Mr. Shyamon Jayasinghe

Telephone Number: +61 3 87074604, +61 0402025516
Email Address: shyamonjayasinghe @gmail.com sjturaus@optusnet.com.au

Mr. Shyamon Jayasinghe lives in Australia. He is Sri Lankan in origin and was born in Colombo in 1936. As a young undergraduate, Shyamon Jayasinghe read philosophy at the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. He was President of the students’ union at the University. After University, Shyamon Jayasinghe served the Sri Lanka civil service for many years heading several government departments and Ministries. He has a Master of Public Administration from Sri Lanka and a MBA from the University of Melbourne. He wrote and published two books in the subject of Management. Did Visiting Lectures in the University of Colombo and the Chartered Institute of Accountants, Sri Lanka. He has travelled extensively.

In the year 1994 Shyamon Jayasinghe retired from the Sri Lanka civil service and migrated to Australia with his family where he set up business as a book trader. He is now Proprietor,Turamali (Australia) Book Distributors. Over the last ten years, Shyamon revived his academic engagement with the subject of philosophy. His special area of interest is in the multi-disciplinary study of religion and has written many papers on the subject. Shyamon is an active member of the Buddhist Meditation Centre at Dandenong, in the State of Victoria, Australia.

Shyamon is also active in community service. He has just been elected the President of the Lions Club of Dandenong. In recognition of his valuable work Shyamon won the prestigious Melvin Jones fellow award for outstanding community and social service given by Lions International Foundation, New York. In his younger days, Shyamon also had a sideline interest and engagement with stage drama where he had distinguished himself as a superb performer.

Education:
B.A (Hons) Philosophy, Sri Lanka
Master of Public Administration, Sri Lanka
M.B.A University of Melbourne

Buddhist Projects/Experiences:
Member Dandenong Buddhist Meditation Centre
Participation in Seminars, Discussions

Work Experiences:
ivil Servant in Sri Lanka. Headed many Government Departments and Ministries
Participated in International Seminars
Author of two published books

Present Roles:
Proprietor, Turamali (Australia) Book Distributors President, Lions Club of Dandenong, Victoria Australia

Venerable Bhante Chao Chu

Venerable Bhante Chao Chu is the Abbot of Rosemead Buddhist Monastery and the president of the Los Angeles Buddhist Union (LABU). Born in Sri Lanka, he ordained to the Buddhist monastic order in 1964, graduating from the Buddhist College in 1970. He spent a number of years in studies through the seventies that included language studies at the University of Nan Jing in China as well as in Hong Kong. Fluent in Mandarin, he travels extensively throughout Asia giving lectures as a teacher of Buddhism. Many of the themes in his talks center on how to lead a life of harmony and balance that gives regard for people, living beings and the environment.

Since coming to the United States in 1981, he has been involved in numerous interfaith and inter-Buddhist activities in Los Angeles that include leadership roles such as president of the Center for Buddhist Development, executive committee member of the World Fellowship of Buddhists and the World Buddhist Sangha Council, and vice president of the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California. He is also an executive committee member of International Committee of the United Nations Day of Vesak and an advisor for the International Association of Buddhist Universities.

Venerable Bhante Chao Chu received a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from California State University of Los Angeles and a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from the University of Kelaniya. He also founded and is very active in the Bosath Children’s Education Foundation which helps underprivileged children by providing them free education in computer learning and English. The learning centers are located in different parts of Asia and especially in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Brooke Schedneck

Telephone Number : 0821844580
Email Address : brooke@iseaa.org

Dr. Brooke Schedneck is Lecturer in Buddhist Studies at the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs at Chiangmai University, Thailand. She holds a Ph.D. in Asian Religions from Arizona State University. The title of her upcoming monograph through Routledge’s series Contemporary Asian Religions is Thailand’s International Meditation Centers: Tourism and the Global Commodification of Religious Practices. She has been published in The Buddhist Studies Review, The Pacific World Journal, The Journal of Contemporary Religion and Contemporary Buddhism and maintains a research website called Wandering Dhamma.

Education :
Ph.D., Arizona State University, Religions of Asia, 2012
M.T.S., Harvard University, World Religions, 2005
B.A., Boston University, cum laude Religious Studies, 2002

Buddhist Projects/Experiences :

Books
“Thailand’s International Meditation Centers: Tourism and the Global Commodification of Religious Practices,” Routledge, Contemporary Asian Religions Series, 2015.

