The Phaung Daw Oo Buddhas: Transformation Through Touch Worship

The Phaung Daw Oo Buddhas: Transformation Through Touch Worship

Wednesday, 15 January 2024 | 09:00 to 11:00 EDT | Room 857, Eighth Floor, Kaneff Tower, Kaneff Tower, Keele Campus, York University & virtually via Zoom

With Gillian Graham

Respondent: Juliane Schober

Central to the political, historical, mythic and religious identity of Inle Lake in Shan State are five Buddha statues called the Phaung Daw U paya whose unique globular forms are the result of decades of devotional gilding. Within the frames of Buddhist art history and practice, the essay considers their relationship to aniconism and to beliefs surrounding the interment of relics. As well, it charts their role as palladia or protectors of the lake community through a century of conquest and rupture.

Virtual attendees can register at this link.

This event is part of the Burma Past and Present: Religion, Ethnicity and Power, a series of readings and discussion of works in progress. We will be reading and discussing work in progress with the author. Please email hmlwin@yorku.ca to receive a copy of the reading.