ASIAN
SPIRITS
IN CULTURE

Modern society is becoming more interdependent across countries and cultures than ever before. We face global challenges like environmental problems and widening disparities. In these times, dialogue and cooperation among people of different backgrounds are crucial. This forum will bring together scholars, researchers, artists, and practitioners from various cultural provenances reflecting on diverse topics.This academic forum represents an important effort to facilitate such exchange.

The Masuda Educational Foundation, the organizer of this forum, was established in 1985 with the principle of " fostering young people who can look at events from a global perspective, have their own ideas, and put them into action," and has long contributed to support for students in the Asian region. Based on this philosophy, this forum aims to reevaluate the significance of Asian spirituality and to raise a new perspective on the challenges facing the world.

The idea for the forum originated from the "Eranos Conference" held in Switzerland in the mid-20th century. The late Toshihiko Izutsu, a Japanese Islamic scholar who participated in the conference, sought to bring Eastern philosophy to the attention of Western society and to create a new fusion of Eastern and Western thought. Inspired by his achievements, we would like to create a space to explore how Asian spirituality can be utilized in this era.

Malaysia, the host country for this forum, is a multicultural society where various Eastern philosophies intersect. We thought it highly significant to send a new message from this place. Asian wisdom has nurtured a unique worldview of symbiosis with nature, intuition, and overall balance. We believe that the long-standing emphasis that has taken root in this region can be an effective approach to a world that is biased toward the West.

Achieving "fusion" on a global scale remains challenging. However, respectful exchange between societies, religious beliefs, and cultures, represents an important step. We hope this forum provides space for constructive dialogue and encourages practical action. May the fresh insights gleaned contribute to global harmony of the 21 century.


Nov. 2023,
Masuda Educational Foundation
Organization & Scientific board