2014 Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat
To whom it may concern:
We would like to bring to your attention the summer program < 2014 Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat >, that you may forward the information to any of your undergraduate or graduate students who may be interested, and encourage them to apply.
2014 Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat
What: Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat
Where: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Taiwan RoC
When: 2014, Summer, June 26th 6am to July 24th 5pm—28 days total
Who: 50-60 university / college students or graduates within 3 years after graduation aged 18-35 with an interest in experiencing authentic Chinese Buddhist monastic life How Much: Free! (Travel costs to and from the Retreat not included.) Retreat Website: <<http://www.fgs.org.tw/events/fgmonasticretreat/ >> Apply Online: << Apply Online Here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1r5zCoqGFlW3gotG-sikD5CRy-I3RQeTWWCaJ5BXbNiM/viewform> >> Applications close April 15th 2014
What is the Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat?
The Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat is an opportunity for English speaking university / college students and recent graduates to experience one month of authentic Chinese Buddhist monastic life at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan. The full program features four distinct phases:
A: Orientation, Monastic Life, Buddhist Studies Classes (14 days) A full day of orientation to the monastic lifestyle, followed by two weeks of morning meditation, Buddhist studies classes, getting to know the monastery, vegetarian meals, Dharma talks, and evening chanting.
B: Intensive Chán Meditation Retreat (7 days) Seven days in a silent intensive meditation retreat, putting the theory to practice, to understand the mind as deep as one can go.
C: International Youth Seminar on Life and Chán (4 days) Participation in a large scale modern Buddhist youth conference with over 1000 students from all over the world.
D: Tour of Taiwan (3 days)
Tour the “treasure island” of Taiwan Formosa, seeing the sights, and experiencing the local culture, staying at different temples along the way.
Who should apply?
The Retreat is aimed at and designed for English speaking university / college students and recent graduates aged 18-35 years old who would like to have an authentic experience of Chinese Buddhist monastic life.
Are there any admission fees?
There are no admission fees for the Retreat. For the entire duration of the Retreat, all accommodation, meals and so forth will be covered by Fo Guang Shan Monastery. However, airfare to and from the Monastery in Taiwan, personal expenses, such as buying phone cards, free time snacks or beverages, items and gifts purchased during the cultural tour and so forth, as well as personal hygiene products needed during the retreat will be the student’s own responsibility.
FAQ
* Buddhist monastic ethics take five basic principles as its core:
– To refrain from taking life;
– To refrain from taking what is not given, i.e. theft;
– To refrain from any form of sexual relations;
– To refrain from lying;
– To refrain from taking intoxicants such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (tea, coffee, and prescription medicines are permitted).
* Chinese Buddhist monastic ethics also includes strict (lacto-ovo) vegetarianism. Not only are all meals in the monastery vegetarian, but even bringing meat or meat products into the monastery is prohibited.
– Inability to adhere to the above key rules may lead to the student being asked to leave the Retreat.
* Participants are not required to take any formal Buddhist initiation, tonsure or ordination. Nor are they required to wear monastic robes.
* Participants are not required to shave their heads. However, head and facial hair should be kept tidy and neat.
* Clothing should be appropriately modest, and the uniforms reflect this. During free time out of uniform, please do not wear tank-tops, mini-skirts, or otherwise overly revealing attire.
* While use of personal electronic devices is permitted, such as mobile phones, pads / tablets, laptops, etc. we strongly encourage participants to make the most of an opportunity to be offline during the Retreat.
For any further questions please contact Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat:
< fgmonasticretreat@gmail.com<mailto:fgmonasticretreat@gmail.com> >.
Thank you for your kind attention,
Yours,
(Ven. Dr.)
