The Bristol Buddhist Studies Group serves as a vibrant centre for innovative research, encompassing a wide range of topics within Buddhist traditions, with a particular emphasis on Buddhist thought, ritual, and material culture. Our collective efforts investigate Buddhist practices across South, Southeast, and East Asia, alongside the rich narrative traditions and textual sources that inform these practices.
One of our key areas of expertise is the study of Buddhist psychology, and Buddhist practices’ relation to mental and physical well-being. Our members have contributed to an enhanced understanding of the doctrinal foundations of Buddhist psychology and ethics, examining how these concepts are expressed through mindfulness practices and their philosophical implications. Additionally, our focus in the intersections of Buddhism, healing rituals, and medicine, address the complex relationship between religion and well-being. The group’s work in these domains highlights the increasing interdisciplinary interest in how Buddhist meditation and medicine are studied and practiced in both premodern and contemporary contexts, incorporating insights from psychology, cognitive science, and medical humanities.
Another key area of expertise involves the analysis of monastic codes (vinaya) and ritual practices. Research in these areas includes in-depth explorations of funerary and everyday rituals, emphasising how these practices are influenced by local cultural contexts, particularly in India and Sri Lanka. Our projects have drawn attention to the ways in which ritual objects and spaces, as well as performances such as sermons and truth acts, embody religious beliefs and shape community life. A recent project focuses on Buddhism and food, and investigates the significance of culinary practices within Buddhist rituals and their cultural implications.
Finally, the study of Buddhist narrative traditions constitutes a further strength of our research, focusing on how Buddhist teachings, ethics and philosophical ideas have been conveyed through stories and art. Our work explores the visual representation of narratives in Buddhist art, particularly in the transmission of monastic discipline and moral teachings. Such research deepens our understanding of the interplay between text, art, and ritual in the development of Buddhist communities.
Our research initiatives are supported by various grants that promote the study of Asian religious traditions. Funded projects enable investigations into topics such as the ritualisation of Buddhist spaces, beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife, and the gender dynamics of religious practices. These initiatives have resulted in the publication of influential monographs and journal articles that are widely regarded as foundational in the field.
