Questions and Answers by Professor Kapila

1. Please tell us more about yourself.
I am from Sri Lanka. Prior to join IBC, I was serving as the head of the Department of Buddhist Culture at the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. I was the first ever permanent lecturer appointed to the postgraduate institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies. I had the opportunity to work as the acting director of the same institute in several occasions. I served in many universities local and abroad in the capacity of visiting lecturer. I started my university education in 1963 at the university of Peradeniya and I obtained the Special degree of Bachelor of Arts offering Sanskrit as the main subject. I got the chance to study at Banaras Hindu University and I obtained the degree of Master of Philosophy from there under a scholarship granted by the government of India. I received my degree of the Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka for the thesis entitled Buddhist and Kantian Theory of Knowledge to which I received a state literary award.
Currently, I am the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies and regular professor at the International Buddhist College.

2. When did you join IBC and how?
I joined IBC in 2007 after my retirement from the university service in Sri Lanka on the invitation of the most venerable Dr. Wei Wu.

3. Do you only teach Buddhism academically or do you also practice? Would you mind to share your main practice?
I share knowledge of Buddhism with the students not merely as a teacher but also as a well-wisher of mankind for the reason that I know Buddhism can bring peace, happiness and prosperity to entire mankind. I try as far as possible to live in accordance with the instruction of the Buddha. I never do harm to others. Cultivation of good qualities in the life while doing everything mindfully is the other aspect of my life.

4. How do you handle if you face a difficult situation with students or in the environment you work?
So far in my life I did not find any difficulty with the students as I do my teaching to the effect that all the students get thorough understanding of the subject that they learn. I learn how to adjust my life in accordance with the environment from the Buddhist teachings. Therefore, under any circumstance, environment is not considered as a problem to my life. One of the great lessons we can learn from Buddhism is that we can live happily anywhere creating a friendly environment.

5. Please describe IBC in your own words.
IBC is a center of Buddhist education which pay equal emphasis to all Buddhist traditions namely Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. It reminds us ancient monastic universities like Nalandā, Vikramaşila etc. existed in India. It is true that it is physically not so fertile as it exists still in its very young age, But its quality of Buddhist education can compete with any university of similar kind in the world. Its academic staff is comprised of much experienced professors and lectures who engage in teaching activities with great compassion towards the students. It has a multi-ethnic student’s community consisted of the students who come from different parts of the world. Further, IBC student’s community represents the four assemblies of Buddhist dispensation namely, monks, nuns, lay male and lay female bringing a beauty to the environment of the campus. IBC provides bursaries for the most of the students who find financial difficulties with the sole intention of promoting Buddhism for the good of many. It is certain that leaning Buddhism in IBC would bring a pleasure to the students.

6. What lessons have you learnt from your life? Please share your advice based on those lessons.
Effectiveness of determination and dedication for achieving the our goal is main lesson I have from my life. We must have a goal in our life. Man without goal is going astray. Every successful man is a one who strived for achieving the goal. It is certain that it would not be failed to reach the goal when there is dedication and determination. Another lesson I learnt from my life is to take what should be done not as a problem but as a duty, So that it would make the life easier. Do with the happy mood whatever you have to do.