PLEASE SUBMIT ALL PROPOSALS AT THIS GOOGLE DRIVE LINK.

Please note: for security purposes, this form REQUIRES that you sign-in using a Google (gmail) account. Please feel free to reach us at contact@burningrefuge.org should you have any issues with the form or otherwise.

As of 8 November 2024, the deadline for submission is set for January 15 2025!

Introduction

We are excited to announce the academic conference "BURNING REFUGE," which will explore the connections between Buddhism and various liberation approaches in today’s society. This interdisciplinary event will examine how Buddhist teachings can address contemporary challenges and transcend traditional boundaries. We aim to create a dynamic forum for diverse perspectives from religious studies, philosophy, social sciences, and technology, illuminating new pathways for social-to-spiritual liberation.

2025 Theme: Diaspora Buddhism

This year the Burning Refuge Conference is thematically centered around diaspora Buddhism, a new term coined by the founding director Matta Zheng referring to a vision of Buddhism based in honoring, rather than marginalizing, the full spectrum of diversity in the Asian Buddhist diaspora. For more information on this thematic framework, please visit our website burningrefuge.org.

This theme invites participants, presenters, and all attendees to consider how their work relates to diaspora Buddhism and Buddhists, broadly defined. This invitation is intended to be supportive, not limiting – we still welcome a full breadth of proposals.

Scope and Topics of Interest

We further welcome a wide range of topics related to liberation—social, spiritual, or otherwise—as they pertain to Buddhism. While we suggest five overarching themes to inspire submissions, applicants are free to explore other relevant areas:

Buddhism & Race, White Supremacy, and Colonialism
Buddhism & Sex, Gender, and Queer/Trans Being
Buddhism & Capitalism, Labor, and Work
Buddhism & Technology, AI, and Progress
Buddhism & Animal Liberation, Environmental Justice, and Deep Ecology

Submission Guidelines

In addition to plenary keynotes, the conference will feature panel presentations and experiential activities. We invite proposals for papers and workshops from scholars and practitioners across diverse fields and career stages.

Focus Areas: We seek submissions that reflect various disciplinary perspectives, including religious studies, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and history. Contributions from underrepresented groups and international scholars are especially welcome.

Proceedings:

Oral Presentations: Papers will be presented in panels (15-20 minutes each), followed by audience discussion. Papers will be pre-circulated.
Experiential Activities: Workshops or performances (45-90 minutes each).

Language: All presentations and activities will be in English, with limited translation services available.

Paper Submission Requirements:

Title of the presentation.
An abstract (250-300 words) summarizing the research question, methodology, and findings.
Full paper drafts are encouraged but not required; recommended length is 5-14 pages.
Presenter(s) name, affiliation, and contact information.
A brief biography (50-100 words).
Relevant focus area(s) aligning with conference themes.

Experiential Activity Submission Requirements:

We invite proposals for experiential activities related to the conference themes. Include:

Title of the activity.
An abstract (250-300 words).
A detailed description, including type, purpose, outline, materials, format, target audience, and maximum attendees.
Presenter(s) name, affiliation, and contact information.
A brief biography (50-100 words).
Relevant focus area(s).

Key Logistical Information

Key Dates:

Proposal Submission Deadline:
Notification of Acceptance:
Conference Dates: March 14-16, 2025, at Harvard Divinity School.

Accepted proposals will be included in the conference program. Timely registration is required for presenters. While we value all contributions, we cannot provide honoraria. We encourage participants to seek funding opportunities from their institutions or external sources.

For inquiries regarding the submission process, please contact us.

We look forward to a rich exchange of perspectives at "BURNING REFUGE" and to advancing our understanding of Buddhism's role in contemporary liberation.

Key Advisories:

Please note that we cannot offer any financial, transportation, housing, and/or other support for selected presenters to attend. Selected presenters are responsible for their own costs.

Presenters requesting to present virtually will be considered on to case-to-case basis.

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL PROPOSALS AT THIS GOOGLE DRIVE LINK.