Refereed Articles
“Meditation for Tourists in Thailand: Commodifying a Universal and National Symbol” Journal of Contemporary Religion. Vol. 29, No. 3, October, 2014, pp. 439-456.
“Tourism, Nature, Healing, and Dissent: The Plurality of International Meditators in Thailand” Rian Thai: International Journal of Thai Studies. Vol. 6, 2013, pp. 1-24.
“The Decontextualization of Asian Practices in the Context of Globalization” Special Issue: Globalization and Theories of Religion. Journal for Cultural and Religious Studies. Vol. 12, No. 3, Spring 2013, pp. 36-54.
“Forest as Challenge, Forest as Healer: Reinterpretations and Hybridity within the Forest Tradition in Thailand” Pacific World Journal. Number 13, Fall 2011, pp 1-24.
“Constructions of Buddhism: Autobiographical Moments of Western Monks’ Experiences of Thai Monastic Life.” Contemporary Buddhism. Volume 12, Issue 2, November 2011, pp. 327-346.

Book Chapters
“Buddhist International Organizations” Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Buddhism. Michael Jerryson, ed. Oxford University Press [Forthcoming].
“The Rise of Female Meditation Teachers in Southeast Asia.” Women and Asian Religions. Zayn Kassam, ed. Women and Religion in the World Series, Praeger [Forthcoming].

Work Experiences :
Assistant Director, Comparative Religion and Culture Program, Long Island University Global, September 2012-August 2013
Faculty Associate, Arizona State University, July 2010- May 2011, September 2012-December 2012
Adjunct Lecturer, Payap University, Chiangmai, Thailand, Spring 2011, Spring 2012
Adjunct Lecturer, Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya Buddhist University, Chiangmai Campus, Thailand, October 2010-March 2011
Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant, Arizona State University, August 2007- May 2009

Present Roles :
Lecturer in Buddhist Studies, Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs, Chiangmai University, August 2013-present

Dr. Hujiang Li

Telephone Number : +86-13518194968
Email Address : 407013051@qq.com

During the first six years after my graduation from college, I was working as a Junior high school teacher in Pingnan County, Fujian Province,P.R.China. In 2005, I was admitted to Sichuan University as a postgraduate student. From September 2005 to July 2014, I was working towards my Master/PhD degree in Chinese Buddism in Sichuan University, which was very helpful to my future career. During this period, from September 2011 to August 2013, I was a visiting PhD student of Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany. I have published papers in the journals of China Religion, The Voice of Dharma and Religious Studies. Nowadays, I am a researcher in the center for Chinese historical post-doctoral studies in Fujian Normal University, P.R.China. My present research direction is Chinese Buddhist history.

My research interests also include Contemporary Buddhist movement and Morden Chinese Buddhist Charity. In addition,I am an active volunteer, devoting a lot of my energy and time to spreading Chinese Chan Buddhism on various occasions.

Education :
Ph.D. , Sichuan University, Chengdu, 2014. Chinese Buddhism.
Ph.D. candidate, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, 2011.9-2013.8 Chinese Buddhism.
Ph.D. candidate, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 2009.9-2011.8 Chinese Buddhism.
M.A., Sichuan University, Chengdu, 2008. Chinese Buddhism.

Buddhist Projects/Experiences :
“Blue Ocean Strategy Applied in the Management and Aministration by Modern Buddhist Organizations—Illustrated through Case Study of Foguangsan Order”:Journal of Southwest University for Nationalities(Humanities and Social Science), 2010 Vol.Issue 9,p109-113.

“Zen State and Art State”(The 1st author):China Religion, 2010 Vol.Issue 9,p53-54.

“Cultural Integration and Blend--Review on Features of Shaoqi Chan in Chushan”: Religious Studies, 2007 Vol.Issue 4.p207-209.

“The outline of Master Tai Xu’s Creating the Universal Buddhist Academy”: MT Wutai Researches,2014 Vol.Issue 1,p44-47.

“Buddhism dream and China dream”,The Voice of Dharma, 2014 Issue 7,p41-43.

“Buddhist organizations and charity thought in the early of the republic of China”,The Voice of Dharma, 2015 Issue 2,p39-43.

