The purpose of the workshop, as indicated by the title, is to explore the traditions of mantra and dhāraṇī in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. The use of these often cryptic texts is ubiquitous in the religions of Asia and the geographical scope of the workshop is accordingly broad -- from Sri Lanka and India to Tibet, China, Korea and Japan. The thematic focus of papers is open and can range from specific texts to more general questions about the nature of these materials in religious belief and practice.