SHI Huifeng (釋慧峰)
On behalf of the Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat Team http://www.fgs.org.tw/events/fgmonasticretreat/
Office: +886-3-9871000 #27219
Mobile: +886-0-978050109
博士 助理教授 佛教學系
佛光大學 礁溪 台灣
PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Buddhist Studies, Fó Guāng University, Ilan County, Taiwan RoC http://buddhist.fgu.edu.tw/main.php
副住持 佛光山寺 高雄 台灣
Vice Abbot, Fó Guāng Shān Monastery, Kao Hsiung, Taiwan RoC http://www.fgs.org.tw/
Call for Papers: Buddhism and Politics in the Twenty-First Century
Buddhism and Contemporary Society Program
(Funded by the Tung Lin Kok Yuen 東蓮覺苑 Canada Foundation)
Conference: Buddhism and Politics in the Twenty-First Century
University of British Columbia | Friday, June 6 to Saturday, June 7, 2014
Abstracts due: March 13, 2014
Papers due: May 23, 2014
Please submit a 100- word abstract and short bio to: bcsprogram@gmail.com by March 13, 2014 for consideration.
The program committee welcomes proposals for papers from academics, professionals, and graduate students interested by the influence of Buddhism in contemporary politics. The conference will serves as the foundation for an edited volume on that topic.
There is plenty of evidence that Buddhism, like the other major religions, exercise a profound impact in the politics of many countries, on a wide range of issues, from nationalism, concerns over social justice, to environmental protection and the search for alternative modes of economic development. Buddhism even stands out as a major force in the politics of many Asian countries. The Shin Komeito, a political party supported by a large lay Buddhist organization, has joined successive coalition government in Japan for decades. In Thailand and Taiwan, large lay Buddhist associations have been instrumental in opposing elected governments. In Sri Lanka and Burma, Buddhist clerics have been key actors in inter-ethnic and inter-communal conflicts. Buddhist leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Ambedkar, have been, or remain, outspoken in the cause of justice. In sum, Buddhism has inspired a wide variety of political trends. And yet, the influence of Buddhism in politics is poorly understood, relative to our understanding of the influence of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or Hinduism, in contemporary politics and international affairs.
Besides what Buddhist concepts of compassion and impermanence can tell us about the ideals their traditions uphold, what are the practices of governmentality and legitimacy do Buddhist institutions and their leaders condone in countries where Buddhism is an important, if not the central, component of the social fabric? What are the policies and actions do Buddhists sanction? Is there a Buddhist social doctrine on poverty alleviation and the creation of wealth? Where do Buddhists stand on human rights and capital punishment? Where do they stand on issues like same-sex marriage of abortion? The proposed conference aims to understand what are the perspectives and debates among Buddhists about the important issues that face contemporary societies. We do not expect to find a ‘Buddhist way’ at the end of our conference, but rather we want to better understand the different ways in which different Buddhist traditions guide the political ideals of people in contemporary societies.
Our conference welcomes scholars in the disciplines of Buddhist studies, political science, as well as anthropology, sociology and philosophy, to better understand the relevance of Buddhism as systems of thought, institutions, social practices, and lived traditions, in politics. Are there distinctive Buddhist perspectives on politics?
The conference program committee invites proposals for papers that explore the influence of Buddhism on politics, with an emphasis on the modern and contemporary periods. We welcome papers that focus on a specific country, but also those who adopt a comparative perspective, or offer a more theoretical approach. The topics include the following, but they are not limited to:
- Buddhist perspectives on forms of governance
- Buddhism and nationalism
- Buddhist perspectives on conflict resolution, war and peace
- Debates over the role of Buddhism as a state religion
- Buddhism and gender in politics
- Differences between the Mahāyāna and Theravāda traditions on politics
- Buddhist leaders in government or opposition
- Buddhist political parties and pressure groups
- Monastic and lay protest movements
Applicants can cut and paste both their proposal and a short academic CV through submissions at our site at: http://www.ubc.ca/buddhiststudies/conference/
The deadline for submissions is Friday March 13, 2014. Participants will be notified by April 4th if their submission has been successful.
This conference is generously supported by an endowment for the Program on Buddhism and Contemporary Society at The University of British Columbia, made possible by the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation.
Questions about this event may be addressed to Andre Laliberte, Visiting Professor and Chair on Buddhism and Contemporary Society at: andre.laliberte@uottawa.ca , with the subject heading: conference on Buddhism and politics.
