5th International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash
“Compilation of Traditional and New Aspects of Mt. Kailash and Surrounding Pilgrimage Sites”
University of Hamburg, March 21-22, 2020: postponed to March 26 - 27, 2022.
Due to the spreading of the coronavirus, the University of Hamburg cancels this event! The conference is postponed to a new date.
Khyentse Center for Tibetan Buddhist Textual Scholarship
Department of Indian and Tibetan Studies
supported by the
Numata Center for Buddhist Studies
organized by the Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group of Bulgaria, Germany and Russia
Aims of the Conference
Mt. Kailash in the far west of Tibet is one of the holiest mountains in the world, revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bönpo. During the last two decades, also Westerners set out for this remote region. Improved infrastructure and more liberal issuing of permits let their number and very much that of Indian pilgrims increase on a large scale. This requires new rules and regulations to preserve the landscape of Mt. Kailash and neighbouring sites.
A number of travel guides cover the topic of Mt. Kailash travels. However, many aspects of this exceptional geographical region are outlined just marginally in many of them. These include Lake Manasarovar, Lake Raksas Tal, Tirthapuri and the historical Guge Kingdom, as well as the sources of the four big rivers Brahmaputra, Karnali (headstream of the Ganges), Sutlej and Indus. Also the religious backgrounds, legends and iconographic properties are not dealt with in detail in these guides.
Besides the traditional rules for Tibetan and Indian pilgrims to Mt. Kailash, during recent years new observations and explorations were made and new regulations put into force. The aim of this conference is to compile both traditional and new aspects of the phenomenon of Mt. Kailash and the surrounding area of pilgrimage sites, their interpretation and comparison with old scriptures and tantric vision. Data on Mt. Kailash and the sacred lakes will be introduced and systemized. The knowledge of the sacred regions of Tibet will be shared, the cooperation in further scientific investigation discussed.
Conference Language: English
How to reach the Venue
Venue: University of Hamburg, Anna-Siemsen-Lecture Hall
Von Melle-Park 8, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
How to reach the Venue
From Hamburg Airport take city train S1 to Hauptbahnhof (main station) or city train S21 directly to the Dammtor station. Get ticket from the automat first, Euro 3,40.
If you arrive at Hauptbahnhof, take city train S11, S21 or S31, track 2 (the opposite track, same platform, if you arrive from the airport) to Dammtor station (bottom line in the map). If you start from Hauptbahnhof, the ticket is Euro 1,70, just one stop. . In the Dammtor station there is the Reisebank, if money exchange is needed. The University of Hamburg is close to Dammtor. Exit the Dammtor station on the northeast side.
Reach the Anna-Siemsen-Lecture Hall by a 10-12 min walk on Rothenbaumchaussee, Schlueterstrasse and Campus. Or take Bus #4, direction Eidelstedter Platz or Wildacker, or Bus #5, direction Burgwedel or Lokstedt Nedderfeld. Get ticket from the automat first. Exit at 2nd stop Grindelhof. From the bus line, turn right for 90 m, then right again. After another 90 m enter the Campus. The Anna-Siemsen-Lecture Hall entrance is straight ahead after 90 m on the left side of the little pond.
If you arrive by car, take notice that there are only few parking places close to the university. You should better leave your car at your hotel.
For the Lunch Break, the Mensa of the University offers a lunch menu and a vegetarian lunch menu, which you can select and order, together with your drink for the breaks, on the second page of the application form.
The weather in Hamburg in March may be rainy, temperatures around 10°C.
Topical forecast: www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Hamburg
Download the Conference Flyer(PDF) or the Conference Poster(PDF) here.
Speakers and Sessionchairs
Ian A. Baker, PhD | Great Britain |
Dr. Sergei Balalaev | Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
Bruno Baumann | Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Austria |
Ajitkumar Benadi | Jain Association International, Germany |
Dr. Ram Prasad Bhatt | University of Hamburg, Germany |
Dmitry Ermakov | Foundation for the Preservation of Yungdrung Bon, UK |
Minka Hauschild | Germany |
Susan Griffith-Jones | Great Britain / India |
Dr. Christoph Klein | Switzerland |
Galina Kotovskaya | Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
Niraj Kumar | Society for Asian Integration, India |
Dr. Alex McKay | Australia |
Prof. Pierre Mercier | Canada |
Alexey Perchukov | Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
Marwin Schwarzbach | Stiftung Sowa Rigpa, Boppard, Germany |
Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk | University of Hamburg, Germany |
Dr. Wolfgang Woellmer | Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Germany |
Program of the Conference
A conference program PDF file is available here for download.
