Buddhist College Singapore 新加坡佛学院

Venerable Dr.Chang Qing, a Singapore Buddhist monk, he ordained in 1989 after he graduated with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Singapore Polytechnic.  He hold a BA in Chinese Literature from the National Taiwan University (1993), PhD in Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol (UK, 1998). He had published several English/Chinese articles and attended several International conferences. He also gave papers for seminars in UK and Singapore. Venerable Dr.Chang Qing gives Dharma Talk and conducted English/Chinese Dharma Classes whenever he is available. Currently he lectures in areas such as Prajna and Madhyamaka Thought in India, the Philosophy of Three Treatise etc.

Venerable Chuan Xiong, he was born in Henan Province, China and received his ordination at White Horse Monastery of Luoyang in 1993. He studied at Buddhist College of Minnan (Xiamen) and Buddhist Academy of China (Beijing) from 1997 to 2003. He received his MA and M.Phil degree (Buddhist studies) awarded by Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhism Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, in 2006 and 2009. In 2009, he joined Buddhist College of Singapore.

Ordained as a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk in 1983, Venerable graduated from University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, in Buddhist Philosophy in 1994. He obtained M.A. in Buddhist Studies from PGIPBS, Sri Lanka in1997 and PhD from the University of Hong Kong, 2008. He holds a Dip in Ed. from University of Colombo and has been a Dhamma educator since 1996.

Award-winning Publication: “Bodhisattva Practice in Ancient Sri Lanka with Reference to the Abhayagiri Fraternity” 1st prize; Third Korean Conference of Buddhist Studies,2006
Interests: Buddhist history and Buddhist Philosophy. Associate Editor of Humanities Journal, Common Ground Publications, Australia, Vol.5,2008.

Venerable Dr. Chuancheng was born in Sichuan province, China. He was ordained in 1991 and studied for five years in the Buddhist College of Minnan. After preaching Buddha-dharma for a year in Singapore, he spent a year and a half in Sri Lanka reading Theravada Buddhism at the University of Kelaniya. During September 2000 and June 2005, he completed an MA in Indian Religions and a PhD in Buddhist Studies at SOAS, University of London, UK. He joined the college as Associate Dean of Academic Affair in 2005 and was soon appointed to be Dean. At the end of January, 2008, he resigned from the post in order to concentrate on teaching and research.
His research interests are in the area of Chinese Buddhism with special focus on Early Cultural History of Chinese Buddhism. In the recent years, he has become increasingly interested in the study of Chinese Buddhist Scriptures.
The courses he teaches include Introduction to Buddhist Vinaya, Buddhist Monastic Values, Buddhist Jataka Stories, Buddhist Ethics, Apologetics of Chinese Buddhism, Reading in Buddhist Texts, etc.

Ven Yuan Liu was born in Si Chuan, China. Since entered into the Order in 1991, he had studied Mahayana Buddhism at Minnan Buddhist College in Xian Men and Buddhist Academy of China in Beijing for nearly seven years. After that， he went to Sri Lanka to study Sanskrit, Pali and Therevada Buddhism at The Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, for nearly eight years, and obtained M.A and Ph.D degrees there.
He had taught at Ming Nan Buddhist in Xia Men and at International Buddhist College in Thailand. While lecturing in Thailand, he had also severed acting dean of faculty of religious studies as well as dean of research school.
His personal interests of research are mainly focused on comparative studies of Abhidharma of northern tradition, Buddhist Sanskrit etc.

Mr. Gu was part of the first cohort of MA graduates from Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He has traveled to Harvard-Yenching Research Institute, Harvard University as a visiting scholar, specializing in research in Chinese Buddhism and is also the author of numerous articles and books. A lecturer with many years of experience, Mr. Gu was the former chief editor for The Buddhist Association of the USA and research fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies of World Religion.

