LUMBINI BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY

NEWSLETTER LUMBINI BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY Lumbini, Nepal Published on the occasion of Seventh Annual Day NEWSLETTER Vol. II No 1 30 November, 2011 CE 14 Marga, 2068 BS 6 Thinlathwo, 1132 NS Message from the Vice Chancellor Greetings to all!! Today we celebrate the seventh annual day of Lumbini Buddhist University (LBU), and on this auspicious day, we extend our sincerest thanks to all our well wishers for their support and encouragement to make the University an academic centre of learning and research. Founded in 2004, the LBU aims at imparting advanced studies on Buddhism along with its relevance in the modern world. For this, various academic degrees have been established focusing on Buddhist philosophical studies on the one hand and Buddhist approach to current issues on the other. We plan to start Master's programme from next year at constituent campus in Lumbini, and also in various affiliated campuses. As such, Ph.D. programme has already been launched from last year, and more than 40 research scholars are working on different aspects of Buddhist studies. LBU has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with academic institutions of China and Japan, intending to help each other to promote academic relations and undertake joint academic projects and initiate exchange programmes. The prime concern of LBU is to develop physical infrastructure. Under the financial support of University Grants Commission, one academic building is going to be constructed very soon in Lumbini. We extend hearty thanks to the UGC for the same. LBU is also planning to establish an International Research Centre somewhere around Lumbini. We have requested the concerned ministries to allocate land to build facilities for the same. The University library is in its beginning stage. However a number of organizations and individuals have donated books to enrich the University library, and we thank them all. We request and expect support and cooperation from well wishers. (Buddha Statues) Sixth Annual Day Celebration The Lumbini Buddhist University celebrated its sixth annual day on November 30, 2010, amidst a function participated by the Minister of Education, Sarvendra Nath Shukla as the chief guest, and Minister of Culture, Dr. Minendra Rijal as special guest. In the welcome speech, Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar, the Vice Chancellor of the University highlighted on the academic programmes of the university, and said that the construction of an academic building in Lumbini Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar (Sixth Annual Day Celebration) 1

is the prime concern of the University. Buddhist monks, scholars, academics and others were invited on the occasion. In his address, Dr. Minendra Rijal said that LBU is not an institution of the Buddhists alone; it should be developed as an international academic centre for Buddhist studies. As the chief guest of the ceremony, Mr. Sarvendra Nath Shukla expressed hope that LBU will be successful in imparting higher education on Buddhism with special reference to Applied Buddhism. He also assured that the government of Nepal will provide financial support to the LBU. The function was concluded with a vote of thanks by the Registrar. Prof. Shanker Thapa, Dean of LBU, was the Master of the ceremony. Second University Council Meet As per the Lumbini Buddhist University Act, the second convention of the University Council was held at Prime Minister's Office in Singha Durbar on 15 July 2011. Due to the engagement of the Prime Minister (Chancellor) on budget session, and of Education Minister (Pro-Chancellor) in his visit to the Philippines, the Vice Chancellor of LBU presided over the convention. In the welcome address, Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar (VC of LBU) summarized the activities of the university during last twelve months. Philosophy (Mahayana), and e) Theravada Buddhism; and degrees at Bachelor's level are a) Buddhist Philosophy (Mahayana) and b) Theravada Buddhism. Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Buddhist Studies have already been endorsed by the first convention last year. The convention passed the proposed budget of LBU for the fiscal year 2068/69 B.S. and also endorsed the MOU signed by LBU with two Chinese academic institutions Jinan University, Guangzhou, and Buddhist Wanshou Temple at Yangmin Mountain of China. The Council members gave some suggestions for the development of LBU as an academic institution. Those who spoke on the occasion include MPs Hon. Bhim Bahadur Rawal, Hon. Hishila Yami, Hon. Bal Krishna Khand, Hon. Zip Tsiring Lama and Hon. Laxmi Lal Chaudhary, Dr. Ganesh Man Gurung (Chairman, UGC), Acharya Karma Shangbu (Vice President, LDT) and Mr. Mod Raj Dotel (Secretary, Ministry of Culture). Registrar of the university submitted a detailed annual budget and it was unanimously approved. Nomination in NNCU The Ministry of Education has nominated Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar, in his capacity of the Vice Chancellor of LBU, as a member of Nepal National Commission for the UNESCO (NNCU) and also in its executive committee in December 2010. The NNCU is a governmental organization established to conduct various projects under financial and technical support of UNESCO, to organize seminars, conferences, and training programmes, and to make academic publications relating to UNESCO. Minister of Education, Nepal is the exofficio chairperson of NNCU. Construction of the Academic Building (Second Council Meeting of LBU) Prof. Shanker Thapa, Dean of the university proposed new degrees at Master's and Bachelor's levels. The convention endorsed the proposal. The degrees at Master's level include - (a) Buddhism and Himalayan Studies, (B) Buddhism and Peace Studies, (c) Applied Buddhism (d) Buddhist Lumbini Buddhist University invited Expression of Interest (EOI) from engineering firms willing to work as the consultant to design, prepare drawing, cost estimate and specifications for the construction of an academic building at Lumbini. The Evaluation Committee constituted under the co-ordination of the Registrar has approved technical and financial proposal submitted by the Nepal consult Pvt. Ltd. Consequently, LBU signed an agreement to purchase consultancy services 2

(East Elevation of the proposed academic building) with Nepal consult (Pvt) Ltd. The proposed building includes - (a) two class rooms (b) one seminar hall (c) two teacher rooms (d) one reception and waiting room (e) one administrative room (f) one room for account section (g) one conference hall and (h) two store rooms on the ground floor; and (a) three library rooms (b) two class rooms (c) three study rooms (d) two teacher s rooms (e) one seminar hall, and (f) one students room in the first floor. Memorandums of Understanding Signed Wanshou Temple, Yangmin Mt. of China LBU and Buddhist Wanshou Temple at Yangming Mountain (China) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop academic relations between the two institutions on 30 January 2011. Exchange of academic visits and dissemination of study material on Buddhism, and initiating joint research programmes are the areas on which both the institutions agreed to collaborate. (Wanshou delegates and LBU authorities with the Nepalese and Chinese Ambassadors- HE Tanka Karki and HE Qi Guohong) Soai and Soka Universities, Japan On the invitation of the Embassy of Nepal in Tokyo, the Vice Chancellor, LBU paid a friendly visit to some Japanese Universities and academic institutions for about two weeks from 5 to 17 September 2011. During his visit, Prof. Manandhar singed Memorandums of Understanding with Soka University, Tokyo on 7 September, and Soai University, Osaka on 13 September 2011. The MOUs have been signed by the Vice Chancellor of LBU and Presidents of Soai and Soka Universities. Dr. Durga Bahadur Subedi, the Deputy Chief of Mission; Embassy of Nepal was the witness. Soka University conducts research on Buddhism through International Institute for Advanced Buddhology (IIAB), and Soai University has a Department of Buddhist Culture under the Faculty of Humanities, for higher studies and research in Buddhism. In course of his visit, Prof. Manandhar delivered a lecture on Buddhism and Peace Process at Hiroshima University. Similarly, he gave a talk on (Ven. Elder Yan Zang, Deputy Secretary-General of Buddhist Association of China and Chief Abbot of Buddhist Wanshou Temple) The MOU was signed by Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar, on behalf of LBU and Ven. Elder Yang Zang, on behalf of Buddhist Wanshou Temple, with HE Tanka Prasad Karki, Nepal's Ambassador to China, as Witness. Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Qiu Guohung, Registrar Prof. Khadga Man Shrestha, and Dean Prof. Shanker Thapa were also present on the occasion. (MOU signed with Soka University, Tokyo) 3

