes. An Abstract of 250 words is expected, preferably by E-mail.

A special symposium on Kingship and Religion would be held on the inaugural day. There would be an Exhibition of the Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage during the Conference, which would showcase the culture of South and Southeast Asia. A workshop on Science and Spirituality is also planned. We plan to have world-renowned plenary speakers on the religions of South and Southeast Asia from various parts of the world.

The Organising Committee is also working on a Temple Tour of Bangkok and around. There is a plan to have a chartered flight to Cambodia for Angkor Vat, along with a visit to Phnom Penh, at a special price for the SSEASR delegates. Certain other programmes are also on the way which would be sent to those who pre-register for the Conference.

The relevant registration amount(as mentioned in the page REGISTRATION) can be sent to us by a bank draft or personal cheque payable to the Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Mahidol University,Thailand and sent to us by post at the Conference Secretariat address given below.

Submission of Abstract: February 15, 2006

Submission of Full Paper: April 15, 2007

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Sophana Srichampa, Secretary General
Chair, SSEASR Conference Organising Committee
Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development
Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakornpathom
73170 THAILAND
Tel: (662) 800-2308-14
MOBILE (66)-6-168-5475
Fax (662)-800-2332

or

Dr Amarjiva Lochan, President
SSEASR Secretariat
95,Vidya Vihar, Outer Ring Road, Pitampura
Delhi 110034 INDIA
Telefax (91-11) 27028399
MOBILE (91) 9811798499

Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
website: www.sseasr.org

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SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SSEASR

4/2/2007 - We are delighted to receive paper proposals numbering around 300 so far from as many as 53 countries. Meanwhile, you may be aware of the great honour bestowed upon our SSEASR as HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand has kindly consented to grace the occasion by presiding the Conference.

VENUE

The conference will be held in the serene campus of the Mahidol University, at Nakhon Pathom, a twin city coterminous with the boundaries of the Bangkok Metropolis( 36 km from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport; 18 km from the main downtown area, and regularly connected with A/C Bus). Nakhon Pathom has a very significant historical background in the history of Buddhism in Thailand. It is believed to be the first place where the two Indian monks (sent by Mauryan Emperor Asoka), Sona and Uttara landed up to bring the wisdom of Buddhism in the third century BC. A highly revered Buddhist stupa under the Royal Patronage is there known as Pathom Chedi ( Prathama Chaitya).

REGISTRATION

The registration amount (as mentioned in the web page link REGISTRATION) can be sent to us by a US$ or Euro bank draft/personal cheque payable to the Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Mahidol University,Thailand and sent to us by post at the Conference office in Thailand:

Dr. Sophana Srichampa, Secretary General and Chair, SSEASR Conference Organising Committee, Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakornpathom 73170 THAILAND

The registration money and hotel ADVANCE can be sent through electronic transfer also:

DETAILS OF E-TRANSFER

1. BANK NAME : THE SIAM COMMERCIAL BANK P.C.L.,

2. BRANCH NAME: MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY SUB BRANCH

3. BANK ADDRESS: 999 MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY, PHUTMONTHOL SAI 4 ROAD, TAMBOL SALAYA, AMPHUR PHUTMONTHOL, PROVINCE NAKHONPATHOM, ZIP CODE 73170

4. ACCOUNT NAME: INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE AND CULTURE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

5. ACCOUNT NO: 333-2 21774-5

6. SWIFT CODE: SICOTHBK

(Kindly add in your transfer amount the processing fee of the bank also which varies from bank to bank (would not be more than US$ 20 per transaction ). Please send an email informing us of such transfer with the details of the payments and its purpose (such as registration, hotel or Cambodia trip advance)

REGISTRATION RATE (w.e.f. January 1 2007)

LOCAL PARTICIPANTS: Baht 3,000
Fulltime Students: Baht 1,500
Foreigners in Thailand: Baht 4,000

FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS: US $250
Fulltime Students: US $ 100
Developing Countries: US $ 150

Everybody coming to the Conference has to be registered by paying separate registration amount (the child below 5 is not required to do so). Those who are registered with us will be received at the airport by us. The registration amount would cover a conference kit, SSEASR souvenir book, local sightseeing tour and coffee/tea breaks, 4 lunches and two dinners during the Conference.

NOTE FOR INDIAN PARTICIPANTS:

The Indian delegates may pay the amount in Indian Rupees to SSEASR office in India. Please get in touch with Delhi([email protected]).

