IBC and WBU International Conference

On December 15, 2013 at Viengtai Hotel, Bangkok. The World Buddhist University (WBU) and the International Buddhist College (IBC) jointly organized an international conference to commemorate centenary of the Thai Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara on “Buddhist Studies in Contemporary World”. Around 150 participants attended the conference.

The conference began with the opening address by Professor Noranit Setabutr, the rector of WBU and was followed by the keynote speech of Professor Charles Willemen, the Rector of IBC on the topic “Buddhist Studies in Contemporary World”. Professor Emeritus Fritz Wallner from University of Vienna and Dr. Tavivat Puntarigavivat, the Director of WBU Institute of Research and Development, delivered their plenary speeches on “Constructive Realism: A Bridge between Western Thinking and Buddhism” and “Theravada and Mahayana: Theory of Human Nature” respectively.

In the afternoon session, the conference has been divided into four separate rooms with 4 academic paper presented in each room:

Theme A: Buddhism, Texts, and Doctrines

  • Sarvāstivāda in China by Prof. Charles Willemen (Rector, IBC)
  • Woman and Sāvaka Buddha in Theravāda Buddhism and Mahāyāna View on the Šrāvaka-yāna by Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam (Dean of Graduate School, IBC)
  • A Translation of Nāgārjuna’s Praise to the Buddha through His Twelve Deeds (with Power Point presentation of the Twelve Deeds) by Prof. Lozang Jamspal, (Professor, IBC)
  • The Danger in Other’s Territory (paravisaya): The Hawk and the Monkey Similes in the Saṃyutta Nikāya by Bhikkhu Sajal Barua (Teaching Assistant, IBC; Ph.D. student Mahidol University)

Theme B: Buddhism, Liberation, and Socio-Economics

  • The Schopenhauer Cure and the Four Noble Truths: A Comparative Study of Schopenhauer & Buddha Perspectives on Human Liberation by Ven. Dr. Naw Kham La Dhammasami (MCU)
  • Buddhist Sustainable Development through Inner Happiness by Dr. Sauwalak Kittiprapas (Director, IRAH, Thailand)
  • Buddhist Spiritual Tourism: A Case Study of Sikkim by Sangmu Thendup (Assistant Professor, Sikkhim University, India)
  • Buddhist Perspective on the Alleviation of Poverty by Phyu Mar Lwin (M.A. student, ITBM University, Myanmar)

Theme C: Buddhism, Meditation, and Psychology

  • Teaching Meditation in the Present China: Chan or Vipassanā by Dr. Fa Qing (Director of Library & ICT, IBC)
  • Buddhist Psychotherapy: Healing and Transcending the Self by Soong Wei Yean (Teaching Assistant, IBC)
  • Healing Anger, Cultivating Smiles: A Need for a Contemporary World by Madan Nakarmi (Amajika Institute, Nepal)
  • A Comparison of Psychological and Physical Health Outcomes between Buddhist Mindfulness Meditators and Non-Meditators by Chuan Ann Teo (M.A.student, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)

Theme D: Buddhism in Asia

  • Chinese Buddhism in Southern Thailand: Its roots and Influence by Assist. Prof. Dr. Porntipha Bantomsin (Srinakharinwirot University)
  • The Roles of Buddhist Examination Syndicate in the Development of Malaysian Buddhism by Tan Jee Peng (Alumni, IBC)
  • The Development of Buddhist Education in Penang, Malaysia 1930-1970 by Shi Zhen Yuan (Ph.D. candidate, IBC)
  • The Early Phase of Both Intra National in Particular International Geographical Entities as Depicted in the Canonical and Its Expositional Materials by R.M.S.K Rajapaksha (M.A., Researcher)

Theme E: Buddhism, Society, and Modernity

  • Need of Buddhist Education in 21st Century by Dr. Gurmet Dorjey (Assistant Professor, Gautam Buddha University, India)
  • World Peace and the Goals of Buddhists by Rev. Mangala Pirya Sraman (M.A. student, MCU)
  • Role of a Young Monastic Member in Modern Society by Ven. Yaopingliu (M.A. student, IBC)
  • Examining Cultural Events in the Early Indian Society through the Idea of Visūka-dassna by Ven. Dr. Divulapelesse Wimalananda, (Researcher)

The conference adjourned at 5.00 pm, when Ven. Wei Wu, the Council Chairman of IBC delivered his closing speech and a group photo was taken.

Taxonomy: 
academic