"The long-standing influence of Indian culture and Hindu spiritual thought
on modern Western civilization has been both myriad and of great significance.
Beginning as early as Emerson's open acknowledgment of the Bhagavad Gita's
deep influence on his thought in the Nineteenth Century, and continuing to the
current keen interest in Indian culture today, America and the West continue
to be deeply influenced by Indian and Hindu culture.
Currently, there are 15 million Americans practicing the Hindu spiritual
discipline of Yoga.
An even larger number practice a wide variety of Hindu and Buddhist
inspired forms of meditation. Serene images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are
found today gracing tee-shirts, bags and popular artwork in American
apartments.
Such Sanskrit terms as "mantra," "pundit" and "guru" have entered
mainstream American language.
In this symposium, we will explore the history, dynamics, meaning, impact
and future implications of Indian cultural and spiritual influence on American
cultural development. We invite scholars to submit presentation proposals
examining this inter-cultural phenomenon from a variety of perspectives:
historical, philosophical, religious, literary, social, etc.
Only serious academic presentations dealing directly with the subject
matter outlined above will be considered for this symposium. Abstracts of
papers (in about 200 words each), containing title of the paper, and name,
address, phone, and e-mail of the author, may be submitted to the moderator
Dr. Frank Morales by
e-mail by May 31, 2004.
The symposium will be held at the University of Maryland, July 9 to 11,
2004."
