Reported by: Chhen Sela
From April 23 to April 25, 2016, International Buddhist College (IBC) and World Buddhist University (WBU) jointly organized an International Seminar on “Kumārajīva Studies” at Suan Dusit Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. There were altogether almost 30 participants who had participated in the seminar.
The objectives of the seminar were to recognize the contribution of Kumārajīva to Buddhism in the history, to create the academic atmosphere for Buddhist scholars to discuss and exchange their ideas, and to build a network and cooperation among Buddhist scholars in three denominations of Buddhism – Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna.
On April 24, 2016 at 8:45 a.m., Dr. Chris A Stanford, the Master of Ceremony, started the Opening Ceremony by inviting Prof. Dr. Pataraporn Sirikanchana, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, WBU to present a welcoming address to the participants. Then, Dr. Porntipha Bantomsin was invited to give a brief report of WBU. After that, Prof. Dr. Charles Willemen, Rector of IBC was invited for his keynote speech on the topic entitled “Remarks about the dates of Kumārajīva’s Work”. He shared with the participants the great job performed by Kumārajīva and some historical background of Kumārajīva.
The Kumārajīva Seminar was conducted in Round Table Presentation followed by Three Panel Sessions.
From 10:00a.m.-11:30a.m., Panel Session I focused on the scope of “Life and Work of Kumārajīva” which consisted of five articles as follows:
1. “Kumārajīva: Life and Works” by Prof. Supriya Rai
2. “Kumārajīva’s Biography: Some Points in Argument in Theravāda View” by Assistant. Prof. Dr. Banjob Bannaruji
3. “Kumārajīva in Art” by Mr. Ooi Chooi Seng
4. “Most Venerable Kumārajīva: a Preliminary Understanding through the Work of Venerable Yin Shun” by Mr. Boon Huat Hong
5. “Defilement are Identical to the Enlightenment (Bodhi)” and Kumārajīva’s Translation of the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa” by Prof. Fan Muyou
From 12:30p.m.-2:45p.m., Panel Session II targeted on topic of “Kumārajīva on Meditation and Translation” which followed by five articles. They were:
1. “Kumārajīva and Tibetan Translators” by Prof. Losang Jamspal
2. “Kumārajīva’s View of Meditation as Found in Zuochan Sanmei Jing” by Prof. Nobuyoshi Yamabe
3. “The Buddhānusmṛti (Recollection of the Buddha) in Kumārajīva’s Meditation Texts” by Dr. Fa Qing
4. “Endeavor of the Kumārajīva and His Translation on the Essential Explanation of the Method of Dhyāna, A Case Study” by Ms. Swe Swe Mon
5. “Remarks on Kumārajīva’s Nikāya: Vaibhāsika or Mahāsāṃgika” by Ven. Yuande Shih
From 3:00p.m.-5:00p.m., Panel Session III focused on the scope of “Influences of Kumārajīva on Buddhism and Philosophy” which followed by three articles as follows:
1. “Intentionality and Subjectivity: A Brief Survey of Husserlian Phenomenology and Madhyamaka Philosophy” by Associate Prof. Sumalee Mahanarongchai
2. “The Key Role of Teacher for Liberation” by Dr. Aye Aye Hnin
3. “Sihinganidana and Ratanabimbavamsa the Pali-vamsa literature of Lan Na to Maintain Buddhism over 5000 years” by Dr. Balee Buddharaksa
The presentation section was completed with the Question and Answer and Round Table Discussion followed by the summary of the whole seminar discussion by Dr. Chris A Stanford. Then at 5:30 p.m., Mr. Somlak Hirunburana, Vice Rector of Administrative Affairs, WBU closed the Ceremony with a word of thanks to all participants.
On April 25, 2016, the seminar committee had arranged a Cultural Trip to three famous ancient temples such as Wat Phrakaew (Emerald Buddha Temple), Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha Temple) and Wat Ratchanatda.
As final conclusion, this seminar was a great success with the insightful contribution of the distinguished speakers from over the world that led to a deeper and richer understanding of Kumārajīva as the great translator of Sanskrit Buddhist Texts to Chinese, his florid and elegant style of translation, the popularity of his texts and their contribution to the establishment and development of Buddhism in China. In the end of the day, all participants had benefited from the seminar in one or another way.
