There are seventeen papers in this session. The papers in this session address how different nations and political leaders have used Buddhist principles to improve our modern societies. Our Buddhist scholars are challenging: globalization; the characteristics of good leaders; kamma, eliminating the constructed distinctions amongst all sentient beings (animals, plants, and humans) through developing spiritual wisdom.
Poetry has influenced endeavors to protect our social environments, and classic-literature continues to guide our authors (Schumacher's: 'Small is Beautiful') - and it is the hopes of our authors that additional measures by corporate entities and national leaders absorb these principles and act in more ethical ways, in this way: the society improves, leaders develop greater spiritual qualities. Socialism, as influenced by Buddhist principles is also discussed, and endeavors demonstrating the value of engaged Buddhist monks and doctors assisting in recovering from natural disasters and the additional lack of material support strive to improve society. There are different national Buddhist cultures presented in these writings: discussions take us inside Nepal, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Uganda, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere - any place where greed, hatred or delusion can be eliminated, these papers become useful.
This panel is important to have in our conference, because national leaders have moved beyond the principles that have made us civil, within our civilizations. People have been fighting against over-development, and these papers address the common theme of using Buddhist principles to re-approach the future of our planet of we are to survive.
Moderator Name
1
Chief Moderator (Session 1)
Prof. G.A. Somaratne
Sri Lanka Prof. G.A. Somaratne is Rector of Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) and is Co-Director of Dhammachai Tipitaka Project of the Dhammachai Institute, Thailand. Prior to joining SIBA, he was Professor and Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya.
2
Moderator (Session 1)
Dr. Thanom Butruang
Thailand
3
Moderator (Session 2)
Ven. Dr. Phra Rajvoramuni
Thailand Ven. Dr. Phra Rajvoramuni received his B.A.(Philosophy) from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, M.A.(Linguistics), M.Phil., Ph.D.(Linguistics) from Delhi University, India, and the highest level of Buddhist Theology, Pali IX. Currently, he is dean of the faculty of Buddhism, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
4
Moderator (Session 2)
Dr. Siddharth Singh
India Dr. Siddharth Singh is teaching Pali Language, literature and Buddhist Studies at Under-graduate and Post-graduate level and supervising Ph. D. research scholars for last 12 years as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U.), Varanasi, India.
5
Moderator (Session 3)
Ven. Prof. Dr. Bhikshu Satyapala India
Ven. Prof. Dr. Bhikshu Satyapala received his M.A. (Buddhist Philosophy) from Magadh University and Ph.D. in Concept of Death in Early Buddhist Literature from University of Delhi. Currently, he is professor at University of Delhi and has been teaching there since 1981.
6
Moderator (Session 3)
Dr. Suvin Ruksat Thailand Dr. Suvin Ruksat received his B.A. Ed. from Mahachalalongkorn Rajvidayalaya University, M.A. (Buddhist Studies) and Ph.D. (Buddhist Studies) from University of Delhi. Currently, he is Assistant Professor, President of Buddhist Studies Department, and Secretary of Ph.D. Program in Buddhist Studies, Mahamakut Buddhist University.
Panelist Name and Paper title
1
The Role of Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks in Disaster Management (Two case studies from Tsunami and War affected areas)
Ven. Dr. Pinnawala Sangasumana
Sri Langka Ven. Pinnawala Sangasumana is a senior lecturer attached to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. He was awarded a PhD degree for his qualitative study on conceptualizing conflict-induced internal displacement in Sri Lanka. He already has several publications in edited volumes and conference proceedings.
2
The Role of a Missionary: A Buddhist Perspective
Ven. Bhikkhu Buddharakkhita
Africa Ven. BhikkhuBuddharakkhita was born and raised in Uganda, Africa. He first encountered Buddhism in 1990 while living in India. He is the founder of the Uganda Buddhist Center in Uganda and has been teaching meditation in Africa, Australia, Brazil, and the U.S. Besides spending time at the Buddhist Center in Uganda.
3
Ethics of Intention and of Effect: Making decisions on how to act in a world full of need
Dh. Karunamati (Dr. Jane Stephens)
Welsh Karunamati is a Doctor of Medicine and splits her time between working as a family doctor in London and working in Nepal. She is currently the Director of the Green Tara Trust, which works in the arena of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Nepal. Karunamati has been a Buddhist since she was 18 years old, and is Ordained within the Triratna Buddhist Order.
4
ECONOMIC WELFARE THROUGH SPIRITUAL WELFARE
Sudhamek AWS (Agoeng Waspodo Soenjoto)
Indonesia He is CEO of Tudung Group and Chairman of the Buddhist Religion Assembly in Indonesia, MBI. He obtained B.A. in Economics and Laws from Christian University of Satya Wacana, Indonesia. He has earned various awards and was country representative in World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005.
