The Hamburg Buddhist Biographies Workshop, held on February 14–15, 2025, brought together scholars of pre-modern and modern Chinese Buddhism alongside experts in Digital Humanities for an intensive and stimulating roundtable discussion. Organized by Leo Maximilian Koenig and Dr. Carsten Krause at Hamburg University, the workshop fostered an environment of collaborative exchange, encouraging both seasoned and early-career researchers to engage deeply with various aspects of Buddhist biographical studies.

Unlike conventional academic conferences, this workshop lived up to its name by facilitating genuine discussions rather than formal presentations. Structured around four keynote talks, followed by three thematic discussion sessions, participants were encouraged to contribute short statements and engage in open exchanges. This format allowed for a dynamic and interdisciplinary dialogue, bridging the gaps between different methodologies and scholarly traditions.

In particular, the intersections between traditional textual scholarship and digital methodologies emerged as a key theme. Participants discussed the relationship between hagiographies, (auto-)biographies, and historiographical sources, as well as how modern tools like social network analysis and geographical mapping can reshape our understanding of Buddhist history.

As a keynote speaker, I had the opportunity to present on “Between Digital Archives and Algorithms: A Historian’s Approach to China’s Biographical Data.” This talk explored how digital tools and computational techniques—such as named entity recognition, topic modeling, and network analysis—can enhance our ability to extract and interpret biographical data. Using the Shenbao corpus and the Modern China Biographical Database as case studies, I highlighted both the opportunities and challenges posed by digital methodologies in historical research.

Other keynote speakers reinforced this digital perspective. Jen-Jou Hung (Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts) introduced the Buddhist Authority Database, emphasizing its role in structuring and integrating Buddhist biographical records. Daniela Campo (University of Strasbourg) examined the evolution of autobiographical expression in the Chan Buddhist tradition, while Carsten Krause, Leo Maximilian Koenig, and Leon Woltermann (Hamburg University) explored how community-based encyclopedias like Chinese Wikipedia and Baidu Baike contribute to biographical research on contemporary Chinese Buddhism.

Throughout the two days, it became clear that Buddhist biographical studies stand at a methodological crossroads. While traditional philological and ethnographic approaches remain essential, digital humanities provide exciting new avenues for research. The workshop highlighted the potential of computational methods for data standardization, visualization, and large-scale analysis, which can complement and expand upon conventional close reading techniques.

Beyond methodologies, the event underscored the value of a collaborative and open academic environment. Participants were eager to share insights, challenge assumptions, and explore new research directions together. As I noted in my closing reflections, “I certainly learned a lot more from all of you and about the extensive and varied field of Buddhist studies. These are rare opportunities, and Carsten and his co-organizers have succeeded in making a true workshop—one filled with genuine conversations and exchanges—happen.”

For those working at the intersection of biography, Buddhism, and digital methodologies, the Hamburg workshop was a unique space to test ideas and forge connections. As scholars increasingly “board the digital train,” our paths are bound to cross again.

Christian Henriot