International Conference

Law, Buddhism, and Social Change: A Conversation with the 14th Dalai Lama

Wednesday, September 20:
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Thursday, September 21: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
O'Brian Hall, North Campus

A two-day academic conference "Law, Buddhism, and Social Change" at the University at Buffalo will open with a conversation with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on the morning of Wednesday, September 20, in the Law Library in O'Brian Hall on the North Campus. This important conference represents the path-breaking efforts of the Law and Buddhism project at UB, the only such academic endeavor in the world. Although Law and Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism are established and well-endowed areas of study, the study of Law and Buddhism is new.

Renowned scholars from all over the world will join UB professors of law, philosophers, and local lawyers, to discuss a set of questions that the Dalai Lama has rarely, or never before, addressed. We expect that the conversation will be expansive with questions ranging from constitutions as a social order and government regulation of television, to the purpose of criminal punishment and the Karmic consequences of legal decisions.

The conference discussions and presentations will focus on three central themes: the Buddha as Lawgiver: Monastic and Secular Communities; Social Change and Buddhism: Buddhism's Effect on Different Legal Systems in Asia; and Social Change and Conscience, Self and Society. Each theme will be explored through participants' own research as well as their reflections upon the remarks of the Dalai Lama.

The UB Law School and the interdisciplinary Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy at UB have organized this unique event.

For more information and registration visit: www.law.buffalo.edu/baldycenter/dalailamaconv06.htm

Sponsored by the University at Buffalo Law School and the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy. The contribution of other sponsors is gratefully acknowledged: UB President's Office, Law School Alumni Association, UB Department of Philosophy.