How and why do Buddhists move across borders, and what does it take to establish transnational Buddhist networks? Since its emergence in 5th century BCE India, Buddhism has been a highly mobile and adaptable tradition, actively shaping and being shaped by cross-cultural exchanges. From ancient pilgrimage routes and monastic networks to modern diasporic communities and digital Buddhist spaces, the movement of people, texts, objects, languages, and ideas has played a crucial role in Buddhism's evolution.

This course explores Buddhism's transnational dimensions from philosophical, anthropological, and historical perspectives, examining how Buddhist traditions have been transmitted, adapted, and redefined across time and space. We will analyze transnational Buddhist movements at both the micro-level (e.g., individual agents, families, sects, linguistic adaptations) and the macro-level (e.g., imperial patronage, trade networks, migration, and globalized Buddhist institutions).

Topics include premodern Buddhist exchanges such as the Silk Road transmission of Buddhist texts, missionary activities of monks like Xuanzang, the role of translation in shaping Buddhist thought, and the movement of Buddhist relics and icons.

We will also explore modern and contemporary Buddhist transnationalism, including the spread of engaged Buddhism, transnational Buddhist activism, monastic and lay migration, and the influence of digital media on Buddhist communities worldwide. Through primary sources, case studies, and critical scholarship, this course will provide a deeper understanding of Buddhism as a dynamic and border-crossing tradition, fostering discussion on the challenges and opportunities of transnational Buddhist networks in a globalized world.