The International Buddhist College will be organizing its 3rd convocation seminar on the 1st of August 2009 in conjunction with its 2nd convocation to be held on the following day at IBC in Southern Thailand. The seminar venue is at Than Hsiang Temple, Penang.

Five distinguished scholars of international repute and who are also currently the staff and lecturers at the College have been invited to be the panel speakers. The opening ceremony will be graced with the presence of Prof. C. F. Lee, the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, who will officially declare the opening of the convocation seminar.

The program for the convocation seminar is as follow:

07.45 am – 8.45 am
Registration of participants

08.45am – 09.00am
Opening Ceremony by Prof C.F. Lee, Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Hong Kong.

09.10 – 10.25
Ven. Prof. Dhammajoti
“ The Question of the oldest teachings of the Buddha: some remarks of the criteria for the stratification of the Buddhist Canon”.

10.40am – 11.45am
Prof. Emerituis Y. Karunadasa
“ Birth of Buddhism as a critical response to spiritualist and materialist views”

11.55am – 01.00pm
Lunch Break

01.00pm – 2.15pm
Prof. Toshiichi Endo
“Value of Pali Commentaries for the study of Buddhism”.

02.30pm – 03.45pm
Prof. Kapila Abhayawansa
“The Importance of kamma in Buddhist Ethics”

04.00PM – 05.15PM
Prof. Charles Willemen
“What is the origin of Chinese Buddhism?”

Below are a brief bio-data of the speakers & the synopsis for each presentation:

1. Ven. Professor K.L. Dhammajoti
Ven. Prof. Professor K.L. Dhammajoti, PhD, a Malaysian, is a Glorious Sun (Endowed) Professor in Buddhist Studies at the Center of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong. He was a professor and Head of the Department of Buddhist Sources at the Postgraduate institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He specializes in Abhidharma studies and early Indian Yogacara.

Synopsis: “ The Question of the oldest teachings of the Buddha: some remarks of the criteria for the stratification of the Buddhist Canon”.
In spite of traditional accounts, it is a historical fact that the Tripitaka was compiled through a gradual process, starting from the time of the so-called First Council shortly after the Buddha’s parinirvana. This means that some material in the Buddhist Canon are older than other. Since the 19th century, there has been a controversy as to what constituted the “Original Gospel” of the Buddha. In this connection, some modern scholars have intelligently avoided this issue, and consider it more fruitful to examine the question of stratification of the Canon, putting forward various criteria for the “old and “new” strata of the Buddhist scriptures. However, invalid criteria necessarily entail false conclusions.

In this lecture, Ven Professor intends to offer a critique on some invalid criteria proposed by certain leading Buddhist scholars. The conclusions derived from these criteria have unfortunately not only seriously distorted the historical facts concerning the earliest Buddhist teachings, but also effectively reduced the profundity of the Buddha’s teachings emanated from his Enlightenment to nothing more than some simple ethical exhortations.

2. Professor Y. Karunadasa
Professor Y. Karunadasa, PhD (London), a Sri Lankan, is a visiting Professor of the center of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong. He was a professor Emeritus, at the University of Kelaniya , Sri Lanka and a former distinguished visiting professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Calgary(Numata chair). Formerly also, a visiting professor of Buddhist studies(SOAS) University of London(Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai Professorship). He is currently a visiting professor of the International Buddhist College, Thailand.

Synopsis: “ Birth of Buddhism as a critical response to spiritualist and materialist views”