Work Experiences :
Konglin Buddhist Institute of Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu, Sichuan,China, Religion Management teacher, 2010.9-2011.6

Present Roles :
Researcher in the center for Chinese historical post-doctoral studies in Fujian Normal University

Venerable Shi Yuande

Telephone Number: +66962902918
Email Address: shiyuande@outlook.com

Education:
M.A. graduate of Buddhist Arts, International Buddhist College of Thailand
Bachelor & Masters of Medical Science, Central Southern University, China. (1997-2004)
Leaside High School, 200 Hanna Rd, Toronto Canada. (1995-1997)

Buddhist Projects/Experiences:
2014: Young Buddhist Monastic Members and the Modern Society, 11th United Nation Vesak Conference, Vietnam.
2015: A Comparative and Critical Study of Mahäprajäpatï-Sütra. Lap-Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN: 978-3-659-68198-1.
2015: Damming on the Mekong River in the Guise of Developments: Buddhist Response. IJSSH, Singapore. ISNN: 2101-3646.
2015: Contribution towards the Peace and Happiness of ASEAN Community through the Practice of Filial Piety in Buddhism. Selected by 12th United Nation Vesak Conference, Thailand.
Training under the Mahayana Buddhist philosophy in National Buddhist University of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (2010. 4--2013. 5).
Renouncing as a novice monk in Hamrong Chan Monastery of Vietnamese Bamboo-Grave Chan lineage. (April 2008).

Asst. Prof. Dr. Sushma Trivedi

Dr. Sushma Trivedi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Navyug Kanya P.G. College, University of Lucknow, Lucknow. She was awarded the Degree of Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University in 1997. She specializes in Economic History of India and Buddhist Studies. Dr. Trivedi has participated and presented papers in over twenty national and international Seminars and Conferences. She has published research papers in reputed and referred Research Journals. Presently she is involved in a Major Research Project on Buddhist site of Ratnagiri,India.

Area of Research Interest
Silk route studies,Buddhist Art and Iconography,Multiculturalism etc.

Dr. Petcharat Lovichakorntikul

Telephone Number : 086 303 5067
Email Address : lovicha@yahoo.com

Petcharat Lovichakorntikul is a lecturer at Shinawatra International University and research fellow at SIU Research Centre. She earned a B.A. in Marketing from Chulalongkorn University and in Liberal Arts from Ramkhamkhaeng University, and an M.S. in Leadership and Management from University of La Verne, CA, U.S.A. Her dissertation emphasizes on Buddhist principles for Human Resource Development of Professionals in the healthcare business in Thailand.

She is also teaching novice monks at the Traimbuddhasart school, Prachin Buri Province, which is for young novices who are preparing to be Buddhist monks or good citizens in the future. She deeply involves in morality, ethics, education and young adult. Her previous working experiences were in the public enterprise, private sector, and non-profit organization both in Thailand and abroad. She has been practicing meditation since she was in the high school level and still loves to learn new things from all aspects and diverse cultures.

Education :
1. Ph.D. in Management Science, Shinawatra International University, Thailand
2. M.S. in Leadership and Management, University of La Verne, USA
3. B.B.A. in Marketing, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
4. B.A. in Thai and Mass Communication, Rankhamkaeng University, Thailand

Buddhist Projects/Experiences :
1. The Path of Progress (Dhamma Quiz) for all students and people in Thailand
2. The World-PEC (Dhamma Quiz) for all everyone worldwide
3. The Mass Ordination for male students and men

Work Experiences :
Teacher, Executive Director

Present Roles :
1. Peer Reviewer of Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies (Southeast Asia)
2. Peer Reviewer of SIU Journal (Shinawatra International University)
3. Committee of World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY)

Mr. Thaweesak Chooma

Telephone Number : (086) 9004492 Fax : (056) 274366
Email Address : thaweesak.cho@mahidol.ac.th, thaweesak007@gmail.com

Mr. Thaweesak Chooma is a lecturer at Mahidol University, Nakhon Sawan Campus. In this role, he manages all aspects of research and development in teaching English as a foreign language, curriculum and instruction, and so on. He holds the Bachelor and Master Degree in English. He is a Ph.D. candidate (TEFL) at Silpakorn University in Thailand and joins internship and study visit program which has been jointly offered by San Jose State University, California, USA.

