Speakers & Discussants

Prof Geshe

Ngawang Samten

Born on July 7, 1956 at Dokhar in Central Tibet, Professor Geshe Ngawang Samten came to India along with his parents after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959. He studied at the Central School for Tibetans in Chandragiri, Orissa, and thereafter at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarnath.

He possesses a rare combination of education on modern lines as well as the Tibetan monastic system. He obtained Geshe Lharampa degree, from Gaden Shartse monastery, equivalent to Ph.D. degree in the modern system.

As a result of his outstanding achievement in the field of research, he was promoted to the position of Professor of Buddhist Philosophy. He is also actively engaged in Hindi translations of Buddhist texts in Sanskrit and Tibetan. Professor Samten, with his special interest in the philosophy of Nagarjuna, published the definitive critical edition of the Ratnavali with its commentary as the result of his post-graduate research. He is credited with important publications, such as a critical edition of Abhidhammattha Samgaho, a critical edition of Sanskrit and Tibetan versions of the Pindikrita and the Pancakrama of Nagarjuna, and co-authored The Ocean of Reasoning, an annotated English translation of the commentary on Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamaka Karika by the Tibetan master thinker Tson-Kha-Pa, published by Oxford University Press. The Ocean of Reasoning is acclaimed far and wide.

He has contributed to the improvement of academic standards at CIHTS, particularly through teaching and research. He is instrumental in promoting Buddhist Studies in India. A number of Indian universities have greatly been benefited by his scholarship and insight in formulating courses and initiating Buddhist studies. He strongly advocates to make the education system instrumental in transforming the students through inculcation of value along with development of skills in various fields.

He frequently travels across the continents lecturing to academic audiences in the United States, Europe, Australia, Russia, some of the Asian countries and as well in India. He has been in action at various national and international seminars, workshops and conferences. He has held Visiting Professorship at Hampshire, Amherst and Smith Colleges in the USA and at the University of Tasmania in Australia.

In virtue of his sagacity and wisdom, Professor Samten has been on numerous academic bodies of Universities and expert committees of the Ministries of Government of India, and as a member on the boards of several Institutes in USA, Canada, Thailand, France and Austria. He has also served in the Editorial Board of International Association of Tibetan Studies in Harvard. He has been the Vice President of Association of Indian Universities, and has served chairman/member of various expert committees constituted by the University Grant Commission of India.

In 2009, he has been awarded Padma Shri (one of the country’s highest civilian awards) by the President of India for his distinguished services in the field of education and literature.

In 2016, he has been awarded Vesak Samman by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding lifelong achievement in the fields preservation, development and promotion of Indian philosophy, arts and culture within and outside India, as well as his lifelong services towards dissemination of Buddhist studies and establishment of academic institutions.

He is currently the Vice-Chancellor of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi.

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Venerable

Geshe Dorji Damdul

Ven Geshe Dorji Damdul is presently Director at Tibet House, New Delhi, Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1988, Geshe Dorji Damdul joined the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, Dharamsala for formal studies in Buddhist logic, philosophy and epistemology. After 15 years of study in Buddhist philosophy he finished his Geshe Lharampa Degree (Ph.D.) in 2002 from Drepung Loseling Monastic University. He joined Gyudmed Tantric College for a year for Tantric studies.

In 2003, the Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama sent him to Cambridge University, England for Proficiency English studies. He was a visiting fellow at Girton College, Cambridge University.

He was appointed as the official translator to H.H. the Dalai Lama since 2005. He has been serving as the interpreter for H.H. the Dalai Lama for many years and at the same time involved in doing written translations of many texts from Tibetan into English such as Arya Nagarjuna’s “Mulamadyamikakarika” (Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way) and Acharya Shantideva’s “Bodhicaryavatara” (Wisdom Chapter). He was appointed as the Director of Tibet House, Cultural Center of H.H. the Dalai Lama, New Delhi in March 2011.

As assigned by the Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama, he visited the US in 2008 to work with Prof. Paul Ekman, a world renowned Psychologist, one of the pioneers of the science of micro-facial expressions, on H.H. the Dalai Lama’s book “Emotional Awareness” which is co-authored by Dr. Paul Ekman of the University of California Medical School.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama also assigned him with a text book project. He was one of the chief editors for the text book on Buddhist Science and Philosophy. This text book is to be used for Centers and Institutes all over the world to study more thoroughly on Buddhist philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, and science.

He was also assigned, along with few other scholars to work on H.H. the Dalai Lama’s book “Ethics for the New Millennium – Part II, later came up with the title Beyond Religion,” and the series of “Art of Happiness” book which were jointly written by H.H. the Dalai Lama and Prof. Howard Cutler. Likewise he is actively involved in critical editing works with other books of H.H. the Dalai Lama like “The Graded Path.”

He was affiliated with Drepung Loseling Library where he served as the editor of Dreloma Magazine for eight years from 1994-2001. Prior to that he was the editor and contributor for 5 years for “Lhaksam Tsekpa” – a journal of comparative studies, the theme of which is on Modern Science and philosophy, published by the Institute of Buddhist Studies.

He wrote a number of important papers for National and International Conferences held in Delhi University, and so forth. The papers constitute topics such as “The Paradox of Brain and Mind” and “The Ultimate Reality According to Arya Nagarjuna.”

He is in the process of writing two important books, one on “Journey into the Paradox of Brain and Mind” and the other “What Constitutes the Ultimate Reality: The Effects of Understanding the Ultimate Reality.”

In 2004 – 05, for two years, he was assigned as the Philosophy Lecturer for the Emory University Study Abroad Program which was being held in Dharamsala, India since 2001.

In 2008, he was appointed as a visiting fellow in Delhi University to give lectures in three of the University’s departments – Philosophy, Psychology, and Buddhist Studies.

In 2011, Indira Gandhi National Open University recruited him as one of the chief experts to design the syllabi for B.A. and M.A. course on the Tibetan Studies as a part of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) program.

While assigned with the responsibility of the Directorship of Tibet House, the Cultural Centre of H.H. the Dalai Lama, New Delhi, India, he also gives regular lectures in Tibet House and many other places like Universities and Institutes. He also travels widely within India and abroad, like Mumbai, USA, U.K., and Singapore to teach Buddhist philosophy, psychology, logic and practice.

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Mr. Tempa Tsering

Mr Tempa Tsering has dedicated his life to serving in Tibetan Administration, holding key roles until his retirement in 2016.

• Deputy secretary at the Department of Information and International Relations of Central Tibetan Administration (1974 - 1980)
• Deputy secretary (and later as additional secretary) at the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (1981 - 1985)
• Additional secretary at the Department of Home; as chief coordinator in Bangalore at the Chief Representative's Office for the five settlements in the state of Karnataka (1988 - 1990)
• Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations (1990 - 1991)
• Minister (Kalon), Department of Home (2000 - 2001)

In 2006, he was nominated as Minister (Kalon) by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and later approved by the Member of Assembly. From there, he served as the Kalon for the Department of Information and International Relations while also serving as Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi. After stepping down as Kalon, he continued in the post of Representative in New Delhi until his retirement in 2016.

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His Holiness

The Dalai Lama

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. He is the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two, the child, then named Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama.

His Holiness began his monastic education at the age of six. At 23, His Holiness sat for his final examination in Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple, during the annual Great Prayer Festival (Monlam Chenmo) in 1959. He passed with honors and was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree, equivalent to the highest doctorate in Buddhist philosophy.

In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.

His Holiness has travelled to more than 67 countries spanning 6 continents. He has received over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion.

He has also authored or co-authored more than 110 books. His Holiness has held discussions with heads of different religions and participated in many events promoting inter-religious harmony and understanding.

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Most Venerable

Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero

The Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero, is the highest appointed prelate of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya of the Sangha ancestry of Mahavihara. He was born on the 25th of August 1948 and entered bhikkuhood as a samanera (novice monk) at Minioluwa Vidyawasa Pirivena (Monastery) on the 24th of March 1960.

The Mahanayake Thero was opportune to receive his initial monastic education, under the guidance of the Most Venerable Mahopadyaya Kumbukwewe Vijithasena Nayake Thero, Venerable Pidume Rathana Nayaka Thero, the Deputy Chief Incumbent of Minioluwa Widyawasa Pirivena and the Most Venerable Mahopadyaya Loluwagoda Gnanarathana Nayaka Thero.

Thereafter, having been excelled in all requisite qualifications in Pracheena Prarambha and Maddhyama he entered Anuradhapura Buddha Sravaka Bhikshu University, Sri Lanka in 1971 and had further education under able guidance of the Most Venerable Induruwe Uththarananda Mahanayake Thero, the then Dean of the said university.

The Mahanayake Thero, having received “Thripitakacharya Title” in the year 1974 from the central administration of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya had his “Thripitakavedi Title (Bachelor of the Tripitaka)” from the Buddhasravaka Dharma Peetaya (Faculty) in 1976. In 1976, the Degree of “Thripitaka Visharada (Hons) was conferred on the Mahanayake Thero from the apex body of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and equally proved his prowess in eruditeness of Dhamma by excelling in the “Saddhammachariya” and “Vinayachariya” examinations conducted by the Sumangala Commemorative Assembly of the Maligakanda Vidyodaya Maha Pirivena (Monastery) and was thus graduated. Whilst outshining of his unquenchable thirst in Dhamma, the Mahaayaka Thero obtained B.A. (Hons) degree in 1982 from the University of Kelaniya, M.A. from the Postgraduate Institute of Kelaniya University in 1990.

