Venerable Monastics,
Distinguished Faculty Members and Scholars,
Dear Students and Members of the Sakya Buddha University Community,
As the Spring of the Year of the Fire Horse 2026 arrives, it brings with it the renewed breath of heaven and earth and opens a new cycle of growth for our lives, our scholarship, and our practice. On this meaningful occasion of seasonal renewal, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive Leadership of Sakya Buddha University, I respectfully extend to all Venerable Monastics, Faculty, Students, and Families my sincere wishes for peace, wisdom, diligence, and fulfillment in the New Year.
In the spirit of Buddhist teaching, Spring is not merely a change of seasons, but the manifestation
of pure vital energy within the mind. A person truly possesses Spring only when they retain the
capacity for trust, openness, transformation, and the nurturing of life. A Spring of self-confidence is a Spring grounded in the conviction that one can receive what is not oneself, refine it, and thereby renew one’s own vitality. It is this very vitality that affirms one’s presence amid the cycles of spring, summer, autumn, winter, and all phenomena.
Pure Spring is a Spring that knows how to return to time what does not belong to it. The rush,
rivalry, tension, and extremity of life—Spring does not carry these forwards. When one knows
how to let go appropriately and preserve what is essential, the learner can dwell peacefully amid
constant change without losing direction. In the journey of advanced Buddhist education, we
learn not merely to accumulate knowledge, but to purify mental disturbances, clarify wisdom,
and cultivate compassion.
Spring is also a state of ease. A mind without ease cannot give rise to wisdom. An academic
environment without spaciousness cannot nurture depth. Sakya Buddha University aspires to
become a safe island of scholarship and practice, a place where learners may take refuge, reflect
deeply, and mature—even while facing the challenges of life, society, and academia.
We must also remain mindful that although Spring is inherently pure, human beings often make
Spring burdensome through intentional grasping, competition, and calculation. When the mind
becomes entangled in such busyness, the Spring within oneself gradually disappears. Education,
if not supported by mindfulness and ethical grounding, can likewise become a subtle form of
distraction. Therefore, Sakya Buddha University remains steadfast in building an educational environment grounded in academic integrity, transparency, academic freedom, and freedom from
non-academic interference.
Spring has never been ahead of us for us to chase, nor behind us for us to mourn. Spring is the
pure, trust-filled, effortless life already present within us. When the seeds of fear, anxiety, doubt,
craving, hatred, and fixation come to rest, the inner space of consciousness opens wide for
Wisdom and Compassion, for Tolerance and Equanimity to blossom into fruition. When all
intentional grasping toward Spring has fully settled, true Spring reveals itself—and Spring and
we coexist. Spring is us, and we are Spring.
As we enter the New Year, Sakya Buddha University reaffirms its commitments to:
– Upholding academic integrity and academic freedom
– Advancing higher Buddhist education grounded in wisdom, compassion, and institutional
responsibility
– Serving learners, community, and society through authentic, sustainable, and mindful
education
May the New Year bring to all bodily well-being, inner peace, diligent practice, and the fulfillment of wisdom. May true Spring abide in every step, every page of learning, and every mindful breath we share.
With deep respect and warm New Year greetings,
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS & EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
SAKYA BUDDHA UNIVERSITY
Thich HuyenChau
Chair of the Board of Directors / Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Sakya Buddha University

SBU has invited attorney Edward F. Allebest, an expert in non-profit organization law, to give a presentation and answer questions.

– The presentation will be held from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

– Location: Bodhi Buddharealm Society dba Sakya Buddha University

3404 Westminster Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92703

We cordially invite all Venerable monks, nuns, Buddhist practitioners, and students to attend.

We also request Communication Team to disseminate this information on the SBU website.

Sincerely,

CEO Thich, HuyenChau

The event opened with a warm welcome from Chancellor Dr. Victor Gabriel, followed by remarks from the Founder and CEO of SBU, Venerable Thich HuyenChau, who introduced the distinguished faculty, honored guests, and new students.

Introduction to the Master’s Programs

Chancellor Gabriel presented an overview of SBU’s two graduate programs: the Master of Arts in Buddhist Philosophy and the Master of Arts in Buddhist Psychotherapy. He also introduced the Fall 2025 courses, subjects, and the faculty who will be teaching the courses.

Dean of Buddhist Studies, Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Department Chair of Buddhist Philosophy, Venerable Thich Nguyen Dinh, followed by each faculty member — Dr. Victor Gabriel, Dr. Tenzin Dorjee, Dr. Lina Gupta, and Dr. John Freese — came forward to introduce themselves and express their excitement to teach at SBU and support students in their academic journey.

