Huafan University Connects with Sri Lanka for Research Exchange on Chinese and Theravada Buddhism

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chih-chung, Taipei, 8th) Huafan University today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Sri Lanka National Buddhist Sangha Committee. They will establish two centers and offer courses, introduce the craftsmanship of making palm-leaf manuscripts, and invite Buddha relics to Taiwan, promoting research exchange between Chinese Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism.

Huafan University issued a press release stating that Mugunuwela Anuruddha, Secretary-General of the international Buddhist organization "One Buddha One World," led a five-person delegation from Sri Lanka to Huafan University yesterday (7th) to participate in the "International Buddhist Cultural Exchange Forum," where they received a warm welcome from faculty and students.

Anuruddha, who is also the Secretary-General of the Sri Lanka National Buddhist Sangha Committee, represented the committee in signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Huafan University. They will collaborate to establish the "Center for Mind and Consciousness Sciences" and the "Buddhist Scripture Translation Center."

Anuruddha pointed out that Taiwan and Sri Lanka have similar populations and land areas. Although their cultures are different, their people all possess kind hearts. This visit to Taiwan not only allowed them to witness the profound energy of Taiwan's Buddhist community but also deeply feel that Huafan University has long been committed to integrating humanities, arts, technology, and Buddhist dharma in its education, making it an ideal platform for promoting international Buddhist academic cooperation.

Huafan University President Li Tian-ren stated that Huafan is Taiwan's first comprehensive university founded on Buddhist culture, and it has the world's only Department of Buddhist Art. The "Center for Mind and Consciousness Sciences" will promote research on happiness studies related to mindfulness and meditative awareness. The initial plan is to offer non-credit workshops, with further development into credit programs in the future. The "Buddhist Scripture Translation Center" will disseminate Chinese Mahayana Buddhist scriptures in multiple languages to the Theravada Buddhist system, promoting research exchange.

Furthermore, Sri Lankan monasteries use palm leaves to inscribe Buddhist scriptures, creating "palm-leaf manuscripts," which are the most representative carriers of scriptures in Theravada Buddhism. Huafan University has also reached a consensus with "One Buddha One World" to introduce the craftsmanship and collection of palm-leaf manuscripts and invite Buddha relics from Sri Lanka to be enshrined, making Huafan a cooperative base for Theravada Buddhism in Taiwan.

Great Wisdom Dharma Master, co-founder of "One Buddha One World" and abbot of Taiwan's Guangxiu Chan Temple, stated that "One Buddha One World" was established in Sri Lanka in June last year, with monastic representatives from 23 countries participating, many of whom are representatives of "national teams." He hopes to promote the unity of the three major Buddhist traditions: Chinese, Tibetan, and Theravada Buddhism. He thanked Huafan University for facilitating this exchange and jointly promoting the spread of Buddhist dharma throughout the world. (Editor: Guan Zhong-wei) 1150508

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