Dr. Zhang was the former head of the Modern Poets Society of National Taiwan University (NTU), and was elected as a representative of the NTU student union during his studies. While studying in National Taiwan University, he engaged in in-depth Hindu meditation practices while learning Buddhism. He also undertook the Bodhisattva precepts and received the 4th grade empowerment from SAKYA sect of Vajrayana tradition. Furthermore, he served the Dharma disciple of Venerable Hsu Yun, Venerable Xin Lao. He was appointed by National Taiwan University as an Instructor to the organization, conducted psychological experiments with Prof Mr Lee Sijing (current rector) of the National Taiwan University for many years. Obtained M.A in Religious Studies and subsequently joined Beijing University Department of Philosophy as research fellow in 2002. Studied Indian Thoughts and Buddhism under Prof Yao Wei Qun. His dissertation (Research on Avatamsaka School “interpenetrate non-obstruction” Thoughts) was lauded by all his lecturers and was awarded the “Hua Lian Literature” award. He was also appointed the 9th and 10th President of the Chinese Parapsychological Association as well as Associate Professor of College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Fuzhou University.

Dr. Ji received his B.A. in Literature from Anhui Normal University in 1996, M.A in Literature from Inner Mongolia University in 2003 and PhD from Fudan University in 2006.During the writing of his doctorate dissertation, his research encompasses the study of Buddhism within the philological studies of Buddhist written texts, collecting of biographical materials of monks and the anthropological studies of religion. Eventually, his dissertation “A Study on the Biographies of Eminent Monks” was accepted by Shanghai Ancient Books Press and is due to be published in early 2009. As a fulltime lecturer of BCS, Dr. Ji is now engaged in teaching subjects such as Buddhist Literature, Institution of Buddhist Sangha and Buddhist arts.

Mr. Kevin Guinther is an American-born Singapore Permanent Resident and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature as well as a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies. He has resided in Singapore for over 10 years and has published short stories and poetry. He joined BCS in 2005 and is responsible for teaching English of all levels.

A Certified Teachers’ Training College teacher.Mrs Tan-Kang Cheah Kheng has taught English Language, Literature, Buddhist Studies and Moral Education in government secondary schools for 35 years.She also mentored trainee teachers, set up and managed KipMcgrath Worldwide Education Centre.

Ven. Dr. Rambukewela Gnanaseeha Thera was born in Sri Lanka and graduated from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 1978.  He obtained the certificate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Buddhist Studies from the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya in 1989.  He was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy for this work entitled “Buddhist Concept of Assimilation” by the University of Kelaniya in 2005.  After his graduation, he has already published several books and some articles on Buddhist philosophy and culture.  He has been a lecturer of Buddhist philosophy at the Tai Pei Buddhist Centre, Singapore since 2001.  Further, he is the founder and chief religious advisor of Samadhi Buddhist Society, Singapore and the founder and director of Samadhi Buddhist Cultural Centre, Cosme Garden, Wattarantenna Place, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Venerable Chuan Ren (Pannavudha) was born in Singapore. He was ordained as a novice monk at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery and subsequently, a bhikkhu in the Mahayana and Theravada traditions in Taiwan and Myanmar respectively. Besides practising meditation in Singapore, Venerable has also learnt and practised meditation under different teachers in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Taiwan and Myanmar for many years. Venerable Chuan Ren, effectively bilingual in Chinese and English, frequently conducts meditation lessons and retreats in different countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Venerable Dr. Jing Yin was born in Jiangsu province. He was ordained in 1982 and obtained his MA and MPhil degree from Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies of University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. He then continued his study in SOAS of University of London and was awarded PhD degree in 2001. After his PhD study, he started to teach in Centre of Buddhist Studies in The University of Hong Kong and he currently serves as the Centre’s Director.  He is also serving as the Subject Specialist of Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications, Council member of the Buddhist Association of China and Chief Secretary of Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong.  He is columnist for Hong Kong Economic Journal Monthly and regular writer for the weekly Ming Kok page in Ming Pao Daily.  He is also the chief editor of Spiritual Journey to Tunhuang published by Commercial Press (HK) and Buddhism for Key Stage 1 & 2 (text Books for UK schools). Some of his current research areas are Research on Emotion and Practice of Buddhism, and Effective Use of Buddhist resources in Children’s Personal and Social Development Education.  He is often invited to teach in different places including Hong Kong, Macau, UK, USA, Canada, Singapore and Philippines. 

