Buddhism and the Belt & Road: An Expedition from the Origin

Call For Paper

Conference Theme: Buddhism and the Belt & Road:  An Expedition from the Origin

Organizer:

Hong Kong Chu Hai College Ng Teng Fong · Sino Group Belt and Road Research Institute

Hong Kong Chu Hai College Centre of Buddhist Studies

Introduction:

Buddhism originated in South Asia and has exerted profound influence across Asia for more than two millennia, spreading to Europe and Western countries in recent centuries. Pilgrimages connect South Asia to Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia via land-based Silk Roads and maritime routes, giving rise to an interconnected civilisation network. Buddhism presents itself to the world not only with its unique religious values and practices but also with its rich arts, infused with wisdom symbols and regional features.

This Conference aims to trace the very origin of Buddhism and its transformative trajectory across philosophical discourses, regional cultural adaptations, and artistic visualisation and sensation. Through cross-disciplinary studies, a multifaceted cultural understanding and harmonisation could be embraced and co-created along the Belt and Road regions.

Sub-theme:

1. Evolution of the Silk Road Buddhist Arts: From Early Buddhist Arts to the Chinese Style

• Influence of the Gandhāran and other early Buddhist arts on Chinese arts
• The diffusion of Buddhist arts across the Silk Road: Texts, Languages, Images, and Cultural Practices
• The Sinicisation trajectory of Buddhist arts

2. Manifestation and Dissemination of the Buddhist Traditions across the Civilisations

• Interactions and influences of Buddhism with the regional civilisations across the Eurasian continent
• Interplays between Buddhism and political, economic, social, and cultural dynamics along the Silk Road

Conference Detail:

Conference Period:     30 October to 1 November 2026 (Friday to Sunday)

Optional Activity: Buddhism-related cultural activities

on 1 November 2026 (Sunday)

Conference Venue:      Campus of the Hong Kong Chu Hai College

80 Castle Peak Road, Castle Peak Bay, Tuen Mun, N.T., HK

Language:                         both English and Chinese are accepted

Enquiry Email:              nsbrri.conference.2@chuhai.edu.hk

Enquiry Number:        (852) 2972 7341 (English) / (852) 2972 7278 (Chinese)

Conference Guidelines:

1. In-person participation.
2. Participants to be responsible for their own international/local travelling expenses, and local accommodations/meals.
3. Conference Organiser will provide:
   1. Two working lunches during the conference period;
   2. Optional 1-day cultural activities (1 Nov (Sun));
   3. Visa supporting services to the confirmed participants.

Paper submission:

1. Through the online submission portal: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=budbri26
2. An abstract should be a single paragraph, ranging from 250 to 500 words, to be submitted for preliminary review on/before 31 July 2026.
3. Upon receiving the conference confirmation, which is to be disseminated around early August, the full article is to be submitted on/before 30 September 2026.