3 - 4 pm (CET)

Venue:

Einstein Center Chronoi

Otto-von-Simson-Straße 7, 14195 Berlin

Prof. Dr. D. Max Moerman

The introduction and popularization of European science in 17th century Japan presented significant challenges to the worldview of Japanese Buddhists.  Japanese monks refuting European scientific theories about the physical nature of the cosmos turned to ancient Indian models to argue for Japan’s place in a Buddhist universe. Throughout the 18th and 19th century, new kinds of cosmological diagrams, scientific illustrations, and technical instruments were constructed to demonstrate the operations of a Buddhist universe. This presentation will analyze the arguments, images, models, and mechanisms produced by the Japanese Buddhists who attempted to prove the superiority of traditional Buddhist thought over European science until the end of the 19th century.

Participants can join the online Chronoi Talk by clicking on the following link:

https://fu-berlin.webex.com/fu-berlin-en/j.php?MTID=m60bd14923724d059ae5ba2281dfb79f6

The conference room can be accessed using the following methods:

• Joining directly in your browser; simply click the link above, and look for a button with this option near the bottom of the webpage.

• Downloading the program to your computer (instructions can be found by following the meeting link)

• Using the smartphone app called "Cisco Webex Meetings."

You are welcome to enter the online conference room up to 15 minutes in advance of the start time.