Having all these honorific titles in the field of education to his credit before stepping into the threshold of perfect path to liberation, he finally received the higher ordination at the holy precinct of Udakukkepa Seema Malakaya of Thotalanga Kelani River in Colombo under the tutelage of the Most Venerable Induruwe Uththarananda Maha Nayaka Thero.

In recognition of the great and enormous services the Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero has rendered for the Nikaya itself and Buddhist religious education and social spheres at national and international level, the most covetous honorary title of “Aggamahapanditha Title” was conferred upon the Mahanayake Thero by the Union of Myanmar in 2019.

Apart from the above, the noble religious titles such as “Dhrmakeerthi Sri Saranakara”, “Saddharmakeerthi Sri Sashthra Visharada”, “Sashthra Keerthisri Pariyaththadhara”, “Siri Saranankaropasena Wansalankara”, “Shashana Sobhana”, “Thripitaka Visharadha”, and “Shasthrapathi”, were bestowed upon the Mahanayake Thero.

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Most Venerable

Bhikshu Jing Yao

Ven Master Jing Yao was born in 1954 in Chiayi county. His birth name was Hsu Min Hui and graduated from Edition &Interview Department of Shih Hsin University. After graduation,being a police & politic reporter for 5 years made him a keen observer, keeping a good relationship with the field as well. However, In 1970, a fatal car accident changed his life. As a result, he decided to renounce the luxury and comforts of the material world , and lead a monastic life. In 1982, the venerable master Guang Hua shaved Hsu's head and gave him the Dharma name of Jing Yao . Besides, he was a disciple of contemporary and venerable master Yin Shun for 3 years.

Over the past 35 years, Master Jing Yao has helped those who are suffering in prison or from drug abuse, which becomes the stable strength of cultivated function in prison owning to his Humanistic Buddhism teaching. Nowadays, he is still busy in visiting every prison in Taiwan monthly. There are over 100,000 man-time taking benefit from his caring and teaching.

Since 1986, master himself not only has worked towards the mission of prison caring but also set up volunteer work team for counseling in The Society Improvement Foundation and Chinese Buddhist Pu-Xian Fu Hua Association , both of which are non-profit organizations.

Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education ,Law Service Department and Health bureau and other government organizations or associations have given over 30 awards to Master and the order since 1993. Since 1990, his routine work as a mission has been to provoke the sense of drug free to people , by beholding the self mind, keeping away from the defilement of sensual pleasures, the defilemen of heresy, and the defilement of ignorance.

Since 1991, in respond to the plead of “Global Anti- Terrorism, Rescue the People who are in need“，Master has been active in charitable ventures on a worldwide basis such as international disaster assistance, medical aids and fund raising for Sri Lanka, El Salvador, India and Mongolia and so on.

From 2002 and on , Master Jing Yao was worried about the unfavorable situation of misbehaved children and youth who were lacking of parents’ love or family members. He decided to change the situations and used the site for midway home construction to help them complete their regular curriculum and attain their job skills, which will be able to be used by the end of April this year.

Over the recent years, interestes in charitable services have grown in Tiawan, yet few of them concern about the darkest side of social issues(i.e. prisoners and drugs abusement) due to the daunting challenges lying ahead. Although Master Jing Yao will still face many insurmontable difficulties in the future. However, thoughout the years the accomplishments he has achieved in Humanistic Buddhish and Cultivation are magnificent.

Current positions：

1. President of Buddhist Association of The Republic of China
2. President of Taiwan Conference on Religion and Peace
3. Abbot of Ci-Fa Monastery in Tu-Cheng
4. Abbot of Pu-Xian Monastery in Taipei
5. President of Jing-Hua Society Improvement Foundation
6. Advisor of New Taipei City Government
7. Lecturer of National Anti-Drug Education Media Campaigns of Ministry of Education
8. Teacher of Taipei Detention Center in Tu-cheng
9. Religious Teacher and Volunteer of Taichung Drug Abuser Treatment Center
10. Religious Teacher of Taichung Prison
11. Religious Teacher of Taichung Detention Center
12. Director of Foundation for Poison Control

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Most Venerable

Dr Dhammapiya

Ven Dr. Dhammapiya is the current Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation (IBC). The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is a global umbrella Buddhist body headquartered in New Delhi, India. Established under the patronage of the supreme Buddhist religious hierarchy, it currently has a membership drawn from 39 countries of over 320 organisations, both monastic and lay, that include world bodies, national and regional federations, orders, temple bodies and monasteries, etc.

Ven Dr. Dhammapiya is also the founder of Dhamma Dipa Foundation, Secretary General of the North East India Buddhist Sangha Council and the founder and chairman for Bahujan Hitya Education Trust, Manu Banku Tripura. Apart from holding these prestigious posts he is also the professor & principal of the Michael Madhusudan Dutta (MMD) College, Tripura. He is also running a charitable residential school named “Dhamma Dipa Senior secondary School” along with a monastic education institution named “Dhamma Dipa International Buddhist Academy”, where over 150 Buddhist monks and novices are given monastic education and are being trained in meditation and Dhamma Courses. Ven Dr. Dhammapiya has also actively participated in several national & International Seminars, Conferences and workshops, Symposium in India and abroad since 1994.

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Samdech Preah Moha Sangharajah

Dhipati Bour Kry

Born in 1945, Venerable Bour Kry became a monk in 1963. After some time spending in the monastic life, Venerable Bour Kry is appointed as Secretary of Mekon authority (Provincial Spiritual Authority ) in his native town. Appreciated by his superior monk and his faithfuls, the Buddhist clergy entrusts him with the management of a monastery near Thai-Cambodian border.

In 1975, after the takeover of the Khmer Rouge, the situation of the monks became dramatic. He managed to flee and reached to France in 1976. During an interview at Vatican city with His Holiness the Pope Jean Paul II, he requested the Catholic Church to condemn officially the murderous policy in Cambodia. The long standing friendship links between Cambodia and France since more than one century had made the French territories the privileged asylum land chosen by the flow of the Cambodian refugees. Quickly, the first arrivals summon up all their strength and set up the association in order to welcome those who arrive in France by successive waves larger and larger, repatriated by international organizations or by their own resources. The aims of these associations consisted in making easier the integration of these new arrivals and avoid the more possible the social and cultural uprooting created by the exile. In exile, a small group of the monks and the secular persons in France founded in 1977 in Paris the first religious association: "Association Bouddhique Khmère” (Khmer Buddhist Association).

In 1980, the religious community extended and purchased a building land in Creteil (Paris suburbs) owing to the generous donations received. Master Bour Kry, as the oldest member of the exiled religious community takes the management of this association and decides to build a pagoda which is the first type in Europe: Vatt Khemararam was born and received the Consecration ceremonial according to the Buddhist tradition. In the following years, the community who were well spoken of had opened all centres without race or citizenship discrimination showing the ecumenical spirit of its founder. Master Bour Kry established non-stop fellowship and friendship relations with several schools of the other traditions.

In 1982, Master Bour Kry created the "Secours Bouddhique International" (International Buddhist Assistance), a humanitarian organisation with an distinct legal status from the monastery. Since his arrival in France, he had never stop going to pay a visit to the refugees camps in South-East Asia in order to provide material and moral aids.

ROYAL NOMINATION
Noting his constant devotion towards his fellow man, His Royal Highness Prince Norodom Sihanouk, then President of Supreme National Council, nominated him to the rank of "Samdech Preah Ang Krou"(Spiritual Eminence Master) in 1987. His new title allows him to lead others important actions in favour of the poor people and does not stop him in his natural feeling drawn of kindness and pity to fellow human being.

In 1991, His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia appointed him with the Head of Dhammayutta Order as " Samdech Preah Sukontheathipadei "Samdech Preah Sanghareach (Supreme Patriarch) of Dhammayuttikanikaya of Cambodia.

October 26, 2007, His Majesty King NORODOM SIHAMONI conferred him the supreme title of “Samdech Preah Abhisiri Sugandha Mahasangharajah Dhipati” BOUR KRY, Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayutta Order of Cambodia.

SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS WORKS
Since the Paris Agreement signed in 1991 between all Khmer factions, the Supreme Patriarch often comes back to Cambodia where he contributes tirelessly on the revival of the monastic life and on the rebuilding of the monasteries or the schools deserted during the decades of war and deprivations. In the framework of national reconstruction, His Holiness Sangharajah Bour Kry wished to give a Buddhist contribution in the Royal Government policy concerning the rural development. The Supreme Patriarch considers Buddhism had to get back to his millennial function of education among the Khmers society and into the heart of the young generations. Anxious to give an outburst to the future generation, His Holiness Sangharajah sent many young monks to the foreign countries (France, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, India etc.) so that they received the new knowledges to take up the challenge of the rebirth of Khmer Dhammayutta Buddhism.

