After three months of meticulous preparations, the International Buddhist Education Conference convened from June 7th to 10th, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of an academic curriculum in both English and Vietnamese at the Bo De Phat Quoc, now renowned as Sakya Buddha University. The event welcomed esteemed monks and nuns, distinguished guest scholars, government officials at both state and city levels, prominent newscasters, and participants hailing from various corners of the globe, underscoring its international significance.
The conference left an indelible impact on the Buddhist community in Southern California, drawing notable figures from academia. Among them was Professor Le Manh That, who assumed the role of chairman for the conference. Additionally, revered individuals such as Venerable Thích Pháp Tánh, Venerable Thích Minh Tuyên, Venerable Thích Viên Lý, Venerable Thích Quảng Thanh, Venerable Thích Như Minh, Venerable Thích Nguyên Tâm, Professor Miroj Shakya, Professor Thomas Borchert, and Professor Karen Derris and all those who honored the occasion with their esteemed presence.
In his inaugural address, Venerable Thich Huyen Chau, President of the Bodhi Buddha Realm Society – Bồ Đề Phật Quốc, articulated the university’s future educational aspirations and extended heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their invaluable contributions and support.
By 2018, Venerable Thich Huyen Chau had successfully established a robust Buddhist academic framework in Vietnamese at Bo De Phat Quoc, and harbored aspirations to extend this endeavor to cater to English-speaking communities in the United States. Emphasizing the pivotal role of inclusivity, Venerable Thich Huyen Chau underscored the necessity of developing an academic curriculum that embraces both Theravada and Mahayana traditions, recognizing it as a crucial step towards the eventual establishment of a Buddhist University.
Key themes explored during the conference encompassed a diverse array of topics, including delving into the Academic System of the Ancient School of Nalanda, examining the evolution of Vietnamese Buddhism from past to present, elucidating the Three Principles of Buddhist Education, and deliberating strategies for erecting a Buddhist University within the United States. These focal points not only enriched scholarly discourse but also laid foundational groundwork for the realization of broader educational aspirations within the global Buddhist community.
Following Venerable Thich Huyen Chau’s address, Venerable Thich Minh Trong took the floor, delivering a compelling presentation on the academic system of Nalanda University. He underscored the profound influence of Buddhist education in ancient India, exploring its historical significance and relevance to contemporary educational paradigms. Moreover, Venerable Thich Minh Trong delved into the intricacies of education within the Theravada and Mahayana traditions, offering insights into the current landscape of Buddhist education in the United States.
Subsequently, Nun Tinh Quang offered a comprehensive analysis of the Buddhist educational framework in Vietnam, tracing its evolution from inception to the present day. With meticulous detail, she elucidated the key developments and transformations within Vietnam’s Buddhist education system, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of its historical trajectory and contemporary manifestations.
Continuing the discourse, the subsequent topic centered around the three principles of Buddhist education, elucidated by Venerable Thanh Nguyen. With clarity and depth, Venerable Thanh Nguyen expounded upon the fundamental tenets of educational philosophy, emphasizing three core principles: understanding the students’ identities, discerning their educational needs, and delineating the desired learning outcomes. Through this comprehensive approach, he underscored the importance of holistic education rooted in mindfulness and compassion.
Following Venerable Thanh Nguyen’s presentation, esteemed guest Venerable Thich Minh Khanh proceeded to elucidate the six characteristics of Dharma, illuminating key facets of the Buddha’s teachings. These characteristics include their skillful exposition, relevance to contemporary life, timeless nature, accessibility through direct experience, capacity to guide spiritual growth, and comprehensibility to discerning individuals. Through his insightful exposition, Venerable Thich Minh Khanh provided attendees with a deeper understanding of the profound wisdom encapsulated within the teachings of the Buddha.
Concluding the conference proceedings, Venerable Thich Huyen Chau, CEO of Bo De Phat Quoc-Sakya Buddha University, delineated five opportunities and six challenges that lie ahead for the university over the next six to ten years.
The morning of June 8, 2018, marked the commencement of the second day of the conference with a thought-provoking presentation by Professor Victor Gabriel on the dual forms of Buddhist education—ordinary and correct dogma. Following this, Professor Jitsujo T. Gauthier delivered an insightful discourse on spiritual development within Buddhist education. Concluding the morning session, Professor Shakya delved into the burgeoning impact of digital technology on Buddhist education, shedding light on its transformative potential and accompanying challenges.
On June 9th, the conference featured a panel discussion led by Professor Karen Derris, Karma Lekshe Tsomo, and Thomas Borchert. They engaged in an enlightening dialogue covering a range of topics, including the formulation of learning goals as both inspirations for teachers and aspirations for students. Additionally, the discussion delved into reflections on the intersections of Buddhism, Catholicism, and education, as well as examinations of curricula and the overarching objectives of Buddhist education in both Thailand and Singapore.
The event reached its culmination on June 10th with an inspiring presentation delivered by Professor Le Manh That. The success of the conference owes much to the invaluable contributions of esteemed monks and nuns, scholars, government officials, university members, and all those who honored the occasion with their presence.