Professor Cheng Chen-huang, born in Taiwan in 1945, BA of National Taiwan University with major in British and American literature, Master of Law of National Chengchi University with major in journalism. Current positions: President of Amala Association, Director of Mahayana Buddhist Institute of Chingchueh Sangha University, directors of several foundations, etc. Experiences: President of Torch of Wisdom Publishing House, Publisher of Torch of Wisdom Monthly, Vice President / Secretary-general of Torch of Wisdom Buddhist Association, part-time researcher of Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies, Vice President of Buddhist Viriya College, part-time lecturer of Chinese Culture University and World Journalism College, Secretary-general of Taiwan Conference on Religion for Peace, etc. Attended international religious conferences. Presented a paper at a Roman Vatican conference. Conducted meditation retreats and gave lectures in Taiwan and abroad. Publications include “Ajhan Buddhadasa”, Chinese version of “Tibetan Book of Living and Dying”, etc. totaling 32 books and over 1,000 articles.

Professor Chandima Wijebandara obtained his B.A Special degree in Buddhist Civilization with first class honours from the University of Ceylon in1968. He was appointed as a lecturer in the University of Colombo and continued to work there until 1980.In 1970 he was given a scholarship to do postgraduate research at the University of Lancaster, UK where he completed his PhD under Professor Ninian Smart. From 1980 t0 1983 he was the Head of the Department of Buddhist Culture at the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya. In 1983 he joined Sri Jayewardenepura University where he was the Professor of Buddhist Studies and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. In 2003 He was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University. He joined the Buddhist Library Graduate School in 2007.Chandima Wijebandara was a popular media artist and functioned as a frequent presenter of TV programmes while in Sri Lanka. He has dozen over books for his credit.

Mr. Jimmy Fan is currently writing up his PhD thesis while conducting Sociology lectures at the Buddhist College of Singapore and the Graduate School of the Buddhist Library. Upon graduating from the National University of Singapore in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts, Jimmy joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) as a senior police officer. In 2002, he obtained his Masters degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in UK. In addition, he was awarded the Titmuss Award by the Department of Social Policy (LSE) for his academic achievement. During his 1 year stint in UK, Jimmy worked with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and presented a conference paper at the University of Hull. In 2003, he took up the offer of an Australian National University PhD Scholarship. Other milestones in his life includes, having a wonderful and supportive family, a network of good mates, completing a marathon, having piloted a plane, and just being here. 

Dr. Teo was born in Singapore in 1951, Dr. Teo enrolled into the Nanjing University and achieved a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a PhD in the subject matter. His thesis paper was awarded the most outstanding thesis by the Nanjing University’s business faculty. Recently, his essay on Peter Drucker has been selected as a foreword for the book “Interpretations of Drucker’s Management Thought”. He currently teaches management subjects in the college. 

Venerable Dr. Guang Xing received his Ph.D. from School of Oriental and African Studies, the University of London in 2003. He is an assistant professor at the Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong and Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation visiting professor in Buddhism and Contemporary Society at the University of British Columbia. His publications include The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Buddhism to the Trikaya Theory (Routledge 2005) and The Historical Buddha (Beijing Religious Culture Publication 2005) together with many academic papers. He is currently working on the issue of filial piety in Chinese Buddhism and has already published several papers on the topic. 

Mrs Marie Smedley holds a Master’s degree in Philosphy.  She has taught English at various schools in Singapore at all levels.  She also tutored logic at the National University of Singapore for three years before moving to the UK where she lived for ten years.  While living in the UK, she spent time working in London.  Now back in Singapore, she has been a volunteer helper in reading at two international schools.  She is currently a major contributor to a quarterly children’s newsletter for an established education centre..