The Buddhist Institute Preah Sihanouk Dhammadhiraj was created in 1995 on his initiative. This institution is located at 45 kms, from Phnom-Penh in the village of Chambâk, Province of Kampong Speu. Its mains aims are :

1. to educate and provide professional training to the poorest young
2. to revitalize the Buddha's Teachings
3. to introduce the Cambodian youth to the Cambodian tradition and culture

This Institute is focused before all others on the education of the poorest young Cambodians by reviving the traditional function of the Buddhist schools and to rehabilitate the values of the Cambodian families. Nowadays, the Institute takes in permanently about a hundred of young people whom the parents are too poor to take care of them. The funding of the centre is ensured by the generosity of the disciples of the Supreme Patriarch living inside and outside of the country.

With the passing time, others social and religious works appeared such as :

- The Buddhist High school Samdech Preah Sanghareach BOUR KRY at Phnom-Penh, the Pali Secondary and high school granted financial aid mostly by the personal fund of His Holiness and by the aid of his disciples. This school is created in order to train the monks and novices to the religious and scholar study at the secondary levels. It situated inside of Svay Pope Monastery at Phnom-Penh and included three classes. At the end of 3 years of studies, an examination will be held and the students will receive a diploma recognized by the State.

- The University Preah Sihamoni Raja, placed under auspices of His Majesty the King of Cambodia, is situated in the same area of Vatt Svay Popè. This university has been created in order to answer the needs of the young resourceless high school students (monks and laic) that want to pursue their academic studies.

A constant evolution took place under the authority of the Supreme Patriarch. Since 1997 until nowadays, we could note an increasing number of monasteries of Dhammayutta Order newly built which are disseminated throughout the country, especially in Pailin, independent province in the West of Cambodia (Officially by July 2004, there are 151 Dhammayutta monasteries). Besides, elderly people, orphans and destitute have had the charitable and humanitarian aids from the actual Supreme Patriarch.

HIGH DISTINCTIONS
For his many actions in favour of Buddhism, His Holiness Sangharajah Bour Kry received the acknowledgement from several Buddhist countries (Sri Lanka – Thailand) who confered him the high-ranked diplomas such as : Doctor Honoris Causa, Section Buddhism, from Maha Mongkut Raja University (25 October 2003, Thailand) and as well as the high religious title of "Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja" of Sangha of Myanmar.

In September 2007, Prime minister Hun Sen handed him the "Great Medal National Merit" (Jatupakara) in sign of recognition for his numerous actions in favor of the Khmer People as well as for his noble mission to the profit of Khmer Theravada Buddhism.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
His Holiness the Great Supreme Patriarch has erected several monasteries and Buddhist centres throughout many European countries:

• France (Creteil, Toul-Nancy, Lille)
• Belgium (Brussels)
• Germany (Stuttgart)
• United States (Ohio – Los Angeles/California – Washington State).

His Holiness Maha Sanghararah Bour Kry has undertaken a Peace’s March in India, birthplace of Buddhism (December 1990). The Great Supreme Patriarch has also attended to several international conferences in France, Japan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Vietnam, Taïwan, Indonesia and Thailand where his message of Tolerance, Peace and Compassion thrills the sentient being's heart aspire to good fortune and harmony in the new millennium. The 3rd World Buddhist Summit hold on in Phnom-Penh confirmed his message because all religious Leaders are unanimously decided to address a message of Peace, Tolerance at the dawn of 21st century.

The Great Supreme Patriarch has never forgotten for all that the great challenge that known our actual society : the AIDS. For this purpose, he accepted the invitation of the White House, in the United States, for debating on this matter. In March 2001, he paid a visit to Chieng Mai, in Thailand, to discuss this problem. He also attended to the collages on the themes of cigarettes and drug’s dependence.

His Holiness Maha Sangharajah of Dhammayutta Order of Cambodia has also managed to strengthen the relationship with the Dhammayutta Thai Sangha. The latest offered him a Ti Pitaka’s volume for the library of Buddhist High School Preah Sanghareach Bour Kry.

Besides, His Holiness Maha Sangharajah Bour Kry has received the invitation from the Organizing Committee for the 90th Birthday of Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara on October 3rd 2003 at Wat Bovoranives, Bangkok.

The Great Supreme Patriarch has published many religious books in Khmer and texts on the social question such as Peace, Social development, etc. to grant the harmony and peace in our actual society.

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Venerable

Abbot Geshe Tashi Tsering

Born in Purang, Tibet in 1958, Geshe Tashi Tsering escaped to exile in India with his parents. He received his early education in schools run by exile Tibetan Administration in India. He enrolled as a monk at Sera Mey monastery in south India in 1970 and in 1990 he finished Geshe Lharampa degree. He has been teaching Buddhism in the West since 1991 till 2018, mainly in the UK and other countries. He had written 6 books on Buddhist Philosophy and Practices and created a two year online Buddhist course, The Foundation of Buddhist Thought. He studied for an MA in Social Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) of London University. In 2018, His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed him the Abbot of Sera Mey Monastic University in India. In 2019, for his services to Buddhism in the UK Geshe Tashi Tsering is awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). More details: www.geshetashi.org

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Venerable

Thich Tam Duc

Ven. Dr. Thich Tam Duc was born in 1953. He received two Ph.Ds (Buddhist Studies in 1997 and Philosophy in 2003) in Delhi University, India and Honorary Ph.D from International University of Morality, Florida, USA on October 08,2018.

He has taken part in a number of international conferences, given Buddha’s teachings in Vietnam and abroad, and published three books, i. e.,

1. Buddhist Solutions, Hanoi: Religious Publishing House, 2008
2. Ekayana Philosophy of the Saddharmapundarika-sutra, India: Originals, 2012
3. The way to Trúc-Lâm Meditation school in Vietnam, Hanoi: Vietnam National University Press, 2020

He is currently the Standing Vice Rector in Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute and in Vietnam Buddhist University in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Venerable

Ajahn Brahmali

Ajahn Brahmali was at Bodhinyana Monastery, Australia since 1994, and was ordained as a Bhikkhu, with Ajahn Brahm as his preceptor, in 1996.

In 2015 he entered his 20th Rains Retreat as a fully ordained monastic and received the title Maha Thera (Great Elder).

Ajahn Brahmali’s knowledge of the Pali language and of the Suttas is excellent. Bhikkhu Bodhi who translated most of the Pali Canon into English for Wisdom Publications called him one of his major helpers for the recent translation of the “Numerical Discourse of the Buddha”. He has also published two essays on Dependent Origination and a book called “The Authenticity of the Early Buddhist Texts” with the Buddhist Publication Society in collaboration with Bhante Sujato.

The monastics of the Buddhist Society of WA (BSWA) often turn to him to clarify Vinaya (monastic discipline) or Sutta questions. They also greatly appreciate his Sutta and Pali classes. Furthermore he has been instrumental in most of the building and maintenance projects at Bodhinyana Monastery and at the emerging Hermit Hill property in Serpentine.

Ajahn Brahmali’s clear and thoughtful talks make the teachings of the Buddha easily accessible to all. As his teachings and Sutta Retreats in Australia were getting more and more popular over the years and as the word about him spread, he started to travel to Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka recently to share his knowledge and experience.

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Shartse Khensur Rinpoche

Jangchub Choeden

Geshe Jangchup Choeden alias Shartse Khensur Rinpoche was trained in Gaden Shartse Monastery and graduated as a Geshe Lharampa. Later he received advanced degree of Geshe Ngagrampa from Gyuto Tantric University. He studied under many great eminent Tibetan masters, including H. H. The Dalai Lama.

He has travelled extensively and taught Dharma in many countries of America, Europe and Asia. Apart from Tibetan, he speaks fluent Hindi, English and Mandarin. For nine years from 2009 to 2017 he served as The Abbot (Khen Rinpoche) of his Alma mater, Gaden Shartse Monastery.

He regularly participates in many important international dialogues and conferences. At present, he is the Executive Director of Geluk International Foundation—global headquarter of the Geluk Tradition--, Secretary at Gaden Trithok Khang--Office of the Supreme leader of Geluk Tradition--. He is also the Deputy General Secretary of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), based in Delhi, and Vice President of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP), based in Ullanbator, Mongolia.

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Khenpo

Sonam Tsewang

Khenpo Sonam Tsewang is a Khenpo (equivalent to Professor of Buddhism) at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute (NNI), the advanced centre for Buddhist philosophical study at Namdroling Monastery, Bylakkuppe. He graduated in higher Buddhist studies from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi and also from NNI, Namdroling.

He received the “Lopon” degree from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the year 2010 and was enthroned as a “Khenpo” at Namdroling Monastery in 2011 by His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche.

Khenpo has served Namdroling Monastery for many years. He served in the Rigzod Editorial Committee as an editor and translator for over seven years. Subsequently, he founded the Padma Mani Translation Committee (PMTC) of NNI, where he taught translation, administered and supervised for six years. He was also one of the founding members of Ngagyur Nyingma Research Centre (NNRC), the research unit of NNI, and worked for the committee for five years. Beside this, he has also represented Namdroling Monastery in various platforms such as national and international seminars and conferences related to Buddhist philosophy and practice. He also taught at Thubten Leksheyling Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Bangalore, Deer Park Institute in Bir, Pune in Maharashtra and Calicut in Kerala. Presently, he is a lecturer on Mahayana at Abiding Heart Education, Nepal.

