Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Neusprachliche Südasienstudien
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Lecture by Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud: "One Thousand Year Old Bengali Buddhist Mystic Poetry"
Date: Tuesday, 19.10.2010
Location: South Asia Institute, Room 316
Time: 4 pm

Spirituality has been a common component of Bengali culture. The earliest Bengali poetry Caryagiti written more than a thousand years ago is best described as spiritual poetry using mystical language and imagery. These were composed by Buddhist Siddhas who used poetry to teach and contain secretive Buddhist mystical doctrines. Although they dealt primarily with metaphysical problems of Tantric Buddhism, through these poems we get a vivid picture of life of the common people and a beautiful description of riverine Bangladesh.

The poems are a part of the cultural and religious heritage of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and China. Although these song poems are still ritually sung and danced to in Nepal and Bhutan very little is known about them. They deserve to be known outside the region.

All are cordially invited!
Posted on 13 Oct 2010
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