European Network of Buddhist Christian Studies (ENBCS) with the University of Hamburg’s “Academy of World Religions” and “Mission Academy”
2.−6. July 2026, St. Ansgarhaus Hamburg
The topic of this conference is a sequel to the last one. After 2024’s “Buddhist Christian Dialogues on the Body”, the 2026 conference will present different aspects of the mind from Buddhist and Christian perspectives. Traditional conceptions of the mind, its possible transformation, its relation to ultimate reality and its role in conceptions of life after death will be discussed against the background of contemporary perspectives from neuroscience.
In addition to the invited papers there will be two sessions (with parallel groups) on Sunday morning for short presentations (20 mins) on any kind of topic related to Buddhist-Christian studies. This is an opportunity especially for upcoming scholars (but also more senior scholars) to report about their research projects. Proposals for the open presentations need to approved by the Network (please send them to Prof. Schmidt-Leukel: perrysl@uni-muenster.de).
On Friday, 3 July, the programme will include a cultural component exclusive to conference participants: a guided harbour tour through the Port of Hamburg in the afternoon. This provides time for informal exchange and networking in a relaxed setting. In the evening, the conference opens to the public with a celebratory event at the University of Hamburg marking the Network’s thirtieth anniversary, featuring presentations. In the evening, the conference opens to the public with a celebratory event at the University of Hamburg marking the Network’s thirtieth anniversary, featuring two presentations by Elizabeth Harris and Perry Schmidt-Leukel.
For registration click here
PROGRAM
Thu, 2 July
19.45 – 20.00: Opening of the Conference (Perry Schmidt-Leukel, University of Muenster)
20.00 – 21.00: (I) Mind and Matter: Insights and Challenges from Neuroscience (Brigitte Falkenburg, TU Dortmund University)
Fri, 3 July
Morning (Moderator: Andreas Nehring)
9.00 – 10.30: (II) Understandings of Mind (1): Buddhist Perspectives (Christopher Jones, University of Vienna)
11.00 – 12.30: (III) Understandings of Mind (2): Christian Perspectives (Fabian Völker, University of Vienna)
Afternoon
14.00 – 18.00: Tour (with Hamburg harbour)
Night (Moderator: Carola Roloff)
18.15 – 21.30: Celebrating 30 Years of Buddhist-Christian Studies Venue: University of Hamburg; public event with reception Elizabeth Harris (University of Birmingham): Thirty Years of ENBCS; Perry Schmidt-Leukel (University of Muenster): Why Buddhist-Christian Studies?
Sat, 4 July
Morning (Moderator: Peter Tyler)
09.00 – 10.30: (IV) Transforming Mind (1): Buddhist Perspectives (Stephen E. Harris, University of Leiden)
11.00 – 12.30: (V) Transforming Mind (2): Christian Perspectives (Thomas Cattoi, Gregoriana Rome)
Afternoon (Moderator: Raquel Bousso)
15.00 – 16.30: (VI) Mind and Ultimate Reality (1): Buddhist Perspectives (Douglas Duckworth, Temple University Philadelphia)
17.00 – 18.30: (VII) Mind and Ultimate Reality (2): Christian Perspectives (Louise Nelstrop, University of Oxford)
Sun, 5 July
Morning
09.00 – 10.30: OPEN PRESENTATIONS I (Moderators: John O’Gradey, Kurt Krammer)
11.00 – 12.30: OPEN PRESENTATIONS II (Moderators: Sybille Fritsch-Oppermann, Jude Lal Fernando)
Afternoon (Moderator: Anissa Strommer)
15.00 – 16.30: (VIII) Mind and Continuity After Death (1): Buddhist Perspectives (Carl B. Becker, Kyoto University)
17.00 – 18.30: (IX) Mind and Continuity After Death (2): Christian Perspectives (Mathias Schneider, University of Muenster)
20:00: Conclusion of the Conference (Martin Rötting)
Mo, 6. July
Departure after breakfast
Speakers
Brigitte Falkenburg is a philosopher and physicist. She is Professor of Theoretical Physics (retired) at the Technical University of Dortmund and specialises in philosophical issues of science and technics.
Christopher V. Jones is Assistant Professor in Buddhist Studies at the University of Vienna. His research is in classical Buddhist literature with a focus on the Indian Buddha-nature tradition.
Fabian Völker is Research Assistant (post doc) at the University of Vienna with a focus on intercultural philosophy of religion.
Elizabeth J. Harris in Honorary Fellow at the University of Birmingham and retired Professor in Religious Studies of Hope University (Liverpool). Her research focusses on Theravāda Buddhism and Buddhist-Christian relations.
Perry Schmidt-Leukel is Senior Professor of Intercultural Theology and Religious Studies (retired) at the University of Münster focussing on Buddhist Studies and Interfaith-Studies.
Stephen E. Harris is a Lecturer Indian and Comparative Philosophy at the University of Leiden with a focus on Buddhist moral philosophy and its relationship to issues investigated in contemporary philosophy.
Thomas Cattoi is Professor of Early Christian Theology and Inter-Religious Dialogue at Angelicum - Pontificia Università San Tommaso d'Aquino in Rome focussing particularly on the relation between Eastern Christianity and Buddhism.
Douglas Duckworth is Professor of Religion at Temple University (Philadelphia). His research focusses on Buddhist, especially Tibetan, philosophy of the mind.
Louise Nelstrop is Director of Studies at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology and Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford with a focus on mystical theology
Carl B. Becker is Professor at Kyoto University with a research focus on the medical ethics issues in contemporary Japan. He is also specialised in Buddhist concepts of death and afterlife.
Mathias Schneider is Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Center for Religion and Modernity (University of Münster). His research focus is on Buddhist interpretations of Jesus and eschatology in comparative perspective.
Costs
Regular Single: 330,00€
Students Single: 250,00€
Regular Double: 300,00€ per person
The rates include accommodation and all meals but not the cultural tour
Registration deadline: 26th April 2026 (due to the conditions of the venue the deadline cannot be extended)
Day Guest (rates includes coffee and cold drinks but no accommodation and meals)
Thu, 2 July: 15,00 (evening), students 10,00
Fri, 3 July: 15,00 (morning), students 10,00
Sat, 4 July: 30,00 (all day), students 20,00
Sun, 5 July: 30,00 (all day), students 20,00
Cultural Tour (Friday, 3 July 2026)
On Friday afternoon, conference participants are invited to join a cultural highlight of the ENBCS 2026 programme: a one-hour harbour cruise through the Port of Hamburg, including – if water levels allow – the historic Speicherstadt district. An English-speaking guide will accompany the tour.
The total cost (incl. bus transfer and guide): €60.00 per person / €40 (students).
Separate registration required by 26 April 2026.