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Mark Mullins receives the "Order of the Rising Sun" of the Japanese Government

Mark Mullins, Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Auckland and currently Senior Research Fellow at KFG, receives the award in recognition of his contributions to "promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand".

The "Order of the Rising Sun" has been awarded since 1875 and is the third highest order awarded by the Japanese government, but generally the highest order awarded to individuals. The Order is awarded to those who have achieved excellence in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, progress in their field, development in the field of well-being or conservation of the environment. Mark Mullins receives the Order of the Third Class: Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Congratulations!

Madlen Krüger: The Relationship between Buddhism and Politics in Sri Lanka

KFG Fellow Madlen Krüger recently published a book on “The relationship between Buddhism and politics in Sri Lanka. Narrative continuity through the construction of tradition” (“Das Verhältnis von Buddhismus und Politik in Sri Lanka. Narrative Kontinuität durch Traditionskonstruktion”).   

Starting from the 19th century, when kingship in Sri Lanka ended, Madlen Krüger sheds light on the processes in which the connection between Buddhism and politics was and still is negotiated in Sri Lanka. Introducing the discussion on the construction of tradition, she illustrates how pre-colonial epistemes and structures, such as the connection between king, monastic order and the people, are subject to new negotiation processes against the background of colonial influences and post-colonial upheavals. The focus is on religious-political debates that have taken place between politically active monks and the respective governments or presidents since independence in 1948 until the presidential elections in 2015. The book is written in German

Public Lectures

(Anti-)religious Intelligence of the Tricksters 

 On Monday, 11 November, Hans-Jürgen Scheuer (Berlin) will give a lecture on “The (anti-)religious intelligence of the Tricksters” (“Die (anti-)religiöse Intelligenz der Trickster”). The talk is part of the lecture series “Critique of Religion in Past and Present” (“Religionskritik in Geschichte und Gegenwart”), organised by the KFG associate member Horst Junginger. It will be held in German. 

Time: 3.15 p.m.
Venue: lecture hall 10, Leipzig University Campus

Taiwan’s Basic Religious Law 

On Tuesday, 12 November, Bhikkhu Shih Fatzang will give a lecture on “Taiwan’s Recent Movement toward the Legislation of The Basic Religious Law. Transition from Authoritarian Submission to Democratic Awakening”. The lecturer is the abbot of Wanfo Buddhist Monastery, leading the Sangha Forest Buddhist Order, and also the Chair of the Taiwan United Religions Organization. He is promoting the legislation of “The Basic Religious Law” in Taiwan and the topic of the lecture will reflect this current issue.

The lecture is organized by the Institute of East Asian Studies at Leipzig University, Chinese Studies.

Time: 5-7 p.m.
Venue: Schillerstr. 6, Room S202