Finding out about “Avalokitesvara and Goddess Worship in Asia” through international conference

The worship of Quan Am and the goddess is a popular belief in many countries and territories in Asia such as Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Japan, India... These beliefs contribute to expressing the sharing of beliefs, religions, customs, and practices... of many countries and territories in the region, and at the same time also show the unique characteristics of each country.

Research on the worship of Quan Am and the goddess is a topic that attracts the attention of many Vietnamese scholars, many scholars in the region as well as scholars from countries around the world.

Conference scene

The workshop was organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-Hanoi) in collaboration with National Cheng Kung University and Kinmen University (Taiwan, China), including 3 working sessions, divided into many sub-committees with the languages ​​used being Vietnamese and Chinese. The workshop focused on studying the worship of Quan Am and the goddess in the Asian region from specialized and interdisciplinary perspectives: literature, history, cultural studies, religious studies, regional studies, etc. The presentations focused on the main topics, which are: Legends about Quan Am and the goddess in the Asian region; History of Quan Am and the goddess worship in the Asian region; Relics associated with Quan Am and the goddess worship in Asia; Practice of Quan Am and the goddess worship in countries and territories in the Asian region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim (Party Secretary, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) said: "We believe that scientific and academic exchange activities such as this conference are truly a valuable opportunity for domestic and international lecturers and researchers to share knowledge and publish new research results and achievements.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim delivered the opening speech of the conference.

Although it is a relatively specialized and difficult scientific topic, it is an extremely lively and interesting field in the social and cultural life in Asia. The discussions have partly clarified the easily recognizable similarities in the beliefs of Quan Am and the goddess in Asian countries and territories, providing scientific arguments and information that are close to reality and profound in ideology, philosophy, and human values. The similar cultural foundation will connect friendship for ethnic nations and territories.

Prof. Lam Tong Nhat (Vice President of National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan, China)) shared: "I found this conference to be very meaningful and rich. The most central spirit of this belief is compassion, one of the most important connotations of compassion is overcoming one's own limits and sharing empathy...".

Prof. Lam Tong Nhat delivered the opening speech at the conference.

Some pictures at the subcommittee's working sessions

The workshop consisted of 3 working sessions, divided into 7 sub-committees, using Vietnamese and Chinese, focusing on studying the worship of Quan Am and the goddess in the Asian region from specialized and interdisciplinary perspectives: literature, history, cultural studies, religious studies, regional studies...

The presentations focused on the main topics: Legends about Quan Am and the goddess in the Asian region; History of Quan Am and the goddess worship in the Asian region; Monuments associated with Quan Am and the goddess worship in Asia; Practice of Quan Am and the goddess worship in countries and territories in the Asian region.

Delegates attending the conference took a souvenir photo

Group photo of delegates, organizers and volunteers at the closing ceremony

Field tour at But Thap Pagoda

At the end of the conference, papers with good scientific quality will be selected and edited by the Organizing Committee to be published in a proceedings with an ISBN index at a reputable publisher in Vietnam and Taiwan (China) in 2020.

In addition to 3 working sessions at the Conference Hall, the conference also organized a folk culture field research tour at But Thap Pagoda (Bac Ninh) on the afternoon of September 6 and a number of other cultural experience activities.

The conference was organized by the Faculty of Literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU Hanoi) in collaboration with National Cheng Kung University, Kinmen University (Taiwan, China), with careful preparation and great success, receiving many quality presentations on the main topics, namely: the worship of Guanyin and goddesses in the Asian region, contributing to strengthening the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Taiwan, opening up international cooperation in academia.