Religion is a term which encompasses almost every part of our life. Whether it is our culture, language & literature, history or civilisation, social behaviour or understanding of the humanity, religion shapes us. It is much truer in our region of South and Southeast Asia where the word “religion” goes beyond and farther than its stereotype meaning. It becomes Dhamma, Ways of Life, Essence of Humanity. The common inherent traits shared by our various civilisations in the past three millennia make our region a role model of co-existence where the external elements get adjusted, accepted and honoured.  Therefore, the SSEASR promotes the academic study of such rich scenario through the intra regional and international collaboration of all scholars normally resident in South and Southeast Asia whose research has a bearing on the subject. It would cover subjects such as (and not confined only to) history, linguistics, political science, geography, anthropology, sociology, economics, literature, cultural studies, law, folklore, etc. Cross-cultural studies would also be promoted to encourage better understanding among scholars.

It stands to bring out the genius of the local regional scholarship which generally gets deep buried in huge international academics. It is for creating a network of scholars in the region, and for that purpose, it shall cooperate with related agencies in the region of South and Southeast Asia to develop healthy academic atmospheres. In recent times, Asian scholars have started to work “within” Asia; such trends would be further promoted by the SSEASR among young Asian scholars who need exposure to the high standard of research being conducted at various competent academic institutions in the world. Thus, the SSEASR offers native scholars, writers and artists a perfect platform to share with the international fraternity.

The objective of the SSEASR is pursued by the usual means of scholarly activity such as the arrangement of conferences, symposia or colloquia, the encouragement of scholarly publications, the exchange of information through electronic or other means, and such other activities as the association or its elected officers shall from time to time determine. The SSEASR would also disseminate such scholarship by the publication of a journal, books and a newsletter.

The SSEASR also stands to promote a regular academic exchange and study tour to its countries for the benefit of the members. Such tours can be specifically organised for the SSEASR members to enhance the knowledge of the culture and religion of the region. Also, the members would get 30% rebate in purchase of the SSEASR publications and 20% lower registration fee for the bi-annual SSEASR Conferences.

The membership on yearly/life basis is open to all scholars, academic institutions and national/regional IAHR associations. SSEASR representatives at various South and Southeast Asian countries can be individually contacted to learn about the process of the membership and its academic benefits.

The Association is legally registered at New Delhi, India where the SSEASR Secretariat is based. All details can be found at its official website www.sseasr.org

In 2000, the  Executive Committee of the International Association for the History of Religions (popularly known as IAHR) which functions as a Member of the Conseil International de la Philosophie et des Sciences Humaines (CIPSH) under the auspices of the UNESCO, approved a long term plan to establish an academic body of scholars on religious studies in the region of South and Southeast Asia. Initially established in 1900, the IAHR had under its umbrella thirty-four national and four regional Associations (such as Africa, Europe, and Latin America).

Following the passage of the unanimous resolution passed by its General Assembly at Durban, South Africa (August2000), the IAHR established a Working Group under the chairmanship of Dr Amarjiva Lochan, University of Delhi, India to explore such possibility of establishing a permanent academic body headquartered in New Delhi, India. In the year 2000-2004, under close guidance of Prof Michael Pye, the past President of the IAHR, Prof Armin W. Geertz, the International General Secretary, IAHR (1995-2005), Prof Peter Antes, President, IAHR (2000-2005), and Prof Rosalind I.J. Hackett (then Vice President, now the President, IAHR), the Working Group with its representatives in almost every country of South and Southeast Asia put a joint and sincere effort.

With the inaugural conference in January (27-30), 2005 attended by 324 persons from 42 countries,  the SSEASR held a General Assembly at New Delhi on January 30, 2005 to pass a draft Constitution under the supervision of the IAHR Representatives.  Thus, the SSEASR (South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion) was born at 15:18:21 Indian Standard Time.

Following the recommendation of the Executive Committee and its International Committee, the IAHR General Assembly at Tokyo, Japan approved the formation of the SSEASR on March30, 2005, and it was made an affiliate body of the IAHR as its fifth regional Association.

IAHR Website: www.iahr.dk