5
Role of Ethics in Socio-Economic Development: A Buddhist Perspective
Prof. Emeritus Dr. P.D. Premasiri
Sri Lanka P.D. Premasiri obtained Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in 1980. He was awarded the status of Professor Emeritus, Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya in 2007. Premasiri has served as visiting Professor, researcher and Dhamma teacher in a number of foreign universities
6
Thai Sufficiency Economics Perspectives
Dr. Dion Oliver Peoples
United States of America Dr. Dion Oliver Peoples earned his PhD in Buddhist Studies from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in 2009, with his dissertation being: Utilization and Application of the Sangiti Sutta. He currently lectures in the Faculty of Buddhism at MCU - former courses included: Abhidhamma-Pitaka; History of Buddhism; and currently lectures in World Religions, and Research and Literature in Thai Buddhism.
7
The Buddhist Solution for the Deficiencies of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Kovács Gábor László
Hungary Gábor Kovács received his master's degree at The Dharma Gate Buddhist College, Budapest. His thesis was prepared about Buddhist economics. He is now a PhD student at the Business Ethics Center of the Corvinus University of Budapest. His research areas are business ethics, Buddhist economics and spiritual value-orientations in entrepreneurship. Currently he is working in a research project about ecological sustainability.
8
Buddhist Virtues: The Foundations of Socio-Economic Development - A Study
Dr. D. Gopalakrishna
India Dr. D. Gopalakrishna, MBA, M. Com, LL.B., has received Ph. D. for his thesis entitled "Impact of Buddhism on Modern Management - A Study". Since 1998, he has been working as a faculty member and now he is working as Director (In-Charge) at the Post Graduate -MBA- Department (CBSMS), Bangalore University.
9
Globalization Vis-À-Vis Buddhist Social, Economic And Political Concerns
Dr. Siddharth Singh
India Dr. Siddharth Singh is teaching Pali Language, literature and Buddhist Studies at Under-graduate and Post-graduate level and supervising Ph. D. research scholars for last 12 years as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U.), Varanasi, India.
10
Dr .B. R. Ambedkar’s Role in the Revival of Buddhism and Its Impact on Socio-Economic Development of Ignored Humanity in India
Ravi Shankar Singh
India Ravi Shankar Singh is an Assistant Professor of Buddhist Studies at Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya Wardha Inadia. He had completed his graduation from Magadh University Bodhgaya. Further he obtained Master & M.Phil degree in subject of Buddhism from Delhi University.
11
Karma, Tantra, Action Dharma: Liberation and Engagement
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Scherer
United Kingdom Prof. Dr. Burkhard Scherer, born 1971 in Germany, is a Reader (=Associate Professor) in Religious Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University (U.K.) and a Professor of Indo-Tibetan Studies of the International Institute of Tibetan and Asian Studies (ITAS) in Spain.
12
Life Liberation in Chinese Buddhism
Lei Xiaoli
China Miss Lei Xiaoli received her Master Degree from Renmin University of China, and now is doing her Ph.D in MCU
13
Buddhist Leadership and Socio-Economic Development
Mrs. Réjane Serra
France Réjjane Serra graduated master degree in Sociology from the University Marc Bloch of Strasbourg, her research was during three years about the study of the special situation of Alsace-Moselle (one region of France). She is working since 2006 in the Solidarity and Health Office of the city council of Strasbourg. She is a member of EBU, the European Buddhist Union since 2009.
14
Practicing Buddhist Principles in the Japanese Business World: Kazuo Inamori’s Thought
Dr. Kieko Obuse
Japan Dr. KiekoObuse has obtained a doctorate from the Univeristy of Oxford with a thesis on Doctrinal Accommodation in Buddhist-Muslim Relations with Special Reference to Contemporary Japan. She is the author of "Muslim Doctrine of Prophethood in the Context of Buddhist-Muslim Relations in Japan: Is the Buddha a Prophet?"
15
The Origins and Contemporary Manifestation of Taiwanese Engaged Buddhism
Angela Dietrich
United Kingdom Angela Dietrich was one of the few westerners ever to enroll formally at Tribhuvan University. Her doctoral thesis is published under the title Tantric Healing in the Kathmandu Valley and is a comparative study of Hindu and Buddhist (spiritual or tantric) ritual healing traditions primarily catering to the marginalised elements in society.
Secretary
Panel Secretary
Dr. Konit Srithong
Dr. Konit Srithong received B.A.(Buddhist), M.A., Ph.d. and Education of Theology, Pali VII, Currently, he is assistant professor and head of Department of Sociology and Humanity, Faculty of Social Science, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
