Page 9 - E-BOOK PULSE@FASS ISU NO.02/2023

Issue no. 2 | 2023

The 2nd Scholar Conference On Humanistic
Buddhism
By Dr Lai Suat Yan
The 2nd Scholar Conference On Humanistic Buddhism held Ven. You Deng, an advisory board member, HBRC was the
on 24 June at the Dong Zen Temple, Jenjarom, Malaysia Co-chief Planning Supervisor of the conference while Dr.
aimed to promote the development of Buddhist studies in Ching Thing Ho, Head, HBRC was the co-organizing
Southeast Asia, strengthen the interaction between local and chairperson. The main organizers of the Conference were Fo
overseas scholars, and enhance UM research about the field Guang Shan (Singapore) & HBRC, UM with the Buddha’s
of humanities, history, culture, the teachings of the Buddha Light Association (Singapore) & Buddha’s Light Association
and Humanistic Buddhism. (Singapore) Young Adult Division as the co-organizer.

Emeritus Professor Dr. Lewis Lancaster from the University of
California, Berkeley, as the keynote speaker, delivered his
paper titled “Mapping the Spread of Buddhism: Caravans and
Sailing Ships”. The paper presenters included Dr Lai Suat Yan
as the Deputy Head, the Humanistic Buddhist Research
Centre (HBRC) of Universiti Malaya (UM) with the paper titled
“In Betwixt Genderless and Gendered: The Life and
Contributions of Fo Guang Shan Female Monastics at Dong
Zen Temple” and Dr. Ma Ying, postdoctoral research fellow, Opening Ceremony with Ven. Jue Cheng, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang
HBRC, with the paper titled “The Power of Humanistic Shan for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia seated in the
Buddhist Organization: A Case Study of the Interaction middle front row and next to her Prof. Datuk Dr. Danny Wong Tze
Ken, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Between the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple and the
Jenjarom Chinese New Village in Malaysia”.

The Conference also attracted scholars from Singapore,
Pakistan, China, and the Philippines. In memory of Master
Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan who passed away
recently, a memorial symposium was also held in the evening.
Ven. Jue Cheng, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan for
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia gave the
opening remarks while the opening speech was by Prof.
Datuk Dr. Danny Wong Tze Ken, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Dr Lai Suat Yan, Deputy Head, HBRC and Senior Lecturer, GSP
and Social Sciences. presenting her paper at the Conference.

Seminar- Fraternal Function in Migration:
Reshaping Malaysia-Indonesia Future

Relationship
Department of Social Administration and Justice, FASS along
with Malaysian Population and Migration Research Centre, By Assoc Prof Dr Mashitah Hamidi
Universiti Malaya organized a seminar titled ‘Fraternal
Function in Migration: Reshaping Malaysia-Indonesia Future
Relationship’ on June 20, 2023. Over 200 participants
gathered to hear His Excellency Hermono, Ambassador,
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur. H.E
Hermono highlighted the need for stronger people-to-people
or fraternal ties in the context of tensions arising due to
migration from one country to the other. The talk unpacked
the role of the Embassy as a bridge to these unresolved
issues. Professor Datuk Dr. Danny Wong Tze Ken, Dean,
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences welcomed the Above: H.E Hermono
participants. The seminar was officiated by Ms. Kendra Rinas, delivering the speech
Chief of Mission International Organization for Migration
(IOM). The closing remarks were delivered by Professor Dr.
Hanafi Hussin, Head Malaysian Population and Migration A token of appreciation to Ms.Kendra Rinas, Chief of
Research Centre Universiti Malaya. Mission International Organization for Migration (IOM).
9 | Pulse@FASS