Saturday, March 26, 2022
08:30 |
Opening of the Conference and Welcoming Speeches Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk, University of Hamburg, Germany Prof. Dr. Steffen Döll, Speaker of the Asien-Afrika-Institut, University of Hamburg, Germany |
Session 1: MT. KAILASH IN SCRIPTURES AND LEGENDS
Chair: Dr. Wolfgang Woellmer, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Germany
08:45 |
Interaction of the 4 Religions in their Beliefs in the Context of Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Prof. Pierre Mercier, Canada |
09:05 |
Hindu Scriptures and Legends of Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar Dr. Ram Prasad Bhatt, University of Hamburg, Germany |
09:25 |
The Importance of Mt. Kailash in the Bon Religion Dmitry Ermakov, Foundation for the Preservation of Yungdrung Bon, UK |
09:45 |
The Importance of Mt. Kailash in the Jain Religion Ajitkumar Benadi, Jain Association International, Germany |
10:05 |
The Significance of Mt. Kailash in Buddhist Scriptures Dr. Alex McKay, Australia |
10:25 |
Q&A |
10:50 |
Coffee/Tea Break |
Session 2: HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF THE MT. KAILASH REGION
Chair: Dr. Sergei Balalaev, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia
11:20 |
Identification of Gang Tise as the Holy Mt. Kailash Dr. Alex McKay, Australia |
11:40 |
Landscape Geoglyphs in the Region of Mt. Kailash and the Great Lakes Dr. Sergei Balalaev, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
12:00 |
History of Tibet and the Mt. Kailash Region Dr. Alex McKay, Australia |
12:20 |
Depiction of Mount Kailāśa (Ti-se) in Tibetan Literature Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk, University of Hamburg, Germany |
12:40 |
Q&A |
13:10 |
Lunch Break |
Session 3: THE MEANING OF PILGRIMAGE
Chair: Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk
14:35 |
The Organic Pilgrimage, a Spiral of Consciousness as Described in The Tibetan Book of the Dead Susan Griffith-Jones, Great Britain / India |
14:55 |
The Magical Duel Between Milarepa and Naro Bönchung: Who Really Won? Dmitry Ermakov, Foundation for the Preservation of Yungdrung Bon, UK |
15:15 |
“Existential Spinning”, the meaning behind the clockwise and anti-clockwise kora Susan Griffith-Jones, Great Britain / India |
15:35 |
The Meaning of the Kora of Mt. Kailash for Western Visitors Minka Hauschild, Germany |
15:55 |
Pilgrimage as Terrestrial Representation of GeometricaI Imagination: Inner and Outer Pilgrimage in the Kālachakra Corpus Niraj Kumar, Society for Asian Integration, India |
16:15 |
Q&A |
16:40 |
Afternoon Break |
Session 4: TOURIST AND MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Chair: Dr. Alex McKay
17:10 |
Access of Mt. Kailash and Overview of the Koras Dr. Wolfgang Wöllmer, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Germany |
17:30 |
Tourism Development in Tibet in Recent Years Alexey Perchukov, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
17:50 |
Video: Tibet, Place that Changes Lives Alexey Perchukov, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
18:10 |
The Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute Mt. Kailash in Darchen Dr. Christoph Klein, Switzerland |
18:30 |
Sowa Rigpa – The Science of Healing and Holy Mount Kailash Marwin Schwarzbach, Stiftung Sowa Rigpa, Germany |
18:50 |
Q&A |
19:15 |
End of the first Conference Day Program |
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Session 5: THE PARIKRAMA (TIB: KORA) OF MT. KAILASH AND THE LAKES
Chair: Dr. Wolfgang Wöllmer
08:00 |
The Kora of Mt. Kailash Bruno Baumann, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Austria |
08:20 |
Geometrical Features of the Relief in the Region of Mt. Kailash Dr. Sergei Balalaev, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
08:40 |
The Kora of Lake Manasarovar and Raksas Tal Galina Kotovskaya, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
09:00 |
Research of the Lake Gyuma Tso in the Region of Mt. Kailash Dr. Sergei Balalaev, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
09:20 |
Q&A |
09:40 |
Coffee/Tea Break |
Session 6: THE STATIONS OF THE BARKOR
Chair: Dr. Alex McKay
10:15 |
The Sources of the Four Great Rivers: Sacral and Physical Geography Dr. Sergei Balalaev, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
10:35 |
Tirthapuri and Gurugyam Bruno Baumann, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Austria |
10:55 |
Khyunglung and the Garuda Valley Bruno Baumann, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Austria |
11:15 |
Tsaparang and the Guge Kingdom Dr. Christoph Klein, Switzerland |
11:35 |
Piyang and Dungkar Dr. Wolfgang Wöllmer, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Germany |
11:55 |
Q&A |
12:20 |
Lunch Break |
Session 7: INNER KORA PATHS
Chair: Dr. Sergei Balalaev
13:50 |
The Inner Kora of Mt. Kailash and the Secret Dakini Path Bruno Baumann, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Austria |
14:10 |
Other Inner Kora Paths Dr. Wolfgang Wöllmer, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Germany |
14:30 |
The Basis of the Four Faces of Mt. Kailash: a Sacral Landscape Galina Kotovskaya, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
14:50 |
The Spiral Kora Dr. Wolfgang Wöllmer, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Germany |
15:10 |
Exploration of the Internal Mandala of Mt. Kailash Alexey Perchukov, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia |
15:30 |
Q&A |
15:55 |
Afternoon Break |
Session 8: TANTRIC ASPECTS OF MT. KAILASH
Chair: Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk
16:25 |
The Geography of Yoga: Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in the History of Indian and Tibetan Tantrism Ian A. Baker, PhD, Great Britain |
16:45 |
The Psychophysical Body Image Represented in Mt. Kailash Minka Hauschild, Germany |
17:05 |
The Chakrasamvara Mandala and the Faces of Mt. Kailash Dr. Wolfgang Wöllmer, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Germany |
17:25 |
Mt. Kailash in the Kalachakra Tantra Niraj Kumar, Society for Asian Integration, India |
17:45 |
The Physics of ‘Rainbow Body’ Susan Griffith-Jones, Great Britain / India |
18:05 |
Q&A |
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
Chair: n.n.
