Zhen Xiaojun, dean of the Institute for World Religious Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivers a lecture to faculty and students from the Institute for Development at Yunnan University (YNU) on May 26. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Zhen Xiaojun, dean of the Institute for World Religious Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered a lecture to faculty and students at the Institute for Development at Yunnan University (YNU) on May 26.

Zhen is a well-known expert in Southeast Asian religions and Southern Buddhism, which refers to Buddhism as practiced in Sri Lanka and countries in mainland Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

In her lecture, Zhen shared her thoughts on Southern Buddhism in China, discussing historical traditions, training, and management of the religion. 

The lecture was sponsored by YNU’s Institute for Development and the Research Center for Pattra-Leaf Culture, and held by the Yunnan Society of Religions and the Yunnan Buddhism Association.

Huang Yi, vice-chairman of the Yunnan Provincial Political Consultative Conference, Xiao Jihong, president of the Yunnan Society of Religions, Kang Nanshan, vice-president of the Yunnan Buddhism Association, and Zhang Yong, former deputy curator of the Yunnan Institute of Culture and History, were present at the event. 

YNU’s Research Center for Pattra-Leaf Culture is an academic institute co-established by YNU and the government of Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture focusing on the study of social governance in areas where Southern Buddhism and pattra-leaf culture are present.

The Research Center for Pattra-Leaf Culture at YNU has held a variety of international activities in recent years to promote YNU’s research in Southern Buddhism and pattra-leaf culture.

Attendees of the lecture pose for a photo. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]