The South Asian Studies Association (SASA) 2023 Conference took place on March 25th at Loyola Marymount University and featured an array of presentations from renowned scholars and researchers from around the world. Among them were UWest faculty and students, who presented their research papers during Session Four of the conference.
Dr. Miroj Shakya, Chair of Religious Studies, along with REL PhD students Sirinanda Unaleeye and Alex Amies, represented UWest at the conference. Dr. Shakya’s paper, titled “The Digital Dhāraṇī Project: Preserving Rare Incantation Manuscripts from Nepal”, explores the preservation of rare manuscripts from Nepal. Sirinanda Unaleeye’s paper, “The Practice of Mindfulness in Sri Lanka”, discusses the role of mindfulness practices in Sri Lankan culture. Alex Amies presented his paper titled “Collection of Records Concerning the Buddhist Canon: A Catalog of South Asian Texts by Seng You.”
Dr. Shakya’s paper delves into the importance of preserving rare manuscripts from Nepal, which are often at risk of being lost or damaged due to factors such as climate change, natural disasters, and human negligence. The Digital Dhāraṇī Project aims to protect these valuable cultural artifacts and make them accessible to scholars and researchers around the world.
Sirinanda Unaleeye’s paper explores the role of mindfulness practices in Sri Lankan culture. Mindfulness has become increasingly popular in recent years for its potential to promote mental and physical well-being. Unaleeye’s paper highlights the cultural significance of mindfulness in Sri Lanka and its integral role in daily life.
Alex Amies’ paper focuses on the cataloging of South Asian texts by Seng You, a Chinese Buddhist monk who lived during the Tang dynasty. The catalog is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in the history and development of Buddhism in South Asia.
The SASA 2023 Conference provided an excellent opportunity for scholars and researchers to come together and share their knowledge and research on South Asia. https://sasaonline.net.
