INTRODUCTION
On a summer afternoon in 2023, on the Kandy plateau in Sri Lanka, renowned for its veneration of the sacred
Tooth Relic of the Buddha, on the lush green grounds of the University of Peradeniya, Kandy, the Departments of Education and Buddhist Studies held a Buddhist Seminar on July 14, 2023, with the patronage of Maha Mahinda International Dharmadutha Society, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Huong Sen Buddhist Temple, California, USA.
The conference was attended by many prestigious monastic doctorates, professors, lecturers, and scholars from several universities such as Prof. Ven. Medagama Nandawansa Thera (Maha Mahinda International Dharmadutha Society and Chief Incumbent of Sri Lanka Vidyalaya Maha traveled), Dr. Ven. Kahawatte Siri Sumedha (Chief Incumbent of Jambudvipa, Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple,Varanasi, India), Dr. Prabath Ekanayake (Dean of the Faculty of Arts), Prof. Walter Senevirathne (Head of the Department of Education), Prof. H.M. Mahinda Herath (Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies), Prof. Prasad Sethunga (Director General of the National Education Foundation), Dr. Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong (Lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in HCM City and Abbess, Huong Sen Buddhist Temple, California, USA), Dr. Samarakoon Banda (Senior Lecturer, the Department of Education), Dr. Kasun Dharmasiri (Senior Lecturer, the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya), Bhikṣuṇī TN Vien An (Lecturer of English, Huong Sen and Dieu Ngu School, California, USA), Ven. Madugalle Sudaththa (Lecturer, the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies,
Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, Anuradapura), Ven. Panadure Dumindalankara and Ms. H.M.L.M. Munasinghe (Lecturers for Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya).
The theme of the Buddhist seminar was Global Spread of Buddhism with Special Reference to Sri Lanka. Many papers covered this compelling subject describing how global Buddhism and Sri Lanka are addressing contemporary challenges across various domains, including philosophy, psychology, history, and practical aspects. These papers aim to explore and gain insights into the intricate interplay between world Buddhism and society, with a particular focus on issues of concern within Sri Lanka.
We would like to sincerely thank Prof. Ven. Medagama Nandawansa Thera, Dr. Ven. Kahawatte Siri Sumedha, Dr. Ven. Bhikṣuṇī Gioi Huong, Dr. Prabath Ekanayake, Prof. Walter Senevirathne, Prof. H.M. Mahinda Herath, co-organizers of this meaningful Kandy seminar. We would also like to express our gratitude to Prof. Prasad Sethunga for effectively leading the seminar as the Master of Ceremonies.
We also acknowledge the efforts of Ms. H.M.L.M. Munasinghe and others for your kind remarks in contact with other lecturers to get the papers and information for our seminar book. Thank you so much for your gracious welcome to the Huong Sen Temple’s delegation of ten monastic disciples, Peradeniya University’s staff, and those who kindly gave their assistance for this seminar and all those who contributed to the success of this seminar and the publication of the book.
May the Buddha bless you all.
Huong Sen Buddhist Temple, September 15, 2023 With metta,
The Editorial Board
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