Mr. Thaweesak has 15 years of academic experiences. His past positions include Head of the office, Faculty of Science and Technology, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand and Head of Academic Section, JGSEE (international program) King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand.

Education :
2014 PhD. (TEFL), Silpakorn University, Thailand, (candidate) (Internship and Study Visit at San Jose State University, California, USA.)
2001 M.A. (English Literature), University of Mysore, INDIA
1999 B.A. (English), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand

Current Researches :
(1) Development of instructional model using task-based leaning (TBL) with communication strategies (CSs) to enhance English speaking skills for public health students. (Doctoral research)
(2) The Procedure of Creation and Applying the Thai Wisdoms of the Local Scholars in Nakhonswan Province, National Research Council of Thailand Grant, 2015, (co- researcher)
(3) Managemant of Chansean Archaeology Source Chansean Subdistrict Takhee District Nakhon Sawan Province. (co-researcher)

Publications:
1.) Chooma, T. The Influence of Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT) for English Reading Comprehension on Ability of Thai Undergraduate Students. Proceedings of 24th International Conference on Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. 25-29 March, 2013, New Orleans, USA., pp. 3479-3481, 2013
2.) Srikote S., Chooma T. "Developing the Text Content as Multimedia Computer Lesson of the Basic English Subject for the First Year Monk Students, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Loei Buddhist College." Langlit an International Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal, Vol. 1, Issue - 1, 10-17 Aug, 2014
3.) Srikote S., Chooma T. The effects of English teaching and learning strategies in relation to reading ability among Buddhist high school students in Thailand. Proceedings of TEFL Shanghai, October 25, 2014
4.) Chooma T., Bulsathaporn A., Nareerak P. A Study of Oral Communication Strategies Used by Environmental Health Students. National and International Research Conference 2015: NIRC 2015. Burirum, Thailand. pp. 49-57. 23 January 2015.

Other Publications : (Thai)
1.) ทวีศักดิ์ ชูมา ฟุต ฟิต ฟอ ไฟ ในสำนักงาน (Secretarial English) วารสารวิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี มหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏสวนสุนันทา, 2546
2.) ทวีศักดิ์ ชูมา สวัสดีครับ สวัสดีคะ สำนักพิมพ์ลีดมีแฟมิลี ประชาอุทิศ กรุงเทพ, 2552

Membership:
Thailand TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Mr. Jeff Waistell

Telephone Number : 44 7725147066
Email Address : jwaistell@brookes.ac.uk

Education :
P.G. Cert. in Teaching & Learning in H.E. Open University 1999-2000
MBA (distinction in strategy) Open University 1994-1996
DMS (distinction) Teesside University 1992-1993
MA in Social Work Nottingham University 1982-1984
Certificate of Qualification in Social Work Nottingham University 1982-1984
BA in General Arts (Honours B) Durham University 1976-1980

Buddhist Projects/Experiences :
I regularly visit Amaravati Temple (UK) and I am a panellist at each UNDV conference.

Work Experiences :
Oxford Brookes University; Senior Lecturer, Department of Business and Management,
2005 – current (half-time post converted to full-time post in 2007); Associate since 2003. Open University; Lecturer in Management (half-time) 2002-2007 Associate Lecturer 1998 – current.
The Fremantle Trust; Director of Care Services, 1995-1997.
Gateshead City Council; Group Leader, 1994-1995.
Cleveland County Council; Manager, Resource Team Manager, Inspector, Principal Quality Assurance Officer, 1989-1994.
Newcastle City Council; Deputy Manager, 1988-1999.
Durham County Council, Neighbourhood Worker, 1986-1988.
Birmingham City Council, Social Worker, 1984-1986.
[Full-time student at Nottingham University, 1982-1984].
LB of Hammersmith & Fulham, Residential Social Worker, 1980-1982.

Present Roles :
Oxford Brookes University; Senior Lecturer, Department of Business and Management.

Miss Saw Yeemon

Telephone Number : (95) 9 797 303 541
Email Address : sawyeemon@gmail.com

Saw Yee Mon has got her B.A (Hons.) in English from Yangon University and her B.Sc. in Accounting & Finance from L.S.E, University of London. She obtained Master in Public Administration (M.P.A) from Yangon Institute of Economics. Besides, she has completed NCC International Diploma in Computer Studies from UK, Certificate in Business Law from Y.U, a Course on American Literature from USIS (Yangon) and a Course on Critical Thinking for ELT Teachers from Oregon State University, U.S.A.