Dr. Gabriel and Dr. Freese then highlighted the distinctive features of the two Master’s programs:

M.A. in Buddhist Philosophy: An in-depth exploration of Buddhist thought, ethics, and practice, integrating scholarly rigor with personal spiritual growth. Students engage with core teachings, historical development, comparative philosophy, and modern applications in areas such as mindfulness, ethics, and interfaith dialogue. The program requires 56 graduate credits (14 core courses and 4 research courses), a minimum residency of four semesters, a thesis with oral defense, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

M.A. in Buddhist Psychotherapy: A unique program bridging Buddhist psychology with Western multicultural counseling, aligned with requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential. The program requires 63 graduate credits (introductory, foundational, core, advanced, and clinical courses), a minimum residency of six semesters, a thesis or comprehensive exam, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Students can find complete details in the SBU Student Handbook, on the SBU website (sakyauniversity.com), and through resources such as Canvas and Zotero.

Vision and Growth of SBU

The CEO, Venerable HuyenChau shared highlights of SBU’s journey since its founding more than ten years ago and reaffirmed its mission:

“SBU endeavors to provide an all-encompassing education shaped by Buddhist principles, bridging the wisdom of Eastern and Western traditions and fostering cultural understanding to empower students for meaningful contributions in a rapidly evolving world.”

He also announced upcoming initiatives:

• Construction of student dormitories for monks and nuns, with Respectable Venerable Thich Nguyen Nguyen and Respectable Venerable Nun Thich Nu Tam Nhut, who were invited to oversee the monasteries.
• Launch of three Ph.D. research programs in September 2025: AI Dharma, Integrative Medicine, and Vinaya & the U.S. Constitution.
• Special recognition of Dr. Kim, an expert in herbal medicine and acupuncture, who will contribute to the Integrative Medicine program.

Strong Enrollment and Closing Remarks

The CEO was delighted to report strong enrollment numbers: 18 students in the M.A. in Buddhist Philosophy and 21 students in the M.A. in Buddhist Psychotherapy.

The orientation concluded with words of gratitude to the faculty and students, along with best wishes for success in the years ahead.

August 20, 2025
The Communication Team
Sakya Buddha University

By Bhikkhu Thich HuyenChau

Ānāpāna means inhaling (ānā) and exhaling (āpāna) implied. Ānāpāna denotes the practice of
mindful breathing in and out. The focused awareness on breathing in and out is called mindful
breathing (ānāpānasati). This faculty of awareness is the very nature of wisdom (paññā), and
the sustaining power of this attention is known as established mindfulness (satiṭṭhāna).

Breathing functions depend on various bodily and mental states, and therefore do not occur in the
immaterial realms (arūpa-loka), the fourth jhāna, unconscious absorptions (asaññā-samāpatti),
or within the womb. The successful practice of mindfulness of breathing is founded upon the
truthful recognition of the breath, and thus only those who follow the right Dharma (sammā-
dhamma) can fully engage in this practice.

The Buddha taught this method in many discourses. Here, we refer to the exposition in
the Abhidharmakośa by the great scholar Vasubandhu, who presented the practice in six steps:

Step 1: Counting the Breath (gaṇanā)
Focus the mind on inhale / exhale and clearly count from one to ten — no more, no less.
Avoid errors such as:
– Overcounting: thinking “two” when it should be “one,”
– Undercounting: thinking “one” when it should be “two,”
– Misidentifying: mistaking an inhale for an exhale.
If you lose track midway, simply start over from the beginning.

Step 2: Following the Breath (anubandhanā)
Anchor the mind on the inhale, starting from the tip of the nose, gradually moving through
the throat, heart, navel, and ending at the big toes. The exhale extends roughly from a hand’s
length to an arm’s length. The next breath follows the same path.
This stage is more demanding, as the mind must continuously follow the breath without
distraction, thereby strengthening concentration (samādhi).

Step 3: Experiencing the Breath (upalakṣaṇā)
Visualize the breath traveling from the nose tip through the throat, heart, navel, and down to the
big toes as if it were a thread passing through a transparent body.
Suspend the mind on the breath like a thread, and begin to experience its characteristics —
whether it is beneficial or harmful, cool or warm, etc.

