Events

A joint symposium by Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, and Toyo Bunko, Japan.

Donating one’s property to others is a universal act of human beings preparing for death, and is found in almost all societies from ancient times to the present. What is the purpose of donation and what kind of benefit did a donor expect? How was the donation justified by its donor among the family and kinship members who stood to inherit the property, and how was it institutionalized within the society? Who controlled the donated properties and how were they managed to make a profit? How did the system change and what caused it? What are features of donation and endowment in a society?

The Toyo Bunko (Oriental Library in Tokyo) has conducted a comparative study of the waqf and similar donations since 2012 in cooperation with other institutions (Aix-Marseille University and Humboldt University in Berlin etc.). This time, Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore and the Toyo Bunko are cooperating to hold a joint symposium for cross-cultural comparison of donation in Singapore, a crossing point of religions and cultures.

The symposium comprises four sessions: Christian, Chinese and Japanese, Hindu and Southeast Asian, and Islamic.

Each presenter will discuss donation and endowment for familial and/or religious purposes in one society from the above-mentioned viewpoints, analysing concrete cases of donation. Cross-cultural comparison allows us to find commonalities and differences within donation, and more fundamental reasons or conditions for an act of donation and its development in each society.

SYMPOSIUM CONVENORS

Prof Kenneth DEAN
Asia Research Institute, and Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore

Prof Toru MIURA
Ochanomizu University, and Toyo Bunko, Japan

REGISTRATION

Registration is closed for this event, and seats for walk-ins are subjected to availability. If you have registered successfully, please take your seat between 9.40 – 9.50am. After 9.50am, vacant seats will be made available for walk-ins. You may refer to the confirmation email for more information.