She attended IATSS Forum for Young Leaders in Suzuka, Japan; ASEAN Young Leaders' Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia; Training Program on Introduction and Implementation of Bar Code for Business Efficiency, organized by Ministry of Commerce, Thailand; RELO Conference organized by US Embassy in Seoul, South Korea; academic conferences held by the UN and Thai universities in Bangkok, Thailand and recently has attended an institute named Transitional Justice and Economic Development organized by the US State Department in Boston, USA.

Saw Yee Mon is a member of Royal Economics Society (Great Britain), Myanmar Industries Association (MIA), and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI). She also belongs to IFG Women's Group and Centre for Buddhist Studies. She is a fellow of Women in Public Service Project (WPSP), an initiative launched by US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. She writes papers and articles on religion, ethics and economics, and her published papers are archived by the United Nations, International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU) and Mahachularlonkong University in Thailand. She is the founder of Community Service Network for Youth (CSNY).

She received Awakening Leadership Award of Thailand in May 2012.

Currently, she is working as a private lecturer in Economics and Business Studies. She also conducts corporate trainings and special workshops on Business English and Buddhist Ethics. Moreover, she is a freelance Business Development Advisor to small and medium enterprises in Myanmar.

Education :
B.A (Honours) English, University of Yangon
B.Sc. (Accounting & Finance), London School of Economics &Political Science
MPA (Master of Public Administration), Yangon Institute of Economics

Buddhist Projects/Experiences :
Reader and Researcher in Buddhism. Organizer and Instructor of two workshops for youth:
(1) Fundamentals of Buddhism
(2) Buddhist Ethics

Work Experiences :
Editor & Contributor at Business Information Group (2003 to 2005)
Part-time Lecturer at Regent Business Academy (2006-2011)
Research Analyst at The Chambers (International Law Firm) (2005 to 2009)

Present Roles :
Secretary General of Alumni of IATSS Myanmar Founder and President of Community Service Network for Youth (CSNY)

Mr. Khanh Tran

Telephone Number : 1-(714)679-7363
Email Address : amiktt@yahoo.com

Mr. Tran is the founder of AMI Environmental, a private consulting firm in Nevada, USA. He has over 35 years of experience in computer modeling, air quality and wind energy studies. He has served as consultant to US government agencies, industrial companies and environmental organizations. Since 2001, he has founded and operated the website vnbaolut.com that provides daily weather and tropical storm forecasts for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. He also developed software to translate Mahayana texts from Chinese to English and Vietnamese. He received his degrees in Engineering from the University of California.

Education :
M.S., Engineering, University of California (1974)

Buddhist Projects/Experiences :
Computer translation of Chinese Buddhist Texts to English and Vietnamese (2006-present)

Work Experiences :
35 years of experience as an air pollution consultant to US government, private industry and environmental organizations

Present Roles :
Mr. Tran is the founder of AMI Environmental, a private consulting firm in Nevada, USA. He has over 35 years of experience in computer modeling, air quality and wind energy studies. He has served as consultant to US government agencies, industrial companies and environmental organizations. Since 2001, he has founded and operated the website vnbaolut.com that provides daily weather and tropical storm forecasts for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. He also developed software to translate Mahayana texts from Chinese to English and Vietnamese. He received his degrees in Engineering from the University of California.

Asso. Prof. Dr. Dipti Visuddhangkoon

Telephone Number : 08-4511-6466
Email Address : dipti.visuddhangkoon@yahoo.com

Education : PhD

Buddhist Projects/Experiences:
Research Projects: A critical study of the Mahachat Sung-sermon from Isan; Deconstruction deconstructed: A study of Ajahn Chah in the light of Derridean philosophy Has presented academic papers at many different conferences including the XVI IABS Congress, the XXIII World Congress of Philosophy and ICUNDV Published many books on English conversation for Buddhist monks

Work Experiences :
Teaching English to Buddhist monks and lay students, conducting research projects, guiding theses etc

Present Roles :
Full time faculty member at the Department of Foreign Language, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khonkaen Campus