Khenpo has also worked for the late His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and our senior Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche in translating their teachings from Tibetan to English. He has translated and published English books such as “How to Follow a Spiritual Master”, "The All-Pervading Melodious Sound of Thunder: The Outer Liberation Story of TertonMigyur Dorje" and “Drops of Nectar”. He also travels extensively with his teacher, Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche during his teaching tours around the world and gets the privilege to receive countless precious teachings, empowerments and instructions from Khenchen Rinpoche.

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Venerable

Phra Maha Keyrati Dhirapañño

Phramaha Keyrati Dhirapañño was born in Chonburi, Thailand, in 1967. He graduated as a medical student in Thailand at Chulalongkorn University with first class honor. After graduation, he continued with his medical studies from 1994 to 1997 in the American Board of Pediatrics from Children's Hospital of Michigan and Subboard Pediatric Endocrinology at Children's Hospital Center Cincinati.

During his time in the US, he found himself in a meditation retreat under the guidance of Ajahn Jayasaro, the Abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat ( International Forest Monaster). Through this retreat he realized that the monastic life is what he had been looking for. In 1998 he return to Thailand and went forth in Wat Nong Pa Pong in the Ajahn Chah’s Lineage Thai Forest Tradition.

At Present He graduated Grade 7th in Pali Parien Dham, studying Tipitaka 900 hrs and advance Pali course in Wat Jark Daeng.

He is currently the Vice Abbot of Wat Pah Boonlorm, Ubonrajjhathani

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Geshe

Ngawang Sonam

After doing his primary education, Geshe Ngawang Sonam joined Sera Monastic University in 1995 to devote his life to intensive study and practice of Buddhism. In 2008, he was selected by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to become one of the English translators for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Since then, he has accompanied His Holiness to various places in India and to around nine countries around the world.

Following his more than twenty years of intensive monastic studies on the five major treatises of Buddhism, and upon clearing all the six successive years of examination, in Jan 2019, he was formally conferred the highest degree of Geshe Lharampa [Traditional degree equivalent to PhD in Buddhism] by Gelugpa Monastic Seat of Learning [Gelugpa Monastic University].

In Nov. 2016, His Holiness the Dalai Lama called him to work in His Office, and presently he works there as a translator and a Buddhist scholar. Geshe Ngawang Sonam’s first book ‘In the Footsteps of Sidhartha’ was published in 2010. His translation of Shantideva’s work Bodhisattvacharyaavatara is going to print very soon. Alongside his office work, he also finds time to teach and attend conferences with modern scholars and scientists as a speaker.

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Venerable

Dr. Divulapelesse Wimalananda Thero

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Venerable

Prof Bhikshuni Chao-Hwei Shih

Ven Professor Shih Chao-hwei was born in Yangon City in Myanmar (Burma) in 1957. In 1965, she and her family moved to Taiwan. In 1978, aged 21, she declared her renunciation. In 1979, she graduated from National Taiwan Normal University.

She started to teach at Fu Jen Catholic University in February, 1994. In September, 1997, she also started teaching Religious Studies at Hsuan Chuang University, where she is currently a Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of this department. From 2010 to 2013, she was a dean in Faculty of Arts. Then she serves as the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences until now. In June, 2004, she founded the Research Centre for Applied Ethics (of which she is also currently the director). She is also the founder of the Graduate Institute of Hong Shih Buddhist College.

Chao-hwei had led a number of nation-wide social movements. Among them, the urge to make "Vesak Day a National Holiday" in 1999 was highly praised by both local and overseas Buddhists.

She is the founder of the Life Conservationist Association of the Republic of China, and served as its President from 1993 to 1999. With joint efforts, she has facilitated the legislation of “Wildlife Conservation Act” and “Animal Protection Act.” Adhering to the compassionate Buddhist spirit to care for all sentient beings, she has urged the public to stop the abuse and cruel treatment of animals in all possible occasions.

When the Legislature passed a bill allowing “economically disadvantaged regions” to legalize casinos, She was elected the Director of the Coalition Against Gambling in Taiwan and associated many NGOs to put up a strong resistance on this evil policy. At last she lead the Against Gambling movement and successfully won a referendum on whether or not to build casinos in Penghu Island On September 26, 2009.

She has also written many articles on environmental conservation, ecological protection, human rights protection, and issues concerning religion and politics. She voices her opinion from the Buddhist point of view, and publishes these articles in several major newspapers.

On the 31st of March 2001, she officially declared the "Abolishment of the Eight Precepts for Nuns (attha garu-dhamma)." This declaration aims to clarify that these precepts were not set by the Buddha himself. Anyone who wishes to follow and uphold the Buddha's teaching of equality should avoid abiding by these precepts, as they strongly discriminate against females.

Her recent comments in support of LGBT rights and Taiwan’s same-sex marriage equality bill have inspired many LGBTs in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 2012, she performed a Buddhist wedding ceremony for a lesbian couple, the first in World Buddhist’s history.

On the 4th of May 2007, she was awarded the 48th Chinese Literature and Arts Medal for her outstanding performance in cultural discussions. She was also awarded the International Outstanding Women in Buddhism Medal on March 6th, 2009.

Up to December, 2019, she has written and published 30 books, over 75 Journal papers, 112 Conference Papers and 21 Book Chapters. The books include: The Buddhist Ethics, A Contemporary Interpretation of the Buddha's Regulations (Vinaya), The Normative Ethics of Buddhism, The Meta Ethics of Buddhism, and The Historical Footsteps of the Practice of the Bodhisattva Path in the Human Form.

**For English reports on her support for social movements, please refer to the following two websites:

https://www.taiwangazette.org/news/2018/10/5/the-buddhist-nun-that-supports-same-sex-marriage

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Venerable

Dagpo Shabdrung Rinpoche

Ven Dagpo Shabdrung Rinpoche was born 1988 in Sikkim of North-East India. He was formally enthroned as the reincarnation of Shabdrung Kalsang Gyaltsen by His Holiness 41st Gongma Trichen Rinpocheon September 14th, 1999. On that occasion, he received the upasaka vow from His Holiness and was given the name Ngawang Kalsang Trinley Lhundup.

Following the advice of H.H Gongma Trichen Rinpoche and H.E. Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, Shabdrung Rinpoche stayed at the Jamchen Temple in Kathmandu for ritual training. In 2000, he met the H.H. the Dalai Lama from whom he again received the upasaka vow. Two years later, in 2002, he received the vows of novice monk from H.E. Chogye Trichen at Jamchen temple.In 2012, Shabdung Rinpoche obtained the vows of a fully-ordained monk from H.E. Lhuding Khenchen Rinpoche.

In 2003, Rinpoche joined the Sakya College of Higher buddhist studies in Rajpur to pursue higher literal and philosophical studies. After ten years of intense textual studies, he graduatedin 2013 with the degrees of Kachupa (equivalent to B.A) and Lopon (equivalent to M.A). During the 10 years studying at the Sakya College he mastered the full range of traditional subjects including Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Pramana, Vinaya, Abhidharma and Triple vow. Following his B.A graduation, Rinpoche served as one of the assistant teachers for two years in the College and he was appointed as a lecturer.

On 18 Dec 2018 Rinpoche was enthroned as Khenpo of Sakya College by H.H 42 Sakya Trizin. He has been teaching at Sakya College and has been a lecturer for the past 8 years. Rinpoche has been traveling aboard for teaching programs.

Dagpo Shabdrung Rinpoche holds important Sakya transmissions which he has received in oral-instruction from the leading lineage holders of the Sakya tradition, including H.H the 41st Sakya Trizin, H.H. Dagchen Jigdrel Rinpoche, H.E. Chogye Trichen, H.E. Luding Khen Rinpoche, Khenchen Appey and other masters as well. He has undertaken the preliminary practices and several retreats of seclusive practice. Apart from his lecturing at the Sakya college, Rinpoche frequently gives dharma teachings overseas and Rinpoche is a passionate vegetarian and a supporter of animal welfare.

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Venerable

Ru Xing

Academic Achievement學歷
Graduated from FoGuang Shan Tsung Lin English Buddhist College 2006.
2006年畢業於佛光山叢林學院英文佛學院

Experiences 曾任
Mentor in Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program (HBMLP) 2003.
2003年人間佛教國際青年生命禪學營引禮法師

Mentor of Short-Term Monastic Retreat hosted by FoGuang Shan Malaysia, 2006-2019.
2006 - 2019年擔任馬來西亞佛光山短期出家修道會引禮法師。

2006 - 2008 Administrator of educational and cultural department in FoGuang Shan Malaysia Petaling Jaya SS3 Branch.
2006 - 2008 年佛光文教中心社教策劃組

2008 - 2018 Monastic Advisor of FoGuang Response Team
2008 – 2018 年佛光救護隊輔導法師

2008 – 2018 Superintendent of FoGuang Shan Malaysia Petaling Jaya SS3 Branch.
2008 —2018年佛光文教中心監寺

Current Positions現任:
2019 – Present Vice Abbess of FoGuang Shan Malaysia Petaling Jaya SS3 Branch.
2019 – 至今佛光文教中心副住持

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Dr Bunchar Pongpanich

Dr. Bunchar Pongpanich is the direct disciple of Venerable Ajahn Buddhadasa during his years as a monk. He is currently the Managing Director of Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives (BIA). BIA foundation was established to collect and maintain the Dhamma teachings of Ajahn Buddhadasa and integrate the Buddhist teachings to the younger generations of audience both in practice and academic. In 2012, celebrating 2,600 years of Buddhajayanti Era, BIA under his management organised for a large group of Thai sangha, monks and lay people, to have the audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2012 in Delhi, India.

