UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
2024
MARCH
Introducing Asia through Buddhism
Online lecture with Professor Cuong Mai
Wednesday, March 20, 7 PM – 8 PM
&
Visit to Vien Quang monastery in Clover, SC
Sunday, March 24, Time TBD
Online lecture, 3/20 at 7 PM
This online lecture will introduce participants to the history of Buddhism in Asia, different types of Buddhism and some core tenants, and ways that everyday lay practices reflect Buddhist ideas. Dr. Cuong Mai teaches in the Department of Philosophy and Religion and Appalachian State University and specializes in the religions of Asia, particularly the history of Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhism. His research focuses on the emergence of mortuary practices and paradise beliefs surrounding the Buddha figures Amitabha and Maitreya in early medieval China.
Participants will receive one hour of professional development credit for attending the lecture.
To attend the lecture, please REGISTER HERE.
Monastery visit, 3/24
Vien Quang monastery is located in Clover, SC, about a 50 minute drive from Charlotte, NC. Opened in 2012, Vien Quang is a Buddhist monastery and temple that sit on 22 acres surrounded by gardens and statues. The visit will include a tour of the facilities, a vegetarian lunch, an opportunity to watch visiting monks create a mandala, and plenty of time for questions. For K-12 educators from North and South Carolina, NCTAN will provide mileage reimbursements as well as one night’s hotel stay for those needing to travel more than 100 miles to the monastery.
A note about attire: The monastery requires that shoulders and ankles be covered, so please wear pants or a floor-length skirt. Short sleeve shirts are fine. As we will be touring the grounds, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Participants will receive four hours of professional development credit.
Registration for this event closed on Friday, February 23. You may still be able to attend, but we cannot provide lodging to any new registrants. To attend without hotel accommodations, please email becky.butler@unc.edu.