“Bhaktivedanta Swami in a Historical and Philosophical Context” is a one-day workshop to be held on September 6, 2023, at the prestigious Stockholm University (S.U.). Located in the vibrant Swedish capital, S.U. is a renowned public research university recognized for its academic excellence and diverse disciplines. 

The workshop is part of a collaborative effort of Stockholm University’s Department of Ethnology, History of Religions and Gender Studies, Utah State University’s Department of History, The Center for Dharma Studies, GTU, Berkeley, and the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre. Participants will include invited scholars, Ph.D. candidates, and students from across the globe.

Radhika Ramana Das (Dr. Ravi Gupta), one of the scholars who will be participating in the workshop, said, “Srila Prabhupada’s contribution to the development of Gaudiya Vaisnavism as a global movement is unprecedented, and this conference provides a rare opportunity to examine that contribution from a scholarly, historical perspective,” He continued, “I hope that the papers delivered at the conference will create a foundation for the ongoing, academic study of Srila Prabhupada’s life and work. Both Dr. Sardella and Stockholm University are to be commended for facilitating these important conversations.” Dr. Gupta holds the Charles Redd Chair of Religious Studies and serves as Professor and Department Head of the Department of History at Utah State University.

Key Speakers- Dr. Ravi M. Gupta, Dr. Santanu Dey, and Dr. Mans Broo

Radhika echoes the organizer’s hopes that the workshop will enrich the field of religious studies while also increasing networking and future research collaboration about Gaudiya Vaishnavism, a philosophy common in India but less known in the West.  Additional speakers at the historic conference include Dr. Graham Schweig, GTU Berkley, and Willy Pfändtner, of Stockholm University.

The event is funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (R.J.) for Research Initiation 2023. R.J. is a Swedish foundation that funds research projects within the humanities and social sciences. Its primary objective is to promote and support research in various fields, advancing knowledge and understanding in Sweden.

Its unique comparative approach enables research into significant contemporary issues, including globalization, cultural migration, and integration, and how religious texts are interpreted in diverse cultural, social, and political milieus. 

This sort of comparative historical and sociological analysis will contribute to a deeper understanding of forms of modern Hinduism in terms of global development.

For additional details, speakers, topics, and registration, visit the link here.