Shan State Buddhist University in Myanmar hosts international conference to mark 60th anniversary of its founder, Ven. K. Dhammasami

Myanmar's Shan State Buddhist University (SSBU) held a two-day international conference titled "Efforts of Eminent Personalities in Teaching and Practicing Buddhism" at its campus in Taunggyi City, Shan State, on November 7-8.

The event celebrated the 60th birthday of Prof. Venerable K. Dhammasami, the esteemed founder and rector of SSBU. Widely known as the Oxford Sayadaw, Ven. Dhammasami received his DPhil from the University of Oxford and has since been a central figure in promoting Buddhism in the United Kingdom, where he founded the Oxford Buddha Vihara.

“The conference is an important event marking the 60th birthday of the Most (Venerable) Prof. Dr. K. Dhammasami, Founder and Rector of SSBU,” the university said in an announcement for the forum shared with BDG.

Founded in 2014, SSBU is the first Buddhist university in Shan State, offering bachelor’s, postgraduate and master’s degree programmes in Pali and Buddhist studies. Students in these programmes can benefit from a strong emphasis on excellence in textual, philological, philosophical, psychological and doctrinal studies, while engaging with contemporary global issues.

The conference focused on key areas related to the work and lives of prominent local and international figures in the propagation of Buddhism, the historical and modern diffusion of Buddhist meditation, and traditional and innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the Buddhist context.

The seminar included more than 30 presentations, including written presentations and keynote speeches. Due to time constraints and political issues in Myanmar, many presentations were delivered online. The entire program was live-streamed on the SSBU Facebook page to reach a wider audience.

Dr Pyi Phyo Kyaw, a Research Associate at the University of Oxford and former Dean and Senior Lecturer at SSBU, delivered the keynote address entitled “Ashin Adiccavamsa: The First Burmese Bhikkhu in England”. In his presentation, Dr Kyaw highlighted the publication of Ashin Adiccavamsa’s book Bhikkhuni-sasana-upadesa in 1935, an important work advocating a revival of higher ordination for women in Theravada Buddhism.

Professor Kate Crosby, Namuta Professor of Buddhist Studies in the School of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford, spoke about the vital role of female patrons in the early establishment of Buddhist temples in the UK, with a particular focus on Marie Foster, the American philanthropist recognised as the first Hawaiian Buddhist, and Freda Bedi, the Anglo-Indian social worker, writer, Indian nationalist and Buddhist nun.

Professor Crosby recounted the first meeting between Mary Foster and Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933) in the United States, noting how Dharmapala referred to Foster as "my foster mother" in recognition of her contribution to his life.

Dr. Dipen Barua presented a paper in the final session, addressing several controversial issues in the Theravada interpretation of dependent co-arising theory, particularly through the perspective of the famous Thai monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906-1993), who was critical of Buddhaghosa, a XNUMXth-century Buddhist monk and commentator.

According to Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, Buddhaghosa's interpretation of dependent co-arising in the Visuddhimagga The Treatise on Three Lives (Past, Present and Future) introduced the notion of rebirth consciousness which he believed reflected an Indian Brahmanic perspective of self-transmigration. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu argued that this interpretation departed from the Buddha's teachings, leading him to reject Buddhaghosa's interpretation entirely.

However, Dr. Barua stated in his article that it was not Buddhaghosa who introduced the concept of rebirth consciousness, but rather the idea came from the compiler(s) of the book. Patisambhidamaggaa canonical Pali text precursor of the Visuddhimaggawhich was later adopted by Buddhaghosa.

The conference concluded with a detailed report from the moderators and concluding remarks by Ven. Dhammasami. Ven. Vicittabhipala, Pro-Rector of SSBU, expressed his thanks on behalf of the organizers, followed by a sharing of merits with all sentient beings.

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Sunshine State Buddhist University
Shan State Buddhist University (Facebook)
The 11th International Conference on “Efforts of Eminent Personalities in Teaching and Practicing Buddhism” organized by SSBU (Sunshine State Buddhist University)

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