18:40 |
a) Environmental Problems in the Mt. Kailash Region Statement: Dr. Wolfgang Wöllmer |
19:00 |
b) Topics of the International Research Group of the Kailash Phenomenon Statement: Dr. Sergei Balalaev |
19:30 | End of the Conference |
Organization of Participation
Registration of participation: Please register as early as possible to support the organization, download the application-form(PDF) with this link.
Please order the desired lunch and coffee/tea break service on the 2nd page of the application form. On the 3rd page you’ll find the Declaration of Consent, according to the EU Directive for Protection of Data Privacy. Please sign this at the end of the 4th page.
Contact: Send a scan of all four pages of the filled application form including your lunch/tea/coffee order and the signed Declaration of Consent as e-mail attachment to
kailash-conference.aai"AT"uni-hamburg.de .
If you enroll as student or ordained person, please enclose a scan of your student card/of your ordination pass.
In order to help with the organization, please pay the total due calculated from the application form at the same time, either as SEPA bank transfer or from your credit card (only VISA card and Master card are accepted). Please understand that the amounts for credit card payment are a little higher, to make sure that the full due is booked on the conference bank account. Indicate the reason for payment with Invoice No. 100047408 and your name.
When your application form is received and your attendance fee is booked on the conference bank account, you will get an acknowledgement of your registration and a confirmation of the payment, which may also serve as a conference invitation, in case you need this for your visa application.
Attendance fee until March 19, 2022: | 150 Euro |
Early registration until January 19, 2022: | 120 Euro |
Students with valid student card: | 100 Euro |
Ordained participants: | 75 Euro |
1 Day ticket at the Conference desk: | 90 Euro |
Hotel: Please arrange your hotel as needed yourself under www.hamburg-tourism.de or on a list of hotels close to the University of Hamburg: > Hotels nearby
In the Dammtor station there is the Reisebank, if money exchange is needed.
Financial Support: The organization of an international conference needs funds and donations for a multitude of expenses, like staff, technical equipment, insurance and other fees and so on. If you are willing to support the 5th International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash, your donation is greatly appreciated. Please transfer your donation separately from the attendance fee and indicate the reason for payment with Invoice No. 100047602, your name and “Donation for the International Kailash Conference”. For donations up to 200 Euro, the transfer voucher is sufficient for your tax declaration. For higher donations you will receive a contribution receipt, when your donation is booked on the conference bank account.