Step 4: Contemplating the Nature of the Breath (upalakṣaṇa-pariccheda)
At this point, the breath is no longer just air flowing in and out — it is seen as a material
phenomenon (rūpa) formed by the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind.
Physical health and emotions also arise upon this elemental base. Contemplating the nature of
the breath allows one to gradually understand the five aggregates (pañcakkhandhā):
– Form (rūpa),
– Feeling (vedanā),
– Perception (saññā),
– Mental formations (saṅkhāra), and
– Consciousness (viññāṇa).

Step 5: Transforming Perception (saññā-parivatti)
Observe that a single breath contains four phases:
– Arising (uppāda),
– Filling (pūraṇa),
– Stabilizing (ṭhiti),
– Transforming into vital energy (vega).
Through this, perception transforms into the four preparatory stages of insight (catūsu
dhammāni):
– Warmth (uṣmagata/noṇa) – the path begins to generate insight,
– Summit (mūrdhan/noṇa) – irreversible commitment to the path,
– Tolerance (kṣānti/khanti) – capacity to endure reality,
– Supreme Dharma (agriya dharma) – entry into the stage of non-arising (anupāda-
dhamma).
By contemplating the impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), non-self (anattā),
and emptiness (suññatā) in a single breath, one develops a perception as clear as seeing a path
to supreme happiness. The Abhidharmakośa, in the chapter “Distinguishing the Noble Ones,”
states:
With Warmth, Nirvāṇa is near;
With Summit, the wholesome roots remain unbroken;
With Tolerance, one no longer falls into evil realms;
With Supreme Dharma, one enters the unconditioned.

Step 6: Realizing Purity (pariśuddhi)
If each of these steps is practiced for 45 minutes with undistracted attention, one may be said to
have attained meditative absorption (jhāna).

Progressing through the five stages — from counting the breath to transforming
perception — one develops a diamond-like concentration (vajra-samādhi). This deep stability
becomes the foundation for the arising of true wisdom (yathābhūta-ñāṇa-dassana), leading to
the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths and the eradication of all causes of suffering.
This is the attainment of pure knowledge (vijjā-visuddhi) — the clear, liberating insight of
an Arahant.

Summary
In the Six Steps of Mindful Breathing, the first two steps establish mental stability, while
the last four cultivate wisdom.
As the mind abides in a single object, the letting go of emotional disturbances occurs naturally.
Consequently, afflictions such as fear, anxiety, depression, etc., are easily transformed and
ultimately eliminated.

We are proud to present pictures of the new graduates on the Graduation Day.

Master of Arts (MA) in Buddhist Philosophy:

Extracurricular classes

The event brought together venerable monks and nuns, Buddhist scholars, professors,
lay practitioners, and spiritual friends from all directions. In the radiant light of the
Dharma, the community reverently celebrated the birth of the Buddha and reaffirmed
the path of liberation through compassion, wisdom, and service.

INAUGURATION OF THE EXECUTIVE & GOVERNING BOARDS OF SBU
On this auspicious occasion, the Inauguration Ceremony of the Governance and
Executive Boards of Sakya Buddha University (SBU) was also solemnly conducted.
This marked a significant milestone in the university’s institutional development and
strategic vision for advancing Buddhist education and global Dharma propagation.
The Organizing Committee respectfully introduced the following key leadership
personnel assuming essential roles in the administrative structure of the university as
follows:

KEY LEADERSHIP PERSONNEL (Excerpt from the SBU Organizational Chart – issued May 21, 2025)

SBU GOVERNANCE BOARD

• President – Chair of the Board: Thich HuyenChau
• Advisor: Dr. Manh That Le
• Members: Dr. Hoang Lan Nguyễn, Dr. Thuy Hong Bui, Minh Hoang Chau, Bich
  Van Vuong.
  SBU EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Thich HuyenChau
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Julie Phan
• Accreditation Liaison Officers (ALO): Victoria Huynh, Tram Van
• Registrar / Director of Academic Affairs: Yvone Dao
• Admissions & Records Officer: David Nguyen
• Chancellor (Headmaster): Dr. Victor Gabriel
• Directors of Public Relations: Julie Phan, Thich Hien Nguyen
• Library Director: Nguyen Hoang Tho (aka Thich Nu Hien Chan)
• Director of Information Technology: Keith Nguyen
• Director of AI – Dharma Technology: Holy Võ
• Director of Facilities: Huyen Tran
• Assistant to Director of Facilities: Phong Phạm
• Controller of Accounting Department: Victoria Huynh
• Chief Academic Officer (CAO): Ven. Nun Thich Nu Tinh Quang
• Dean of Buddhist Studies: Ven. Thich Tri Quang
• Department Chair of Buddhist Philosophy: Ven. Thich Nguyen Dinh
• Department Chair of Buddhist Counseling Psychology: Dr. John Freese