Anyone who has a general acquaintance with Buddhism will know that as a religion Buddhism is different from many other religions. In point of fact, many of the ingredients that go to make the definition of religion are conspicuously absent in it. Nevertheless, Buddhism is still a religion. Together with other religions Buddhism, too, believes in survival, in the operation of a moral order, in moral accountability, and in the possibility of final emancipation. In order to understand this situation which is unique to Buddhism, we need to go to the very beginning of Buddhism, how Buddhism began as a new faith among many other faiths. Fortunately for us what led to the birth of Buddhism can be understood from the earliest extant Buddhist scriptures. The scenario emerging from them is that Buddhism arose as a critical response to two world-views, which according to Buddhism have a tendency to persist throughout the history of human thought. The Pali Suttas introduce these two ideologies as sassatavada, i.e. the spiritualist view of life and ucchedavada, i.e. the materialist view of life. Buddhism sets itself equally aloof from these two ideologies. And this is precisely why Buddhism is said to follow a middle position, both in theory and practice The Buddhist doctrine of causality is called “majjhima desana” , the middle teaching, because it enables Buddhism to transcend the mutual opposition between the spiritualist and materialist ideologies. In the same way the Noble Eightfold Path is called “majjhima patipada”, the middle path, because it enables Buddhism to transcend the mutual opposition between self-mortification and sensual indulgence, the two practical manifestations of spiritualist and materialist ideologies.

3. Professor Toshiichi Endo
Professor Toshiichi Endo, PhD (Kelaniya) is a visiting Professor of the Center of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong and the International Buddhist College, Thailand. He is also a professor at the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He specializes in Early Buddhism, Pali Commentarial Studies, Sri Lanka and Japanese Buddhism.

Synopsis: “Value of Pali Commentaries for the study of Buddhism”.
The pioneering work to analyze and examine the entire Pali commentaries as source-material for Buddhist studies was undertaken and published by Dr. E.W.Adikaram under the title “Early History of Buddhism in Ceylon” in 1946.

This paper is an attempt to deal mainly with the below-mentioned areas of Buddhist studies that have been so far done throughout the world, and also to show possible areas for future studies.

1) Philological studies and translations.
2) Doctrinal and philosophical studies.
3) Linguistic studies.
4) Historical, geographical, social and cultural studies.
5) Comparative studies between the Northern and Southern Buddhist traditions.
6) Mahayana Elements in Theravada Buddhism.
7) Mahayanism in India.

4. Professor Kapila Abhayawansa
Professor Kapila Abhayawansa PhD. (Sri Lanka) is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies, International Buddhist College, Thailand. Prior to joining International Buddhist College, he was the Professor and Head of the Department of Buddhist Culture at the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Areas of specialization: History of Western and Eastern Philosophy, Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy and Buddhist monastic discipline.

Synopsis: “The Importance of kamma in Buddhist Ethics”
In this presentation, Buddhism shows the importance of concept of kamma in the field of Buddhist ethics. An attention is thus focus on the definition of kamma and its charateristics. Theoretical aspect of Buddhism –the theory of dependent origination- is explained in relation to the concept of kamma. Our main concern is to examine the concept of kamma in line with right vision of Buddhism in its ethical path. Buddhism recommends a way of life based on ethics to its followers in day to day life. Hence it is our intention to draw the attention of the audience to the importance of Kamma in the daily life of a Buddhist.

5. Professor Charles Willemen
Professor Charles Willemen holds a PhD in Oriental studies (Belgium). He is currently the Vice Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, International Buddhist College, Thailand. He specializes in Sarvastivada Abhidharma and Literary Chinese. He travels to China , US, Canada, Western Europe, India and Japan to present his research papers at conferences and teaches in several institutions.

Synopsis: “What is the origin of Chinese Buddhism?”
Everyone knows that Buddhism originated in India, but where in India was the exact area from where Buddhism went to China? Which were the main routes to eastern Asia? Also, why and how was Buddhism received in China?

Buddhism reached China along many roads, but the most important was the road through Central Asia to Luoyang, and later to Chang’an. Batrian Buddhism, Abhidharma and also the Pure Land and Vinaya traveled that way. The second important road was the maritime road, from India’s southeastern area to southern China. The third road led from India’s northeastern area to Sichuan, but this road needs to be studied more.

The seminar provides an opportunity for the interaction between the panel of speakers and Buddhist researchers and enthusiasts to enhance a better understanding of the Buddha Dharma. We welcome all brothers and sisters in the Dharma to join us in making this seminar a success.

Registration fee per person is RM 40.00 inclusive of lunch. Registration in group of five will enjoy one free registration. Free for Sangha members.

Please book early as places are limited.
Closing date: 15th July 09

All cheques should be made payable to Than Hsiang Fund.
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fax: 604-6421896

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