7^th International Conference on Daoist Studies

The seventh in a series of major conferences on Daoist studies and modern application, this follows a tradition that began in Boston (2003) and continued through Mt. Qingcheng (2004), Fraueninsel in Bavaria (2006), Hong Kong (2007), Mt. Wudang (2009), and Los Angeles (2010).

This year’s location is the spectacular southern marchmount, Mt. Heng near Changsha in Hunan, with its great peaks and temples and, most importantly, the site of the Kundao Training School for Daoist nuns. More than that, the conference coincides with the graduation ceremony of the current class, the third ever to complete the training. We will have a chance to observe and congratulate.

The theme is women: concepts of the feminine, visions of yin and yang, position of women in Daoist history, practices associated with women traditionally, the social and religious roles of women today, as well as traditional women’s internal alchemy and modern forms of qigong and other Daoist-inspired health practices.

Sponsors: Religious Research Center of Central South University,

Hunan Taoist Association

Presentations: individual papers (20-25 mins) or complete panels, with three papers plus chair, discussant (2 hour session).

Forums: 3 or 4 individual papers or text readings that are not presented but posted on the web a month ahead of time for participants to study; session focuses on discussion

Workshops: 2 hours, with emphasis on practice and experience

Languages: English, Chinese

Keynote: Catherine Despeux, “Daoist Women in Chinese Culture”

Fee: US $150, includes:

participation and program; visit to Nanyue temples

transfer from Changsha airport (CSX) to Nanyue train station and hotel

Room and Board: free of charge for foreign participants, thanks to the generous hospitality of Master Huang Zhian, abbot and  director of the Kundao Academy

Registration: Email to daoconf@gmail.com:

Name

Institution

City, Country

Email

Phone

Paper title

Abstract

Payment: US $150 payable at registration (refundable at 50% until March 1, 2011)

Go to www.paypal.com and send to daoconf@gmail.com

Or make check out to “ADC” and send to P.O. Box 609, Dunedin, FL 34697

Note: You will not be put into the program until registration is complete and fee paid.

Foreign participants are limited to 60, so apply early.

Deadlines: March 1, 2011:  fee goes up to US $200.00

May 15, 2011:   abstracts for papers due

May 31, 2010:   schedule and abstracts e-mailed and posted

Scholarships: 10 scholarships will be provided from the proceeds of this and last year’s conference. A scholarship includes a fee waiver plus US $400 toward travel expenses. Applicants should be young scholars who are within three years of completing the Ph.D. (before or after).

To apply, please send registration information, plus status of Ph.D. and name of advisor, as well as draft abstract of paper to daoconf@gmail.com.