ACCOMMODATION

We have made arrangements for the on-campus air-conditioned Studio stay which would cost only US$ 30 for a single (with breakfast and VAT), double/twinshare US$ 40(distance 1 km form the venue but regular pick-up and send-back facilities available). All of these rooms/beds have the internet connection and can be accessed by your laptop computer.

The SALAYA PAVILION HOTEL has no more rooms left. Other hotel choices (a bit far, 18 km away but with a possibility to pick up in the morning) have been negotiated and we have come out with fabulous discount (breakfast included) which are as follows.

Royal City Hotel (4 Star):
Borommaratchachonnani Road, Bang Bamru, Bang Phlat Bangkok 10700

Deluxe Single 1,600 Baht, Double 1,800 Baht

Superior Single 1400 Baht, Double 1600 Baht

Reserve room: Email: [email protected]

Tel: 662-435-8888, 661-914-8615 Reserve a room: Attention to Ms. Tewin (refer to Mahidol Conference in May)
(We have kept 30 rooms reserved there, and you have to pay them directly).

S.D. Avenue Hotel (3 Star):

Deluxe single 1,500 Baht, Double 1,600 Baht

Attn. Ms. Nipa (refer to Mahidol Conference in May)

94 Borommarat Chachonnani Road, Bang Bamru, Bang Phlat, Bangkok 10700

email: [email protected] Tel: 662-02-4340400-2, 666-338-4872

Single 1000 Baht and double 1200 Baht

Tel: 662-02-4340400-2, 666-338-4872

(We have kept 40 rooms reserved there, and you have to pay them directly)

For accommodation at our Campus, please send one night deposit along with the registration money. FOR THE OFF CAMPUS HOTELS MENTIONED ABOVE, YOU CAN MAKE PAYMENT DIRECTLY through their email .

OFFICIAL CARRIER

The Thai Airways is the Official Carrier of the SSEASR, and is giving discount for the registered participants of the SSEASR conference. The level of discount varies from country to country. Better check it up with the office of the THAI in your country/town. Those flying from India can have competitive internet fare from the Indian Airlines and the AIR INDIA for Bangkok. It can be bought online by debit/credit card ONLY.

TRAVEL TO CAMBODIA (Angkor Vat & Phnom Penh)

The travel programme for Cambodia (Angkor Vat and Phnom Penh) is worked out. We have made it economically viable for most of us, and in particular, for the South and Southeast Asian participants from developing countries. It would last for 3 nights and 4 days. It would start on May 28 at 7 A.M. to end on May 31 at 10 A.M. (back to Bangkok airport). Our plane would land at Phnom Penh on May 28, and then we would move to Siem Reap by a/c luxury bus (4 1/2 hours ride) passing through rural Cambodia. On May 30, we would come back to Phnom Penh for a visit to the National Museum, the Royal Palace and of course, the mighty Mekhong River. On May 31, we all board the flight early morning to reach Bangkok by 10 AM. Please send your intention if you plan to join this trip by February 15, 2007. AN ADVANCE DEPOSIT OF US $ 200 per person is required BY THAT TIME along with full name and passport details.

Domestic travel assistance is being provided through a Travel Desk at the Conference Venue.

VISA

The visa for Thailand is available on arrival for all (except those from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan) at Bangkok airport, and it takes not more than 20 minutes to acquire it. Please keep a passport size photo ready and 1000 Thai Baht (only Baht is acceptable, and you can change any currency into Thai Baht in a bank counter near VISA ON ARRIVAL office 24 hours a day),. For Cambodian visa, we recommend you to buy before coming though there is a provision to buy the same on arrival (like Thai visa) and the amount is US$ 20( only cash US$) along with a passport size photo.

CRUISE DINNER ON CHAO PHYA RIVER

There is a River Cruise dinner on May 26. The cruise dinner would be having both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and its rate would be known only when we know the total number of participants (the rate varies on the basis of the size of ship). It can be paid on arrival; you can inform us of your intended participation in advance by email. Please join this wonderful experience of seeing Bangkok sky line by night!

WEATHER

Bangkok is a tropical city so it is pretty warm throughout the year! In the end-May it has a spray of rain (lasting mostly from 30 to 40 minutes) and the temperature fluctuates between maximum 33 � C (91.0 � F) to minimum 27 � C (80.0 � F). It may be pleasantly hot for the South Asians but very hot for the people from the West. Therefore, prepare your umbrella and clothing accordingly.

From 24 Mar 2007
Until 27 Mar 2007
Bangkok, Thailand
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