Upcoming Events

Apr
03
Apr
10

Eclectic Geographies of Tamil Music

On April 10, 2025 at 12:00 am
Apr
21

Memorial for Marriott McKim

On April 21, 2025 at 12:00 am
Apr
25
May
08

South Asia Seminar: Title TBA

On May 8, 2025 at 5:00 pm
May
09

Memorial for Norman Zide

On May 9, 2025 at 12:00 pm
May
21
May
22
May
23

2025 Chicago Tamil Forum: Tamil Horizons and Borders

From May 23, 2025 9:00 am to May 24, 2025 4:00 pm
May
29

Conference in Honor of Muzaffar Alam

From May 29, 2025 9:00 am to May 30, 2025 7:00 pm

Member Achievement: Matthew Kapstein, COSAS member and Numata Visiting Professor of Buddhist Studies

Professor Matthew Kapstein wins the 2024 Toshihide Numata Book Award in Buddhism for his edited book, Tibetan Manuscripts and Early Printed Books, Vol. 1: Elements (Cornell University Press, 2024)! The announcement was made last week by the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

Elements is a capstone for Kapstein and his fellow international specialists, who provide a thorough introduction to the book making process for a wide range of Tibetan texts. It examines the material and aesthetic components of these works and presents findings alongside an impressive gallery of color images. Kapstein and his colleagues delve into the history of paper and ink manufacturing, the creation of templates and formats, script styles, embellishments, and the modernization of printing. The volume also explores book preservation practices, including digital technologies that are used today to repair and archive traditional works.

Professor Kapstein will be presented with the Toshihide Numata Book Award at a ceremony on Friday, November 1, 2024 (University of California, Berkeley, Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall, 2 p.m. PST). He will deliver a keynote lecture, followed by presentations from specialists in the field.

Congratulations, Professor Kapstein!