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Mr Mitruev Bembya

Name: Mitruev Bembya
Year of birth: 1977

Education:
1995-2003 - Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, Sarnath, Varanasi, India
Degree: B.A. Buddhology and Tibetology
2003-2005 - Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, Sarnath, Varanasi, India
Degree: M.A. Buddhology
2009-2013 – Faculty of Asian and African Studies, St Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia Petersburg
Specialty: Bachelor of Asian and African Studies
Tibeto-mongolian philology
2014-2016 – Faculty of Asian and African Studies, St Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia Petersburg
Specialty: Master of Asian and African Studies
Asian and African languages

Additional education:
September 2012 – May 2013 – Mongolian language study placement in School of Mongolia Language and Culture, NUM (National University of Mongolia)
October 2014 – July 2015 – Advanced training in «Synchronous interpretation», specialty: English, Synchronous interpretation

Employment History:
January 2005 – May 2006 – Translator and interpreter in Central Kalmyk Buddhist Monastery "Geden Sheddup Choi Korling", Elista, Kalmykia
May 2006 – September 2009 Head of Translation Department in Central Kalmyk Buddhist Monastery "Geden Sheddup Choi Korling", Elista, Kalmykia
February 2010 – November 2011 teaching associate in the Department of Manuscripts and Documents of Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, the Russian Academy of Science
September 2015 – November 2015 teaching associate – researcher in Institute of Philological Research, St Petersburg State University
August 2019 – till now researcher at the Kalmyk Institute for Humanities of the RAS, Elista, Russia

Skills and interests:
Fluent in Tibetan and English.
Mongolian and Hindi – basic communication skill.
Sanskrit, Chinese, German and Manju – basic knowledge.
Interest in Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan culture, Tibetan language, Mongolian culture, Mongolian language, Zhangznung language

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Venerable

Dr Dhammapala

Bhante Dhammapala was born in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. He was ordained as a Bhikkhu in 1994. He spent almost 20 years studying Buddhist Philosophy, Pali and Sanskrit literatures in Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. In 2009, he obtained his Doctorate of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies in The University of Hong Kong. His doctorate’s dissertation is “The Sarvastivāda Doctrine of the Path of Spiritual Progress: A Study based primarily on the Abhidharma-Mahāvibhāṣā-śāstra, the Abhidharmakośa-bhāṣya and their Chinese and Sanskrit Commentaries”.

Bhante has also completed MPhil thesis entitled “A Critical Study of the Doctrine of Anuśaya in Vasubandhu’s Abhidharmakośa- bhāṣya and Saṃghabhadra’s Nyāyānusāra” in 2003. Bhante produced several academic articles. They are: “A Study of the Sarvāstivāda Doctrine of the Three Types of Direct-Comprehension of Four Truths (abhisamaya)” was published in The International Journal of the Humanities. Another academic article was published in World Buddhist Forum, entitled “The Laukika agra-dharma: Significance and Key Attributes”.

Bhante presented a written paper and online presentation on “Bodhisatta Gotama’s Quest for Awakening and his Motivation” during the International Online Buddhist Forum on Bodhisattva held in November 2020. He also presented a paper on the subject “The Buddhist Cultivation of Compassion for the Attainment of Wisdom” at National Virtual Conference On Rahma And Karuna - Compassion As Common Ground For Building Understanding Between Islam And Buddhism, organized by International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization – International Islamic University Malaysia.

Services
After his graduation, he was appointed as Chief Editor and Spiritual Director for the Buddhistdoor website, which is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist websites in the world. In 2010-2013, he was the Visiting Assistant Professor at the Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong. He travelled frequently conducting meditation retreats, dhamma talks and Pali and Sanskrit workshops in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. He was a Founding Member and Deputy Secretary (2013-2018) of International Buddhist Confederation, India.

Return to Malaysia
Bhante returned to Malaysia in December 2013 and was invited by several Buddhist academic institutions and societies for teaching mission and dhamma missionary works. He was a Lecturer at the Malaysian Buddhist Academy, Kuala Lumpur, and a Lecturer at Buddhist & Pali University degree course conducted at Brickfield Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He also conducted many annual Novitiate Programmes in Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Penang, and in Amata Dhamma Centre, Melaka for the past 20 years.

Currently, he is the Founder and Abbot of Brahmavihara Monastery and Retreat Centre in Melaka, the Abbot of Bodhivana Monastery in Sungai Pelek, and the Abbot of The Centre of Mindfulness in Hong Kong, and the Course Director of Theravāda Academy, established in Brahmavihara Monastery & Retreat Centre.

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Venerable

Dhammadipa Tomas

Venerable Dhammadipa (lay name Thomas Peter Gutman) was born in Czechoslovakia in 1949. He studied Chinese Literature and Philosophy at Prague Karl University, graduating in 1969, and then studied Russian literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he received a degree in 1973. In the late seventies Venerable began his Buddhist studies in Berlin, where he had immigrated as a refugee after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. In 1977 he received a master's degree in Chinese literature and philosophy at the University of Paris. In 1979, he enrolled at Nalanda University in India (where he also taught French and German) to study Sanskrit and Buddhist Philosophy. After receiving a degree at Nalanda in 1984, he returned to serve as the Associate Librarian at Berlin University.

In 1986, Venerable Dhammadipa went to Japan and studied under Zen Master Harada Serrei Roshi of the Caodong school practice. He was given a Dharma name as Xing-Kong (meaning Nature of Emptiness).

In 1987, with the encouragement of Venerable Athurugiriye Nyanavimala Mahathera, Venerable Wijayasoma Mahathera, and Venerable Dikwelle Mahinda, he ordained as a monk in Meetirigala and was given a Dharma name as Dhammadipa (island of Buddhism or Dharma). He received the full Theravada Bhiksu ordination in Sri Lanka (1987) where he practiced meditation under the guidance of his preceptor, Venerable Nanarama Mahathera. In 1989, he received the Three Fold ordination as a Mahayana Monk in Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles and began Dharma teaching in US, Germany and Taiwan.

In 1996, Venerable went to Myanmar to practice meditation with the contemporary master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, and was recognized by the Sayadaw to be fifirst of the Sayadaw's Western disciples qualifified to teach meditation. He has since been teaching Samatha (tranquil mental states) and Vipassana (direct seeing of the Dharma) meditation at monasteries and universities worldwide.

Venerable Dhammadipa speaks Czech, French, German, English, Russian, and fluent Chinese. He reads and translates Buddhist texts from Pali and Sanskrit. His translated works in French and Czeck include Treatise on the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana (Mahayanasraddhotpada-sastra), Entry into the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhicaryavatara) and a Collection of Han San's Poems. His teachings in Taiwan have been compiled and printed in Chinese.

Over the years Venerable has presented dharma teachings and led meditation retreats around Europe, North America, Taiwan and mainland China, India and Southeast Asia. Personally he has a gentle and easy going manner. His teaching follows the framework of the classic Theravada Buddhist commentary The Path of Purity (Pali: Visuddhimagga) while also combining with Full knowledge of Mahayana/Sanskrit tradition Teachings : one starts with training in the precepts (virtue) which lays the foundation for training in concentration and then the development of wisdom. Venerable teaches that knowledge of the Buddhist way should be applied in practice and verifified fifirst hand through direct experience. One should make a great vow to tread the way and realize the dharma for the benefifit of all sentient beings.

Venerable Dhammadipa is a rare gem in contemporary Buddhism.

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Venerable

Yongey Mingur Rinpoche

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a Tibetan teacher and master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. He has authored two best-selling books and oversees the Tergar Meditation Community, an international network of Buddhist meditation centers.

Mingyur Rinpoche was born in Nepal in 1975 the youngest of four brothers. His mother is Sönam Chödrön, a descendant of the two Tibetan kings Songtsen Gampo and Trisong Deutsen. His brothers are Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, and Tsoknyi Rinpoche and his nephews are Phakchok Rinpoche and the reincarnation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, known popularly as Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche. From the age of nine, his father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, taught him meditation, passing on to him the most essential instructions of the Dzogchen and Mahamudra traditions.

At the age of eleven, Mingyur Rinpoche began studies at Sherab Ling Monastery in northern India, the seat of Tai Situ Rinpoche. Two years later, Mingyur Rinpoche began a traditional three-year retreat at Sherab Ling. At the age of nineteen, he enrolled at Dzongsar Institute, where, under the tutelage of the renowned Khenpo Kunga Wangchuk, he studied the primary topics of the Buddhist academic tradition, including Middle Way philosophy and Buddhist logic. At age twenty, Mingyur Rinpoche became the functioning abbot of Sherab Ling. At twenty-three, he received full monastic ordination. During this time, Mingyur Rinpoche received important Dzogchen transmissions from Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.

In 2007, Mingyur Rinpoche completed the construction of Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya, India, which will serve large numbers of people attending Buddhist events at this sacred pilgrimage site, serve as an annual site for month-long Karma Kagyu scholastic debates, and serve as an international study institute for the Sangha and laity. The institute will also have a medical clinic for local people.