Call for Papers: Buddhist Perspectives on the Work of Care
Buddhism and Contemporary Society Programme
Tung Lin Kok Yuen 東蓮覺苑 Canada Foundation
Workshop Buddhist perspectives on the work of care
University of British Columbia | Friday, May 9 to Saturday, May 10, 2014
Abstracts due: March 13, 2014
Papers due: May 23, 2014
Please submit a 100- word abstract and short bio to: bcsprogram@gmail.com by March 13, 2014 for consideration.
The program committee welcomes proposals for papers from academics, professionals, and graduate students interested by the influence of Buddhism on the work of care. The workshop will serves as the foundation for an edited volume or a special issue on that topic in a peer-reviewed journal.
The commodification of the work of care in the Asia-Pacific is emerging as one of the main social trends in the region, as populations are ageing and the structure of a constantly changing workforce exert increasing pressure on families, gender relations, and migration patterns which altogether have upset traditional modes of care-giving often centered on the household. In Japan and the other post-industrial economies of East Asia, the rapid ageing of the population has brought tremendous pressure on the public provision of health care and generated demand for the immigration of care providers to offset gaps in the workforce. In China, the government has responded to the lack of a robust social security with many measures, including the revitalization of family-based care provision. In this broad context, Buddhist institutions have emerged as important providers of social service, especially in long term and end-of-life care. In a broader social context in which gender inequalities in the work force remain rife, Buddhist women play a disproportionate role as provider of care, as lay volunteer but also as nuns.
Buddhist lay associations such as the Tzu Chi Foundation in Taiwan and the Tong Lin Kok Yuen Foundation in Hong Kong have emerged as important actors in the provision of care, with a special emphasis in long term care and end-of-life care, whether by running their own network of accredited general hospitals, like Tzu Chi, or supporting financially institutions for the aged and for mental rehabilitation, like the Tong Lin Kok Yuen Foundation. Even in China, the state is expecting Buddhist institutions to provide relief in crisis situations, and monks are increasingly acting as counselors for people in dire circumstances. In Thailand, where Buddhism is the religion of the majority and where temples used to be major providers of care, they remain last resort option and sources of support for HIV/AIDS victims. In Japan, where the Soka Gakkai is involved in governance in its position in the coalition government, Buddhism stands in a position to shape public policy on care. Yet, very little is known about the viability of Buddhist institutions as actors in the work of care, or about the views of Buddhist Sanghas on caring, beyond these anecdotal evidences. Our workshop seeks to take stock and assess how much Buddhist institutions contribute to the welfare mix of social policies, in particular with respect to the work of care.
Our workshop explores a series of question in relation to these trends, in relation to Buddhism, gender, and the work of care. It welcomes scholars in Buddhist studies, public policy, sociology, anthropology, and history. Questions that will be explored include, but are not limited, to the following:
- How sustainable is that approach as a palliative, if not as an alternative to the approaches relying on family-based care?
- Buddhist perspectives on the idea of care generally, or the idea of long-term and end-of-life care more specifically
- Debates over the role of Buddhist institutions, lay or monastic, as a provider of care
- Buddhism and gendered division of labor
- Differences between the Mahāyāna and Theravāda traditions on the issue of care
Applicants can cut and paste both their proposal and a short academic CV through submissions at our site at: http://www.ubc.ca/buddhiststudies/workshop/
The deadline for submissions is Friday March 13, 2014. Participants will be notified by April 4th if their submission has been successful.
This workshop is generously supported by an endowment for the Program on Buddhism and Contemporary Society at The University of British Columbia, made possible by the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation.
Questions about this event may be addressed to Andre Laliberte, Visiting Professor and Chair of the Buddhism and Contemporary Society Program at: andre.laliberte@uottawa.ca , with the subject heading: workshop on Buddhism and the work of care.
2014 MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship – Application Forms Available
Greetings from the Consulate General of Japan:
The Application Guide and Forms are now available for the Government of Japan’s, 2014 MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship. These documents can be downloaded from the Consulate General of Japan’s website: http://www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/en/culture/mext.htm.