HONORARY INVITEES

• Venerable Thich Nguyen Nguyen – Abbot of the Sangha Residence
• Venerable Thich Nguyen Dinh – Resident Monk, Sangha Residence
• Venerable Nun Tam Nhut – Vinaya Master and Abbess of the Nuns’ Institute
• Venerable Nun Huong Quang – Abbot of Nun’s residence
• Venerable Thich Hien Luan – Chief Administrator, Manager of Bodhi
  Buddharealm Society
  

The ceremony unfolded in a spirit of harmony, wisdom, and serenity. The presence and
blessings of the venerables and distinguished guests reaffirmed a collective
commitment to the vision of a compassionate and modern Buddhist education, while
inspiring the noble path of serving humanity through the Dharma.
The Organizing Committee sincerely extends its heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and
respectfully prays for the blessings of the Triple Gem upon Sakya Buddha University, so
that it may continue to flourish in its mission of:
“Dharma Propagation – Benefiting Beings – Preserving the True Lineage.”

CONTEMPLATION OF WHITE BONES – CEASED CRAVING

Bhikkhu Thich, HuyenChau

Craving (taṇhā) is a negative mental factor that strongly influences human thought and behavior. It commonly arises in response to attractive appearances, graceful features, pleasant physical contact, and the allure of veneration. One’s inner life cannot be liberated from worry and suffering, if it is constantly dominated by the increasing intensity of desire.
To transform this stream of unwholesome mental energy, one may practice
the Contemplation of White Bones(aṭṭhikasaññā), a method expounded by the great
Abhidharma master Vasubandhu in the Abhidharmakośa. This meditative practice
unfolds in three stages:

Stage 1: Initial Practice
Begin by focusing the mind on a specific bodily part—such as the big toe, the space between the eyebrows, or whichever part is easiest for concentration. Then,
using one’s power of imagination, analyze how that part of the body would
decompose after death: swelling, oozing pus, decaying, and eventually
disintegrating until only white bones remain.
Next, extend this contemplation to the entire body after death—imagining it fully
decayed and reduced to a skeleton of white bones. When this visualization
becomes master, expand it further by imagining all people around you as nothing
more than white skeletons. Continue extending the scope of contemplation to the
boundaries of the oceans, seeing everywhere as composed of white bones. Finally,
withdraw the visualization gradually until only one’s own skeleton remains clearly
in mind. At this point, the foundational practice of white-bone contemplation is complete.

Stage 2: Mastery Through Familiarization
Now, stabilize the mind at the back of the crown of the head. Contemplate the
gradual destruction of one’s own skeleton, from the big toe up to the skull, until only half of the skull remains. At this stage, the power of visualization and
analytical observation becomes unified and centered at the back of the head. This
marks the stage of mature and stabilized training.

Stage 3: Transcendental Application
Once familiarization is complete, move the awareness to the empty space just in
front of the midpoint between the eyebrows. From there, extend the contemplation
backward through the skull and visualize the ultimate disintegration—until nothing
remains. This stage of the Contemplation of White Bones is known as Transcendental Application (supramundane conceptual engagement).
Though this practice may not completely eliminate suffering, it suppresses and
weakens defilements (kilesa). The Contemplation of White Bones embodies the
essence of non-attachment (alobha) and serves as the foundation for detachment
and renunciation at all levels of meditative absorption (jhāna).
If one wishes to uproot both manifest and latent forms of desire and attain supreme
peace, this contemplation must not be neglected.

The ceremony recognized the graduates’ academic and spiritual achievements. They were awarded Master of Arts (MA) degrees in Buddhist Philosophy. In addition to formal degrees, SBU was honored to present certificates of completion for students who successfully completed the extracurricular Dharma programs, including the Elementary to Intermediate Buddhist Studies Program, Advanced Buddhist Studies Program, and Abhidhamma Specialized Course.

During the same event, SBU formally accepted a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the Honorable Ro Khanna, U.S. Representative for California’s 17th District, in acknowledgment of the university’s AI Dharma Conference held on May 31, 2025, exploring AI Dharma for Humanity and Global Harmony.

All Master graduates also received Certificate of Recognition from Assemblymember Tri Ta, California’s 70th District, in honor of their academic achievement and commitment to the principles and practices of Buddhist Philosophy.

This year’s commencement marked a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing mission to integrate timeless Buddhist wisdom with the values of modern education.