"We research. For you." III: From Taishan to Wutaishan: How Buddhism found its way to China's sacred mountains
In the lecture series "We research. For you.", scientists from the eight state academies of sciences have their say and provide insights into their research work.
In the 7th century AD, the center of the Buddhist world shifted from ancient India to China. The Wutaishan mountain, over 3,000 meters high in the north of Shanxi province, became the most popular destination for pilgrims seeking manifestations or visions of the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. Wutaishan is considered the most important of China's Buddhist mountains. The lecture explains the roots of the cult of Mañjuśrī, the bodhisattva of the perfection of wisdom (Skt. prājñāpāramitā). Its roots lie in a network of writings on the perfection of wisdom carved in stone, which was laid across the hilly landscape of Shandong province in the 6th century. The largest of these is located in the Sutra Stone Valley on Mount Taishan in Shandong Province. There, the carved Diamond Sutra has asserted itself on the mountain that, to this day, embodies China's national identity like no other.
About the Author: Since completing her Ph.D. in East Asian Art History at Heidelberg University, Dr. Claudia Wenzel has been conducting research as part of the “Buddhist Stone Inscriptions in China” project at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. She served as editor of the volumes *Shandong Province 2* and *Sichuan Province 3*, which were published in the series *Buddhist Stone Sutras in China* (ed. Lothar Ledderose). She has also published in academic journals. During the winter and summer semesters of 2021–22, she served as a visiting professor at the University of Bonn in the Department of Asian and Islamic Art History.
About the lecture series: For over 20 years now, this public lecture series has been taking place, featuring presentations by scholars from the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities well Academy of Sciences and Humanities from its seven sister academies. The lectures are aimed at a broad audience and are designed to provide insights into the research being conducted. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to chat with the scholars over pretzels and wine in the Academy’s courtyard garden.
The series is held in cooperation with vhs Heidelberg.
Date: July 16 , 2025
Location: Lecture Hall of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Karlstr. 4, 69117 Heidelberg
Start: 6:15 p.m.
Lecture: Dr. Claudia Wenzel (Heidelberg)
PROGRAM 2025(PDF)