The Japanese Studies Scholarship is aimed at undergraduate students attending university, who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Japanese language, culture and affairs.
Applicants should be:
* Ideally, currently enrolled in the 2nd or 3rd year of a full-time university or have completed at least one full academic year of university studies (by April 2014 for the 2014 scholarship year).
* Undergraduate students at a foreign (non-Japanese) university at the time of arriving in Japan and returning to the same foreign university, after completion of the scholarship, to complete a bachelor’s degree program. (Students transferring from one college/university to another, after completing the scholarship, are not eligible.).
* Born between April 2, 1984 and April 1, 1996 (for the 2014 scholarship year).
* Majoring in Japanese language or fields related to Japanese culture.
* Proficient enough in Japanese language ability to receive education at a Japanese university taught in Japanese.
The term of the scholarship is approximately one year, beginning in October 2014. Allowance is approximately 117,000 yen per month. Flight transportation from the recipients country of nationality to Japan and return is also covered. Terms subject to change.
Application forms may be submitted until Wednesday, March 5, 2014 to the Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver. Selected applicants will be asked to attend an interview and Japanese language examination at the Consulate in March. The exact date and time will be decided in the future.
Sincerely,
Steve Chevalier
Culture and Information Assistant
*********************************
Consulate General of Japan
900-1177 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 2K9
604-684-5868/education@vc.mofa.go.jp
Huayu Enrichment Scholarships
2014 Summer Huayu for UBC Students Scholarship Term of Agreement Form
2014 Summer Huayu for UBC Students Scholarship Guidelines
email: kuoyuchi@mail.ubc.ca
office number 604-822-4131
office hour: M and Th 2-3pm
address: #215 Annex B, Auditorium Building, 1924 West Mall
You can submit your application materials to Lin Laoshi (Chien-ju Lin)
email: chienju.lin@ubc.ca
office number: 604-827-3268
office hour M, T, Th, F 2-3
address: #215 Annex B, Auditorium Building, 1924 West Mall
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Please see attached documents for 2014 Huayu Enrichment scholarships. These scholarships are different from the Summer scholarship and supports degree programs or year-long programs in Taiwan. Please read the guidelines carefully before you apply. Deadline: Mar 25, 2014.
2014 Huayu Scholarship Application Form
2014 Hauyu Enrichment Scholarship Terms of Agreement Form
2014 Huayu Scholarship Guidelines
If you have any questions concerning the scholarship, please contact:
Kuo Laoshi (Yu-chi Kuo)
email: kuoyuchi@mail.ubc.ca
office number 604-822-4131
office hour: M and Th 2-3pm
address: #211 Annex B, Auditorium Building, 1924 West Mall
You can submit your application materials to Lin Laoshi (Chien-ju Lin)
email: chienju.lin@ubc.ca
office number: 604-827-3268
office hour M, T, Th, F 2-3
address: #213 Annex B, Auditorium Building, 1924 West Mall
Chinese Government Scholarships – Now Accepting Applications
The purpose of the scholarships is to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and people around the world, and to develop cooperation and exchange in the fields of education, science, culture, economy and trade between China and other countries.
Full and partial scholarships are offered to successful applicants to study in China.
B.C. high school graduates, post-secondary students and scholars wishing to participate in Chinese language studies, academic study at the undergraduate or graduate level, or research are eligible to apply.
The language of instruction is primarily Chinese. However, the program may sponsor and recommend remedial Chinese language studies for applicants who are not applying for the Chinese language study program.
Eligibility criteria, application forms and procedures and further information about the Chinese Government Scholarship are available on the Ministry of Advanced Education website: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studyabroad/chinese-government-scholarship.htm.
To facilitate this partnership with the Chinese government, the Province of British Columbia has appointed a scholarship committee to adjudicate applications. Recommended applications will be forwarded to the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver and the China Scholarship Council, the People’s Republic of China, for review and approval.
British Columbia applications must be submitted by February 28, 2014.