Mingyur Rinpoche has overseen the Kathmandu Tergar Osel Ling Monastery, founded by his father, since 2010. He also opened a shedra (monastic college) at the monastery.

In June 2011, Mingyur Rinpoche left his monastery in Bodhgaya to begin a period of extended retreat. Rinpoche left in the middle of the night, taking nothing with him, but leaving a farewell letter. He spent four years as a wandering yogi.

During the first few weeks of this retreat, Rinpoche had a near-death experience, likely due to a severe form of botulism. This may have been the result of choosing to eat only the meals that were free and available to him after allowing himself to run out of money. The near-death experience, according to Rinpoche, was one of the most pivotal and transformative experiences of his life. After continuing with his retreat for four years, he later returned to his position as abbot.

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Venerable

Prof Rangama Chandawimala

Ven. Dr. R. Chandawimala Thero is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who received higher ordination in 1989. He graduated from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, in Buddhist Philosophy (Hon) in 1994 and obtained M.A. from the same University in 1997. As a trained teacher he received PG Dip in Education from the University of Colombo. He also received M.A. and PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Hong Kong in 2003 and 2008 respectively. Currently he is serving as an Associate Professor at Buddhist College of Singapore, at KMSPKS Monastery. His field of interest covers Early Buddhism, Buddhist Philosophy and Buddhist history. His latest publication is “Heterodox Buddhism: The School of Abhayagiri”.

URL – www.bcs.edu.sg

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Venerable

Achalo

Venerable Achalo was born in Australia in 1972 and went forth as a bhikkhu at Wat Nong Pah Pong under Ajahn Chah tradition, in Ubon Rachathani province, Northeast Thailand in July 1997. His teachers include Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Anan and Ajahn Jayasaro. He currently lives at Anandagiri Forest Monastery in Petchabun province in Northern Thailand.

Ven. Achalo had attended HH Dalai Lama's teaching 15 times. In California, Australia, Bodhgaya India and other places.

“I met His Holiness without planning in advance, believing that there must be a previous deeds related to the past. After the 8th or 10th year since I have studied and practiced according to the teachings of Theravada in the forest temple of Ajahn Chah’s tradition, I still want to study and compare the teachings of Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. I went to listen to the Dalai Lama's 10-day teaching in the south of India, spending 6 weeks to learn more. The fact that I am interested in studying the teachings of Mahayana or Vajrayana does not mean that the teachings of Theravada are incomplete or inadequate. As a scholar in each field of study must have a comprehensive knowledge of the area in which he is studying, so I would like to study the teachings and practices of other traditions as well. In recent years, the Dalai Lama visited Australia more often, and I had to return to Australia more often to visit my aging parents. Each trip, I would arrange my visit close to the Dalai Lama's teaching so that I will have the opportunity to attend his sermons. I had attended 7 teachings in Australia and His Holiness’s had invited me to give the auspicious prayer chant at the opening ceremony. I had led meditation sessions before His Holiness’s teachings and participated in discussion questions and answers on Dharma topics as representative of the Theravada monastics. His Holiness warmly greeted me and used to hold my hand and called me "old friend" ("Ahh my old friend, my long-time friend”) It was my great honour.

From studying the teachings of Mahayana and Vajrayana traditoins, I unexpectedly gained a lot more Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian, Chinese followers who were interested in the teachings of Theravada Buddhism. Having some knowledge and understanding of Mahayana teachings can be of great help in explaining and linking the Theravada and Mahayana teachings. It is a great thing to be able to share these wisdom. I am grateful for my good fortune that I met His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his teachings in this life and respects him as my Guru, father and mother.”

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Dr Ng Wai Chong

Dr Ng is the Vice President of Cakkavala Meditation Centre, a civil society registered in Singapore in 1999 to support the Dhamma propagation work of Sayalay Dipankara. He is also the Vice President of Happy Village, a society set up to build a self- and mutual-care community that supports Dhamma practice as one ages through the life course. Dr Ng is the Medical Advisor of Araniya Sangha Dāna Fellowship and the BuddhistYouth Network (BYN). The former is a registered society that coordinates the support of Sangha members who reside in the urban residential heartlands of Singapore; while the latter focuses on the development of the Buddhist youth. Partnering BYN, Dr Ng started and donated to a grant - ‘Bodhi Seed Fund’, that provides annual seed-funding for innovative community outreach projects and services.

Over the years, Dr Ng has been active in supporting overseas humanitarian missions, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist. Most notably, he volunteered in the late nineties for 3 consecutive years to help with the development of the Medical Centre in Hunsur, Karnataka, India, a village of Tibetan refugees.

Dr Ng shares the Dhamma regularly at the invitation of many lay-Buddhist organizations in Singapore, particularly the Medical Dhamma Circle, a gathering of Buddhist medical students, doctors as well as associates in the University.

While he learnt the Dhamma from many teachers since his medical school days in the late 80’s, Dr Ng really started formal meditation training in 1999, where he learnt from Venerable Kai-En (Penang, Malaysia) and the late Venerable Vajiradhamma of Bhaddekaratta Hermitage (Batu Pahat, Malaysia).

In year 2000, after having the opportunity to meet and care for the Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw, who was very sick and requiring medical treatment in Singapore, Dr Ng learnt meditation from Sayadawji directly by taking month-long sabbatical every year to go to Pa Auk Forest Monastery in Mawlamyine, Myanmar, where he had meditation interviews with Sayadawji, Sayadaw U Revata and Sayalay Dipankara on various occasions. In 2006, when Brahma Vihāri Meditation Centre (Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar) was (almost) completed, Dr Ng took a 6 months sabbatical to learn from Sayalay Dipankara as the first batch of students attending meditation retreat there. At the end of the retreat, Dr Ng completed the Samatha syllabus, the rupa- and nama-kammatthāna, and started on the training of discerning the 12 links of Dependent Origination. Since then, Dr Ng regularly attends retreats under the guidance of Sayalay Dipankara, practicing Samatha and Vipassana.

Professionally, Dr Ng has been a community aged-care physician for over 20 years, leading a team of nurses and social workers to organize and provide care for vulnerable seniors and their caregivers under a renowned NGO in Singapore. Currently, he is Founder and CEO of NWC Longevity Practice, a platform which he uses to develop a sustainable, equitable and person-centred care eco-system for Singapore and the region. (See https://nwclongevity.com)

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Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

Professor Asanga Tilakaratne (PhD University of Hawai’i) is emeritus professor of Buddhist Studies and founder head of the Department of Buddhist Studies at University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and former director of Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya.

Professor Tilakaratne has taught in many universities in different parts of the world, and has published, in Sinhala and English, on Buddhist studies. Recently (August 2020) his collected works have been published in eight volumes (03 in Sinhala and 05 in English) by Sarasavi Publishers, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. In 2003 he founded Damrivi Foundation for spiritual, social and economic development, a not for profit organization and continues to function as its chairman.

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Venerable

Anil Sakya

Phra Anil Sakya, a direct descendant of the Lord Buddha’s Nepalese Sakya clan, is an internationally renowned as both an academic and as a Buddhist monk.

Phra Anil Sakya holds a

• Bachelor Degree in Religious Studies from Mahamakut Buddhist University (Thailand)
• Masters Degree in Anthropology from Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
• Masters Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Christ College, University of Cambridge.
• He has also received a scholarship from HM King Bhumibol of Thailand to complete a PhD. in Sociology and Anthropology from Brunel University (England).
• He is currently the Rector (Honorary) of the World Buddhist University

After ordaining as a novice monk in Nepal and studying Dhamma at Bowonniwet Vihara Temple (Bangkok), Anil Sakya was fully ordained by the late His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand in 1980.

Thereafter, Phra Anil Sakya was appointed as a Deputy Secretary to the Supreme Patriarch and to the Vice Chancellor of the Foreign Affairs Department, Mahamakut Buddhist University (Bangkok).

Phra Anil Sakya is currently Vice Dean and Lecturer at the Faculty of Sociology, Mahamakut Buddhist University (Thailand), and a Visiting Fellow at the College of Religious Studies, Kasetsart University (Bangkok); Santa Clara University (USA); and the University of Oxford.

In addition to these roles, he is a Director of Paendin Dhamma Foundation under the Patronage of the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, and he serves as an academic advisor to the Paccaya Foundation. He has written, presented and published numerous books, articles and conference papers both on the fifields of Buddhism and Anthropology. He has beenwidely participating in several international Buddhist, Inter religious and ‐ Anthropologist conferences and has also been playing a key role in organizing many international Buddhist conferences and international events. Currently, he is residing at the royal monastery of Wat Bovoranives Vihara in Bangkok and working in various capacities, including as a visiting professor in several Thai and foreign universities.

In 2012, A large group of Thai Monastics had a Meeting and Dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Delhi, “Buddhism in the Post - Buddhajayanti Era” 15-16 December 2012 in which Venerable Dr. Phra Anil Sakya offificially presented the opening speech from His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand and also participated in dialogue with His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

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Venerable

Thầy Pháp Ấn

Buddhist monk Venerable Thầy Pháp Ấn is Director and Dean of Studies at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB), which he helped to establish in 2008 in the northwest German town of Waldbröl.

