Inaugural Lecture: Professor Naomi Appleton

What are Stories For? Answers from the Buddha and Beyond

Why do stories feature so prominently in religious traditions across history? This lecture explores some of the functions and benefits of narrative literature in ancient Indian religions, especially Buddhism but also Hinduism and Jainism. It shows how stories can help not only to communicate ideas and ideals, but also to create, explore and challenge them. Stories are also used to establish identities and boundaries between religious groups, and to transform audiences through potent imaginative encounters with sacred places or people.

This lecture will be followed by a reception.

Host or Publisher School of Divinity, The University of Edinburgh