Asia-Pacific Culture Kaleidoscope - Session 5 - Dharma-Seeking Monks, Ocean, and Empire: Buddhist Cultural Exchanges and the Construction of Buddhist Kingship in the Eighth and Ninth Centuries

The Center for Asia-Pacific Area Studies has prepared five presentations that will dive into the complexities of cultural exchange. The presentations will be approximately 15-20 minutes long, accompanied by stories and explanations of each image. A short and easy quiz with 5-8 questions (depending on the available remaining time) will follow. Winners will be rewarded with a special gift designed for this event.

Session 5, 15:00~15:30  Chih-Hung Li：”Dharma-Seeking Monks, Ocean, and Empire: Buddhist Cultural Exchanges and the Construction of Buddhist Kingship in the Eighth and Ninth Centuries”
In this presentation, I will examine  culture exchanges across the seas of Asia. I will focus on the Japanese monk Kukai to discuss how he interpreted the idea of Buddhist Kingship and built up a Buddhist sacred space in the Japanese capital of Kyoto.