Previous Conferences and selected Literature
Previous Conferences
1st International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash “The Phenomenon of Kailas and its Role in Human Evolution”, Moscow, Russia, April 12-13, 2014, see http://en.icr.su/work/conferencies/kailas-2014/index.php
2nd International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash “The Phenomenon of Kailas and its Role in the Evolution of Human Development”, Moscow, Russia, March 21-22, 2015, http://en.icr.su/work/conferencies/kailas-2015/index.php
3rd International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash “Assembly of Kailas – The Way of the Spiral of Unity”, Varna, Bulgaria, March 18-20, 2016, see http://www.mt-kailash.ru/english-version/press-release-from-01-april-2016-on-the-third-international-conference-dedicated-to-mount-kailash-assembly-on-kailash-path-along-the-spiral-of-unity.html
4th International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash “Ancient Knowledge of Kailas”, Darchen, Tibet, May 9, 2017, see http://www.mt-kailash.ru/events/conference/2017-forum-ancient-knowledge-of-kailash-2.html
Selected Literature
- Sergei Balalaev: „The Call of Kailash – Photo Album“, Moscow Publishing House Kodeks, 2010
- Sergei Balalaev: “Studies in the Mt. Kailash Region, Tibet. The Geographical and Traditional Sources of the Indus River”. The Himalayan Journal, Mumbai. India, Vol. 74, 2019
- Bruno Baumann: “Kailash, Tibets heiliger Berg” (“Kailash – Tibet’s Holy Mountain”). Piper Verlag, Muenchen, 2002, (in German)
- Bruno Baumann: „Der Silberpalast des Garuda“ („The Silver Palace of the Garuda“), Piper Verlag, Muenchen, 2006, (in German)
- Bruno Baumann: „Der Kristallspiegel – Pilgerreise zum heiligen Berg Kailash“ (“The Crystal Mirror – Pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain Kailash”), Nymphenburger Verlag, Muenchen, 2006, (in German)
- John Vincent Bellezza: “Zhang Zhung: Foundations of Civilization in Tibet. A Historical and Ethnoarchaeological Study of the Monuments, Rock Art, Texts and Oral Tradition of the Ancient Tibetan Upland. Philosophisch-Historische Klasse Denkschriften, Vol. 368. Wien: Verlag der Oesterreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 2008
- John Vincent Bellezza: „KM-III Exploration Report, a Reconnaissance Mission to Locate the Sri Ashtapad Temple”. University of Virginia, 2009
- Katrin Burri: „Umweltschutz in der Kailashregion“, 2005. (“Environmental protection in the region of Mt. Kailash”) www.kailashprojekte.ch/downloads/UmweltschutzKailashregion.pdf
- Keith Dowman: „The Sacred Life of Tibet”. Harper Collins Publishers Ltd. 1997
- Lama Anagorika Govinda: “The Way of the White Clouds”. Hutchinson & Co. Ltd., London, 1966
- Toni Huber: “The Holy Land Reborn”. The University of Chicago Press, 2008
- Alex McKay: „Kailas Histories – Renunciate Traditions and the Construction of Himalayan Sacred Geography”. Brill’s Tibetan Studies Library, Leiden, 2015
- Swami Pranavananda: “Kailash – Manasarovar”, 2nd edition, Surya Print Process, New Delhi, 1983
- Wolfgang Woellmer: “The Inner and Outer Paths of Mt. Kailash”, Vajra Books, Nepal, 2014 available at shop"AT"buecher-thoene.de
- Wolfgang Woellmer & Alexey Perchukov: “The Spiral Kora of Mt. Kailash”, The Himalayan Journal, Mumbai, India, Vol. 72, 2017
- Wolfgang Woellmer & Sergei Balalaev: “Ancient Knowledge and Modern Explorations of the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash”, The Himalayan Journal, Mumbai. India, Vol. 74, 2019
- Wolfgang Woellmer & Sergei Balalaev: “Das Phaenomen des heiligen Bergs Kailash in alter Wissenstradition und neuer Erkundung”. Tibet und Buddhismus Nr. 121, Tibetisches Zentrum, Hamburg, Germany, 2019 (in German)
- “Tibet 1:1 500 000, world mapping project Tibet”, Reise-Know-How-Verlag Peter Rump, Bielefeld, Germany
- “Kailash-Trekking-Map 1:50 000” and “Kailash Panorama Map“, Gecko Maps Arne Rohweder, Zurich-Egg, Switzerland
Sponsors and Exhibition
The 5th International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash is supported by these sponsors
- Numata Center for Buddhist Studies, University of Hamburg, Germany
- Milarepa Retreat Centre “Drigung Kagyu Gangri Chagchen Dargye Ling“, Schneverdingen, Germany
- Tibetisches Zentrum e.V., Hamburg, Germany
- Gustav Prietsch-Stiftung, Hamburg, Germany
- Deutsche Tibethilfe e.V. , German Aid to Tibetans, Hamburg, Germany
Some institutions supporting this conference will also display their material/programs related to Mt. Kailash and Tibet. Please use the coffee/tea breaks to visit the stands of these institutions and get information about their programs. The following institutions will be present in rooms next to the venue:
- Milarepa Retreat Centre “Drigung Kagyu Gangri Chagchen Dargye Ling“, Schneverdingen, Germany
- Tibetisches Zentrum e.V., Hamburg, Germany
- Deutsche Tibethilfe e.V. , German Aid to Tibetans, Hamburg, Germany
- Stiftung Sowa Rigpa – Die buddhistische Wissenschaft vom Heilen (the Buddhist Science of Healing), Boppard, Germany
- Minka Hauschild, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Dharmapala Thangka Centre, Bremen, Germany / Kathmandu, Nepal
Picture Gallery