He is an elder disciple of the Vietnamese Zen Master and peace activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, who created the Buddhist Order of Interbeing in Vietnam in 1966 and, in 1982, co-founded the Plum Village Mindfulness Practice Centre in southwestern France.

Vietnamese-born Thầy Pháp Ấn settled in the United States as a teenager. While a high school student in Texas, he excelled in mathematics, winning numerous national prizes. After graduating in 1985 with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin as a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, he pursued further studies at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he was awarded a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1989 and a PhD in Applied Mathematics in 1991.

As Dr Thu Phạm, he was a Research Fellow at ARCO Oil and Gas Research Center in Plano, Texas. He also worked as a postdoctoral research assistant in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

In 1992, he entered monastic life at Plum Village. He was fully ordained as a monk two years later by the Zen Master who, in 1999, transmitted to Thầy Pháp Ấn the “Dharma Lamp” of a teacher in the Plum Village Tradition.

For more than 20 years Thầy Pháp Ấn has travelled widely, assisting the Zen Master with retreats and leading retreats in many parts of the world. He helped negotiate with the Vietnamese government for the Zen Master’s return – after some four decades in exile – for teaching trips in 2005, 2007, that included ceremonies to heal the wounds of the Vietnam War and 2008, that included the participation in the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations in Ha Noi.

Among Thầy Pháp Ấn’s research interests in Buddhism and related fields are integrative medicine, neuroscience and social psychology. The programs he oversees at EIAB fully integrate the study of Buddhist texts with their practical application in everyday life to help reduce stress, release tension and support well-being, happiness and peace at every level, echoing the Zen Master’s words “peace in oneself, peace in the world”. Thầy Pháp Ấn also studies, practices and enjoys sharing Qigong and different forms of Tai Chi.

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Venerable

Kudakathnoruwe Vineetha Thero

Ven. Kudakathnoruwe Vineetha is a senior lecturer in Buddhist Philosophy attached to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. He is a First Class honours graduate in Buddhist Philosophy and he was awarded a Masters of Philosophy (Mphil) and Master of Arts (MA) in Buddhist Philosophy Degree for his intensive research on Buddhist perspective on Disaster Prevention.

His research interest in Buddhist studies derives from his longtime experience in teaching and research in Buddhist studies. The current research interest of Ven. Vineetha is on Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism and engaged Buddhism. He already has several publications in referred journals, edited volumes and conference proceedings. His career has an extensive reach and diversity in terms of teaching, research, consultation and administration.

He is available at kathnoruwe@sjp.ac.lk or +94714149688

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Venerable

Aggacitta

Āyasmā Aggacitta is a Malaysian bhikkhu ordained at the age of 25 by Bhaddanta Mahasi Sayadaw in Rangoon in 1979. He trained under Sayadaws U Paṇḍita, U Tissara (Yankin Forest Monastery), U Āciṇṇa (Pa Auk) and U Tejaniya (Shwe Oo Min).

Besides practising meditation, he studied advanced Pāli grammar under Sayadaw U Dhammananda at Wat Tamaoh, Thailand, and the Pāli Tipiṭaka in Myanmar, researching on its interpretation and practice until his return to Malaysia at the end of 1994.

After a four-year solitary meditation retreat in Sarawak, he returned to West Malaysia in 1998 and since then has been investigating popular interpretations and practices of Buddhism in the light of the Pāli scriptures, real life experiences and contemporary research findings. Using a critical yet constructive approach, he shares his findings with others to bring them closer to practical reality via his writings, sutta study with meditation workshops, meditation retreats and mindful hiking retreats.

He is dedicated to teaching the full spectrum of mindfulness, of which "present-moment awareness" constitutes only one aspect. His teachings, which have been described by his students as "structured and easily understood", are always oriented towards practical application in daily life.

In 2000, he founded Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) near Taiping, Perak, Malaysia.

In 2012, Āyasmā Aggacitta Mahāthera was invited by the Theravāda Buddhist Council of Malaysia to be one of the founding members of its Monastic Advisory Panel.

His Dhamma resources can be found in:

• http://sasanarakkha.org
• satipatthanasbs.com
• soundcloud/sasanarakkha
• Sutta Workshops by Ayasma Aggacitta (YouTube)

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Venerable

Shi Chuan Guan

Venerable Chuan Guan was ordained under Master Miu King (Master Miao Jing 妙境長老) in 2002 (higher ordination in 2003) and began his monastic training in Fa Yun Monastery (New Mexico, United States). He learned the sutras and practised meditation under the Mahayana Buddhist tradition while studying the Theravadin Pali Canon.

2006 to 2016, he trained and served as resident monk in the Buddhist Library and various Buddhist centres. He currently teaches in various Buddhist societies and conducts retreats while providing counseling and spiritual services.

He is the Spiritual Advisor to the following organisations:

• Little Dharma Works
• Dharma School of Singapore Buddhist Youth Mission 新加坡青年弘法团 周日班
• NTU Buddhist Society
• NUS Buddhist Society

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Venerable

Prof Tashi Tsering

Ven. Prof. Tashi Tsering was born in Tibet in 1959 and arrived in India in 1961. He received his basic education at CST, Bylakuppe, Mysore. Shastri, Acharya and Ph.D. from CIHTS, Varanasi. He also studied at the Sakya College, Dehradun and Zongsar Institute, Kangra. Teaching at CIHTS, Varanasi since 1989.

Ven. Prof. Tashi Tsering has been a visiting Professor to teach at Five Colleges, Massachusetts, USA, for two semesters; at International Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies, Huttenberg, Austria, for three semesters; and Go-unsa Avatamsaka Post Graduate University, South Korea, for three semesters. He has also visited Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia for Dharma activities, seminars and academic purposes.

To date, he has twenty two publications.

At present he is a Professor in Sakya Buddhist Philosophy, Head of the Department of Four Tibetan Buddhist Schools, Librarian, Chief Coordinator of Academic Exchange Program with Five College, Massachusetts, USA, Tasmania and Deakin University, Australia, Uberoi Teachers Training Program alias Uberoi Foundation for Religious Studies in India, Loyola Marymount University, USA and so forth.

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Prof Geshe

Ngawang Samten

Born on July 7, 1956 at Dokhar in Central Tibet, Professor Geshe Ngawang Samten came to India along with his parents after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959. He studied at the Central School for Tibetans in Chandragiri, Orissa, and thereafter at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarnath.

He possesses a rare combination of education on modern lines as well as the Tibetan monastic system. He obtained Geshe Lharampa degree, from Gaden Shartse monastery, equivalent to Ph.D. degree in the modern system.

As a result of his outstanding achievement in the field of research, he was promoted to the position of Professor of Buddhist Philosophy. He is also actively engaged in Hindi translations of Buddhist texts in Sanskrit and Tibetan. Professor Samten, with his special interest in the philosophy of Nagarjuna, published the definitive critical edition of the Ratnavali with its commentary as the result of his post-graduate research. He is credited with important publications, such as a critical edition of Abhidhammattha Samgaho, a critical edition of Sanskrit and Tibetan versions of the Pindikrita and the Pancakrama of Nagarjuna, and co-authored The Ocean of Reasoning, an annotated English translation of the commentary on Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamaka Karika by the Tibetan master thinker Tson-Kha-Pa, published by Oxford University Press. The Ocean of Reasoning is acclaimed far and wide.

He has contributed to the improvement of academic standards at CIHTS, particularly through teaching and research. He is instrumental in promoting Buddhist Studies in India. A number of Indian universities have greatly been benefited by his scholarship and insight in formulating courses and initiating Buddhist studies. He strongly advocates to make the education system instrumental in transforming the students through inculcation of value along with development of skills in various fields.

He frequently travels across the continents lecturing to academic audiences in the United States, Europe, Australia, Russia, some of the Asian countries and as well in India. He has been in action at various national and international seminars, workshops and conferences. He has held Visiting Professorship at Hampshire, Amherst and Smith Colleges in the USA and at the University of Tasmania in Australia.

In virtue of his sagacity and wisdom, Professor Samten has been on numerous academic bodies of Universities and expert committees of the Ministries of Government of India, and as a member on the boards of several Institutes in USA, Canada, Thailand, France and Austria. He has also served in the Editorial Board of International Association of Tibetan Studies in Harvard. He has been the Vice President of Association of Indian Universities, and has served chairman/member of various expert committees constituted by the University Grant Commission of India.

In 2009, he has been awarded Padma Shri (one of the country’s highest civilian awards) by the President of India for his distinguished services in the field of education and literature.

In 2016, he has been awarded Vesak Samman by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding lifelong achievement in the fields preservation, development and promotion of Indian philosophy, arts and culture within and outside India, as well as his lifelong services towards dissemination of Buddhist studies and establishment of academic institutions.

He is currently the Vice-Chancellor of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi.

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Venerable

B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera

Ven. B. Sri Saranankara was born in year 1953. In year 1965, he became novice Buddhist monk under the mentorship of Ven. Sumanjothi Maha Thera and received the Higher Ordination at the age of 22 at Malwatta Chapter, Kandy. He obtained “Diploma in Buddhist Philosophy” from the Vidyodaya Buddhist Institution, Sri Lanka.