NEWSLETTER relation between two universities. On that occasion the MoU was signed between the two Universities. LBU Delegation Visits China A five member delegation from LBU comprised of the VC, Registrar, Dean and Dr. Ranjana Vajracharya (Member of the Academic Council) and Mr. Ved Raj Gnawaly (Member of the Research Committee) visited China from 4 to 13 August 2011 at the invitation of Ven. Elder Yan Zang Chief Abbot of Buddhist Wanshaou Temple at Yanming Mountain, China, and Deputy Secretary General of Buddhist Association of China. This delegation was invited to enhance relations between the Chinese Buddhists and LBU. The delegation visited various Buddhist temples and Buddhist institutes in Guangzhou, Shenzen, Beijing, Taiyuan and Wu Tai Shan. His Excellency Tanka Prasad Karki, Nepal's Ambassador to China, also joined the delegation. (MOU signed with Soai University, Osaka, Japan) Buddhism in Nepal in historical perspective; at the Soai University, attended by the teachers and students of that University. Prof. Manandhar also visited Komazawa University Tokyo and met the President, Vice President and other higher authorities of the university. Komazawa University has a Faculty of Buddhism, under which Department of Zen Buddhist Studies offers courses for Bachelor's Degree and Department of Buddhist Studies deals with Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. programmes on Buddhism. In addition, he also visited the Theravada Association of Japan, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, World Buddhist Supreme Conference, Kudo Kyodan Buddhist Fellowship, Japanese Buddhist Federation, and Reuykai in Tokyo. He also participated in the closing session of Himalayan Languages Symposium on 9 September at Kobe city. Delegation from Jinan University A delegation from Jinan University, Guangzhou visited LBU to discuss and establish bilateral (In front of the White Pagoda in Wu Tai Shan) The delegation also attended a meeting with the Vice Minister of the State Department of Religious Affairs, Beijing, China, dignitaries at the Ministry of Foreign affairs, the office bearers of Buddhist Association of China, and Buddhist Association of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Taiyuan. During the meetings, plans and programmes of LBU were also discussed. The Chinese authorities expressed their concern and desire to support LBU to enhance academic excellence of LBU. Nepalese Ambassador HE Tanka Prasad Karki also joined the delegation and expressed his concern in the development of LBU as an international academic center. (Jinan University delegation with LBU authorities) 4

NEWSLETTER the Dean of LBU presented papers on - Buddhism and Nepal-China Relations, Buddhism and Peace; and Buddhism, Ethical Economy and Development: Buddhism in the Modern World and Its Involvement in the Development Process respectively. Memo Signed with Ba Daling Great Wall Council The LBU delegation visited the Great Wall of China and had interaction with the Chief of Ba Daling Great Wall Council. LBU signed a Friendship and Cooperation Memo with the Ba Daling Great Wall Council. Both the parties agreed on promotion of friendship and peace. (With Vice Minister of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, Beijing) (Signing the memo with BGW Council) (LBU Delegation with hosts in Wu Tai Shan) The visiting team participated in a seminar on 9 August organized by China - Nepal Peace and Development Forum sponsored by the State administration of Religious Affairs, Beijing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Buddhist Association of China, in which the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and (After signing the memo) Participation in International Symposiums LBU authorities actively participated in international symposiums and presented papers on various aspects of Buddhism without incurring any financial liability to the university. (LBU Delegation in Beijing Conference) 5

Prof. Shanker Thapa participated in a conference on Preservation of Buddhist Manuscripts organized by Nagarjuna Foundation, Gorakhpur, India from 18 to 20 February 2011. Prof. Thapa presented a paper entitled Catalogues of Buddhist Sanskrit Manuscripts of Nepal. Research Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) TU and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have jointly organized an International Conference on Buddhism: Traditional Practices and Pluralistic Innovations on 27-28 March 2011. Inaugurated by Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, the President of Nepal, the conference was attended by about 100 participants from Nepal and India. (ICCR-CNAS Conference on Buddhism) Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar chaired a session, Prof. Shanker Thapa presented a paper on Theravada Buddhism in Nepal and Prof. Khadga Man Shrestha made comment on the paper. Prof. Shanker Thapa, Dean of LBU has participated in an International Buddhist conference arranged by the ICCR from 4 to 7 Sept. 2011 in Leh, Laddakh. He presented the paper entitled - Making of the History of Ch an Buddhism: Contribution of Ven. Buddhabhadra [359-429] in Translation of Sanskrit Buddhist Texts into Chinese. An