We are excited to announce the 2025 Woodenfish-Waksaw Seminar on the Buddhist Heritage of Gandhāra, set to take place in Pakistan in January 2025. We warmly and mainly invite Professors, scholars and students from the related fields around the world to join us on this immersive journey into the rich history and culture of ancient Gandhāra. Over ten days, participants will explore iconic sites, engage in hands-on excavation experiences, and gain insights from lectures delivered by experts in the field from both Pakistan and the West.

 

Beyond the academic program, the participants will also experience the vibrant local culture through the events, such as traditional dance parties and bonfire parties. This program offers more than just a learning experience—it's an opportunity to connect with like-minded scholars globally and embark on a journey into the heart of civilization.

 

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Date: Jan 9, 2025 – Jan 18, 2025

Venue: Pakistan

Participants: 30 scholars and graduate students from relevant fields.

Deadline for application: Oct 31, 2024

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Cost and Sponsorship 

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Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Woodenfish, Waksaw, and local institutions, the cost of participation—including room, board, tuition, domestic transportation, and safety arrangements—are fully covered for all accepted participants, allowing them to focus entirely on the experience.

Participants are only responsible for visa and travel expenses to and from (and within) Pakistan. While the seminar is fully funded through the Woodenfish + Waksaw Fellowship, a refundable deposit of $200 USD is required upon acceptance into the program. This deposit will be reimbursed in full after the successful completion of the program. However, if a participant leaves the program early, the deposit will not be refunded.

*There is a non-refundable application fee of $10.70 USD.*

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Invited Scholars

(in alphabetical order)

 

Scholars Invited from the West:

1. Dr. Stefan Baums, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany

2. Dr. Pia Brancaccio, Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale”, Italy/ Drexel University, USA

3. Dr. Elisa Iori, Italian Archaeological Mission to Pakistan/ Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Italy

 

Scholars Invited from Pakistan:

1. Dr. Sadeed Arif, Quaid-i-Azam University

2. Dr. Mueezuddin Hakal, Quaid-i-Azam University

3. Dr. Ashraf Khan, University of Peshawar

4. Dr. Ghani-ur-Rahman, Quaid-i-Azam University

5. Dr. Abdul Samad, Director of Archaeology and Museum, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

6. Dr. Arshad Ullah, Director of Federal Archaeology Islamabad

 

Participants

We invite professors, scholars and graduate students (Master’s and PhD) who specialize in Buddhist Studies or related subjects to apply, particularly those with a focus on the Gandhāra region and/or its communication with neighboring regions. We especially welcome candidates with expertise in history, textual studies, art history, and archaeology. Undergraduate students will be considered if their studies are relevant.

 

Itinerary

Day 1 (1.9): Lecture

Starting time: 9:30 am

Morning: Inaugural Session 

(Conference Hall of the Quaid-i-Azam University; MC: Yunyao Zhai)

1. Welcome and introduction of the Taxila Institute by Dr.Ghani-ur-Rahman (7-8 minutes)

2. Welcome Speech: Ven. Yifa (20 mins)

3. Lecture by Dr. Abdul Samad (45 mins)

4. Welcome Speech by the Vice Chancellor of the Quaid-i-Azem University 

Lunch Break

Afternoon session

Lecture 1 (45mins) Ashraf Khan

Lecture 2 (45mins) Sadeed Arif

Break (15 mins)

Lecture 3 (45min) Mueezuddin Hakal

Lecture 4 (45min) Arshad Ullah

 

Day 2 (1.10): Lecture  

*The lecture schedule is tentative as we are still letting our lecturers finalize their winter plans; the finalized schedule will be circulated in December

Starting time: 9:30 am

Morning session

Lecture 1 (1.5 hours, with mini-break): Stefan Baums 

Break

Lecture 1 (1.5 hours, with mini-break): Elisa Iori

Lunch break

Afternoon session

Lecture 3 (1.5 hours, with mini-break): Stefan Baums

Excursions

1. Islamabad Museum (guided by Arshad Ullah)

2. Traditional cultural event at the BNCA (tentative, await confirmation)

 

 

Day 3 (1.11): Field Trip

Departure: 8:00 am 

1. Taxila Museum

2. All archaeological sites

 

 

Day 4 (1.12): Field Trips: hands-on excavation

Departure: 9:00 am 

1. Hands-on archaeological excavation practice near Taxila or Islamabad 

2. Mankyala Stupa 

 

 

Day 5 (1.13): Field Trip

Departure: 6:30 am

1. Shahabazgarhi Inscription (i.e., the Ashoka Inscription)

2. Peshawar Museum

3. Mardan Museum (if it is open to the public)

4. Takht-i-Bahi Monastery

5. Shingardar Stūpa and Ghaligay Buddha carving (only if it is not dark outside; if it is, we will visit them on the way back to Islamabad)

(Day 5: stay in Swat)

 

Day 6 (1.14): Lecture

Morning Session

- No compulsory activities for those who want to rest.

- Optional activity offered

Lunch

Afternoon Session

Lecture 1(1.5 hours, with mini-break): Elisa Iori

Lecture 1 (1.5 hours, with mini-break): Stefan Baums

Break, travel to the Italian Mission at Saidu Sharif

Lecture 3 (special class on Gāndhārī): Elisa Iori

Evening

Bonfire Party for everyone! Bonfire, food, music, and dance!

 

 

Day 7 (1.15): Sites in the City

Departure: 8:00 am 

1. The Jahanabad Buddha (three sites)

2. Butkara Site I and III (on-site lecture and guided by Elisa Iori)

3. Saidu Sharif Stupa 

 

Day 8 (1.16): Lecture

Starting time: 9:30 am

Morning session

Lecture 1 (1.5 hours, with mini-break): Stefan Baums

Break

Lecture 2 (1.5 hours, with mini-break): Elisa Iori

Lunch break

Afternoon session 

Lecture 3 (1.5 hours, with mini-break): Stefan Baums

Lecture 4 (1 hour): Ghani-ur Rahman: New Insights on the Buddhist Heritage of Gandhāra 

                                 at the Palace Museum in Beijing. 

Excursion 

Swat Museum (lecture and guided by Nawaz Uddin) 

 

Day 9 (1.17): Field Trip

Departure: 8:00 am 

1. Barikot (lecture and guided by Elisa Iori )

2. Amlukdara Stupa 

3. Abbasahib Cheena Monastery complex (guided by Mr. Saqib)

4. Mt. Ilam, i.e., the sacred mountain in the region (in passing)

Evening

• Farewell dinner

 

 

Day 10 (1.18): Field Trip and Return to Islamabad

Departure: 8:00 am 

1. Udigram (climbing required) 

2. Travel back to Islamabad (arrive around 5 pm)

 

Miscellaneous

1. Perks of the Winter School 

• Dance/cultural event at the BNCA, Islamabad

• Hands-on archaeological excavation experience 

• Bonfire dinner party at the Swat Valley

 

Remarks:

1. WAKSAW will help those selected participants who need the invitation letter to get visa.  

2. Check-in to the arranged hotel in Islamabad: Jan 8, 2025.

3. It is crucial for students traveling from Europe and America to manage jet lag effectively. If you typically need more time to adjust, we strongly recommend arriving 2-3 days before the program starts in Islamabad. This early arrival will give you the necessary time to acclimate and be fully prepared for our physically and intellectually demanding program. You can find budget accommodation on Airbnb for $10 to $40 a night.