In year 1984, Venerable arrived at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of the Sri Jayanti Association to be the resident monk, where he oversaw the transformation of the temple from an old tattered look to an attractive Buddhist temple with Sri Lankan traditional architecture. As the new abbot, he had built the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Sentul into an important monastery today with many resident Bhikkhus. Over the past more than 3 decades, he has been working energetically to fulfil the spiritual and religious needs of Buddhists throughout the country. He too, has been working tirelessly in promoting the welfare of Malaysian people and in cultivating the spirit of social service and unity amongst Buddhists.

He started the free clinic, free tuition classes and the Metta home for homeless elderly through Sri Jayanti Welfare Organization (SJWO), which was an organization he formed in 1991. To ensure that the spiritual and welfare program could benefit a larger section of the Malaysian community, he later initiated “Maha Karuna Buddhist Society (MKBS)” in the year 2001. Since the day of its establishment, MKBS has been playing a leading role in helping people in Malaysia and overseas, covering almost all aspects of the charity service under his patronage. In 2003, he established the Maha Karuna Compassionate Home, which is a senior citizen home. In 2006, Maha Karuna Foundation was formed to serve the needy in Malaysia irrespective of ethnic and religious belief. The charitable activities of Maha Karuna Foundation are including provision to needy students, free medical aid, aid provision to senior citizen and disabilities group, too, financial aids to the needy.

In addition to these works, Ven. B. Sri Saranankara had also been instrumental in establishing many other Buddhist Societies in Malaysia and overseas, notably the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society, Maha Karuna Foundation, Kinrara Metta Buddhist Society, Mudita Buddhist Society, Upekkha Compassionate Home, and Sungai Long Buddhist Society. Venerable B. Sri Saranankara is also the Spiritual Advisor to many Buddhist Societies throughout Malaysia and Sri Lanka, i.e Religious Patrons of Young Buddhist Association Malaysia and Spiritual Advisor to Theravada Buddhist Council Malaysia, Founder and Spiritual Advisor of the Sri Saranankara Foundation, President of Bootawatte Saranankara Thero Trust Fund.

Other great initiatives incepted by him to serve the Buddhist community in Malaysia and overseas includes Monks and Nuns Education Funds, Young Buddhist Novitiate Training Program, Adult Novitiate Training Program, undertaking reconstruction or establishing education centres, schools, library, clinics, Buddhist Temple, aids provision to natural disaster victims, donation of medical equipment to hospitals such as dialysis machine, X-Ray Machine and PCR System Comprising of Trulab Device.

In Year 2007, Ven. B. Sri Saranankara became the joint-organising chairperson of Buddhist Culture and Arts Festival (BCAF 2007) – first ever grand Buddhist event in Malaysia history participated by 50 Buddhist societies in Malaysia representing Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions.

In recognition of his contributions to the development of Malaysian Buddhist movement, the Malwatte Chapter of the Syamupali in Kandy, Sri Lanka, conferred upon Ven. B. Sri Saranankara the title of “Adhikarana Sangha Nāyaka” in 2008. He was honoured by the Supreme Council of the Maha Sangha of Malwattha Chapter , Kandy, Sri Lanka by conferring the title “Sangha Keerthi Sri” in 2017.

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Her Eminence Mindrolling

Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche

Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is the eldest daughter of the late His Holiness Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Rinpoche, the 11th throne holder of the Mindrolling lineage, which has throughout its unique history had many accomplished and inspirational female masters known as the Minling Jetsuns. Rinpoche was also recognized by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa as the reincarnation of the Great Dakini of Tsurphu, Khandro Ugyen Tsomo, a respected and revered female master of her time. Thus, Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is a holder of both the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, is widely renowned and has been teaching throughout the world for almost 30 years, while remaining actively involved in the administration of the Mindrolling Monastery in India. Rinpoche, along with her sister, Mindrolling Jetsün Dechen Paldr n founded Samten Tse Nunnery and Retreat Centre in India in 1993, a retreat place for nuns and western lay practitioners. Together they also established the Dharmashri Foundation, which aspires to preserve and translate some of the most important works of Tibet’s Nyingma lineage. In 2003, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche established the North American seat of Mindrolling International, Mindrolling Lotus Garden Retreat Centre in Stanley, VA, USA. Rinpoche also initiated Mindrolling Charitable Society which has been providing support and assistance to numerous charitable projects. Most recently, Rinpoche also launched the Mindrol Lekshey Training Program, with the aim to provide traditional training and education in classical Tibetan Buddhist disciplines to dedicated lay practitioners from all over the world.

In addition, Rinpoche oversees numerous city centres and associations in Europe, including Samten Tse groups in France, Germany, Greece, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Spain. Mindrol Ösel Ling Centre was established in Chicago, USA, and in Greece, Rigdzin Gatsal Retreat Centre, is currently under construction.

Rinpoche’s first book, This Precious Life is available through Shambhala Publications. The full scope of Rinpoche’s teaching and charitable activities, as well as audio and print versions of select teachings can be seen on the website https://www.khandrorinpoche.org.

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Prof Wei Jien Teng

Professor Weijen Teng is currently teaching at Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, Taiwan, and serves as the Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies.

He completed his BA degree in Pali and Theravada Buddhism at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, MA in Sanskrit at University of Poona, India. He then enrolled in another MA program in Religious Studies at University of Chicago, and lastly received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies at Harvard University.

Prof. Teng’s research interests include Buddhist Theory of Mind and Meditation, Intellectual History of Chinese Buddhism, and more recently Buddhism and modernity.

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Dr. Santacitto

Venerable Dr. Santacitto is from Indonesia. He was ordained as Buddhist novice (sāmaṇera) on November 2000 under the Sangha Theravāda of Indonesia and decided to take higher ordination as a bhikkhu on January 2015. At the beginning of 2004, he went to Sri Lanka to pursue his study on Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka and completed his Bachelor of Arts on 2008 with distinction. Thereafter he continued his study for Master of Arts and proceeded for his Ph.D at the same university, and was admitted to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy on 2013.

At present, he is entrusted to be the Head of Kertarajasa Buddhist College Batu, Indonesia. He engages in various academic and religious seminars both national as well as international. He also often conducts retreat meditation in many places of Indonesia.

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Telo Tulku Rinpoche

Telo Tulku Rinpoche was born on October 27, 1972 to a Kalmyk family in the United States. As a 4-year-old boy, he expressed his wish to be a Buddhist monk. At the age of 6, in 1979, he got a chance to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV in New York who recommended sending him to Drepung Gomang Monastery in India to get proper training as a Buddhist monk. He spent 13 years in Drepung Gomang studying Buddhist philosophy under the guidance of illustrious Tibetan masters. In the late 1980s, while studying in the monastery, he was recognized as a new reincarnation (tulku) of Tilopa, a great Indian saint.

In 1991 the young monk came to his ancestors’ motherland – Kalmykia. He was among the delegation which accompanied His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV during His first visit to Russia. Shortly afterwards, in 1992, Telo Rinpoche was elected as the Shadjin Lama (Head Lama) of Kalmykia by the Kalmyk people and was entrusted to lead the process of spiritual restoration of one of the three Buddhist regions in Russia, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Being the President of the Buddhist Union of Kalmykia he has supervised and helped to rebuild and construct over 37 Buddhist temples and 120 stupas, including the main temple in the capital city, the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni, which is the biggest Buddhist temple in Russia and Europe. What is more, he has dispatched dozens of young Kalmyk men to India for formal monastic training. Telo Rinpoche’s efforts are about preserving the Kalmyk Buddhist mentality and culture along with basic secular human ethics like compassion, love, kindness and non-violence.

Over the years, he made special efforts to strengthen religious and cultural ties between traditional Buddhists in Russia and Tibetan community led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 2007 he initiated the first ever Mongolian and Russian Buddhist Festival that was successfully held in Dharamsala (India). In 2007 Naropa Tilopa Buddhist Center in Mongolia requested Telo Tulku Rinpoche to supervise the revival of Naropanchen Monastery that he had led in his previous reincarnation. Telo Rinpoche now visits Mongolia on a regular basis and helps to promote a religious exchange between Mongolia and the Dalai Lama's institutions.

Telo Rinpoche’s activities are directed towards the revival of Buddhism. His energy, purposefulness and goodwill help people understand and grasp wisdom of Buddhist philosophy. Telo Tulku Rinpoche regularly gives teachings and talks for the general public and young people in Kalmykia, Moscow, Mongolia, India, USA and other countries. He has recently given lectures at Stanford University and gave a detailed account on the revival of Buddhism in Kalmykia in the post–Soviet–Union period. His multiple articles and talks have been published in various academic journals.

Telo Tulku Rinpoche has initiated international events and projects that involve participation of scholars and monks not only from Russia, but from Mongolia, India, USA, Thailand, Sri Lanka etc. A number of events were organized together with representatives of monastic community of Sri Lanka. In 2011 the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Russia came to Kalmykia to give the holy Buddhist relics as a present for the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni monastery.

Being the Shadjin Lama (Head Lama) of Kalmykia he makes a great contribution towards strengthening the intercultural and interfaith dialogue in the republic.

In 2014 Telo Tulku Rinpoche was appointed as the new Honorary Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Russia, Mongolia and CIS countries at the Tibet Culture & Information Centre (Office of Tibet) in Moscow, Russia.

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