international seminar was organized by Doon University on Before Emergence of Nation States: Indo-Nepal Relations through Uttarakhand from June 13 to 15, June 2011 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Prof. Shanker Thapa participated in the seminar and presented a paper entitled: Buddhism and Indo-Nepal Relation: Expansion of Nalanda Buddhism in the Himalaya and Proliferation of Buddhist Sanskrit Manuscripts of Nepal. Prof. Shanker Thapa has participated in an International Buddhist conference organized by the ICCR and Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi from 7 to 10 October 2011. He presented the paper entitled - Repositories of Buddhist Sanskrit Manuscripts of Nepal. On the invitation of Institute of Chindian Studies, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, a three-member team from LBU (Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Dean) visited China to participate in the three-day international symposium (26-28 Oct. 2011) on Buddhism and World Culture jointly organized by Jinan University and Liu Zu Temple at Zhenshan in Shi Hui City. The symposium was attended by a number of Chinese scholars along with Nepalese, Indian and American delegates. The delegates from LBU presented following papers in the symposiums: 1. Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar - Buddhism and World Peace: An Appraisal. 2. Prof. Khadga Man Shrestha Wu Tai Shan Manjusri and His Arrival in Nepal. 3. Prof. Shanker Thapa Contribution of Master Buddhabhadra in Popularizing Sarvastivada Meditation in Fifth Century China. Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar, Vice Chancellor, LBU, participated in the fourth South and South East Asian Society of Religion (SSEASR) Conference at Thimphu, Bhutan from 30 June to 3 July 2011. He presented the paper entitled: Svayambhu: Historical and Cultural Study of a Buddhist Caitya. Among various papers presented in the conference, Brian Bocking, a former Professor at SOAS, University of London, presented a paper that dealt with U Dhammaloka's visit to Nepal in 1905 and his activities during his stay. His description is important in the study of history of Nepalese Buddhism. More than 200 scholars from 60 countries participated in the conference. Gautam Buddha International Peace Award On the auspicious day of Baisakh Purnima (17 May, 2011), Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, the President of 6

Nepal, handed over International Gautam Buddha Peace Award to two Japanese Mayors for their outstanding contributions to peace. The Mayors were Dr. Tadatoshi Akiba of Hiroshima City and Tomihisa Taue of Nagasaki City. The award carries a certificate, gold medal, and US $50,000 in cash. The award is scheduled to be given in every five years. Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar represented LBU on that occasion in Lumbini. Donation of Books A number of individuals and institutions have donated books and book shelves to the LBU Library. We thank all of them for their valuable contributions to enrich the library. The Soka Gakkai International (Nepal Chapter) has donated eighty volumes of books on Buddhism and other related subjects in January 2011. Mr. Ratna Bahadur Shrestha has donated 109 books mostly written on religion and philosophy in January 2011. Earlier, he had also donated 100 volumes of books to the LBU Library. Happy Science - Nepal, a Japanese Religious Organization, has donated five book shelves and 103 books on different aspects of Buddhism to the LBU Library in February 2011. World Without Anger (WWA), a NGO, has donated 40 Vols of books on Buddhism to the LBU Library. Mr. Dean Van Levein, the Patron of WWA, was most instrumental in raising the fund for donation. The donation was equivalent to US $ 550 and Vipasyana Kendra of Nepal has donated 81 volumes of Pali Tripitaka and some other books on Buddhism to the LBU library. Ph. D. Programme of LBU Appointment of Supervisors for Ph. D. Scholars On the recommendation of the Research Committee following researchers are assigned with the Supervisors. Scholar Supervisor Ajaya Kranti Shakya - Dr. Naresh Man Vajracharya Chandrakala Ghimire - Dr. Ramesh K. Dhungel Gopal Dahit - Dr. Tulasi R. Vaidya Hari Shankhar Manandhar - Dr. Sanu Bhai Dongol Hiranya Lal Vajracharya - Dr. Bhadra R. Vajracharya Krishna Gopal Baidar - Dr. Naresh Man Vajracharya Madan Gopal Shrestha - Dr. Govinda Subedi Mahendra Ratna Shakya - Dr. Veena Poudyal Matrika Pd. Timsina - Dr. Ramesh K. Dhungel Milan Shakya - Dr. Ramesh K. Dhungel Nadan Ratna Manandhar - Dr. Khadga Man Shrestha Narayan Pd. Adhikar - Dr. Khadga Man Shrestha Purushottam Chaudhary - Dr. Ganesh Gurung Shanker Lal Chaudhary - Dr. Tri Ratna Manandhar Sharada Poudyal - Dr. Shanker Thapa Surendra Ghimire - Dr. Vidya Nath Koirala Vikas Ghimire - Dr. Govinda Subedi Dr. Ankur Barua - Dr. Shanker Thapa Dr. Durga B. Subedi - Dr. Shanker Thapa List of Doctoral Candidates and Tentative Titles of Research Registration of 2067 Magh Batch Bikash Ghimire - Anthropo-demographic Study of Buddhist Population in Nepal Binod Pokharel - Functional Analysis of Kriyasamgraha Chakra Subedi - Cultural and Religious aspect of Nepal Japan Relation Deepak Acharya - Management In Buddhism: A Study of Management Practices In Nepalese Monasteries Krishna Subedi - Cultural and Religious Dimension of Nepal Myanmar Relation Punya Parajuli - Vanaratna: Life and Contribution to Buddhism from Tibetan Sources Pushpa Lal - Mahakavi Ashvaghosh Virachit Buddha Carita Mahakavyama Varnit Buddha Jivaniko Visleshanatmak Adhyayan Saligram Bhattarai - A Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Buddhist Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Pharmacotherapy in Anxiety Disorder Shambhu B. Gole - An Analytical Study of Buddhist Jurisprudence Registration of 2068 Shrawan Batch Anil Thapa - Exploring the Causes of Neonatal Deaths in Nepal 7

Atindra Dahal - Buddhism s Farsightedness on the Issues of State Building Bishnu P. Dahal - Jnanamala Bhajanko Sahityik Prayojan ra Dharmik Visleshan Gopal P. Poudyal - Majjhim Nikayaka Sutraharu koa Adharama Gautam Buddhaka Samaj Vishayak Vicharharuko Nirupan Guhanath Poudel - A Study on Astronomical Aspect of Kalacakra Tantra Keshar B. Bhandari - Buddhist Perspective of Peace and Security: Significance and Relevance of Buddhist Ideas to Ensure Peace and Security in Federal Nepal Mohan Khatiwada - Leadership in Buddhism: A Managerial Perspective Pramila Bakhati - Curriculum Development Process in Gumba Education in Nepal Research Methodology Workshop A research methodology workshop was arranged for the second (Magh 2067) and the third (Shrawan 2068) batch of Ph. D. researchers from Bhadra 8-13, 2068. Prof. Shanker Thapa, Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar, Prof. Vijay K. Manandhar, Dr. Naresh Man Vajracharya, Prof. Khadga Man Shrestha and Dr. Ghana Shyam Bhattarai presented working papers on different aspects of research methodology in Buddhism. After the completion of presentation and discussion on various working papers, the research scholars presented and defended their proposals. The panel experts were - Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar, Prof. Shanker Thapa, Prof. Govinda Subedi, Prof. Murari Prasad Regmi, Prof. Khadga Man Shrestha, Dr. Naresh Man Vajracharya, Dr. Sanu Bhai Dongol, Dr. Bhadra Ratna Vajrachaya, Dr. Indra Kumari Vajracharya, Dr. Ganesh Man Gurung and Dr. Ramesh K. Dhungel. Policy on Affiliation LBU has adapted a policy to grant affiliation to colleges which are interested in offering one of its MA courses on Buddhism. Some of the colleges which came up with such interests and applied for affiliation are - 1. Lotus Academic Collage Applied Buddhism 2. Sugat Bauddha Mahavidyalaya - Buddhist Studies (Mahayana Stream) 3. Boudha Multiple Campus - Buddhism and Peace Studies. 4. Theravada Buddhist Academy - Theravada Buddhism; and 5. Lumbini Academic Collage of Buddhism and Himalayan studies - Buddhism and Himalayan Studies. LBU is under the process of evaluation. Miscellaneous Greeting to Ven. Ashvaghosha Upon the sad demise of Sanghanayaka Ven. Buddhaghosha on 24 September, 2011 at the age of ninety one, the All Nepal Bhikshu Mahasangha unanimously selected Ven. Ashvaghosh as the new Sanghanayaka, LBU expresses hearty congratulations to him. Ven. Ashvaghosha is the member of the University Council of LBU. Registrar Completes His Tenure Prof. Dr. Khadga Man Shrestha, Registrar of LBU has successfully completed his 4-year tenure on November 25, 2011. LBU family wishes his successful career in the future. Meeting with the Director of CPS Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Dean of LBU met Dr. Tone Bleie, Director of the Center for Peace Studies, University of Tromso, Norway in connection with proposed Peace Studies programme of LBU. Proposed fields of studies and possibilities of collaboration were discussed in the meeting. Prof. Tone expressed her willingness to collaborate with LBU on Peace Studies programme. Dr. Prem Singh Basnyat, historian and a former Visiting Fellow of the CPS was also present in the meeting. Advisor - Prof. Tri Ratna Manandhar, VC Executive Editor- Prof. Shanker Thapa, Dean Asst. Editor- Uddhab Puri Published on behalf of Lumbini Buddhist University, Lumbini, Nepal. Liaison Offi ce: Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (+977-1) 42460328and (+977-71) 580352 E-mail: lumbiniuniv@hotmail.com, Web: www.lbu.edu.np