
Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa Participates in the Second Taiwan Tibetan Buddhist Forum Held at Hsuan Chuang University.
Taipei: Under the guidance of the Office of Tibet, the second conference of Tibet Buddhist Centres based in Taiwan was successfully held. This event was organised in collaboration with the University of Tibetan Buddhist Research Centre and the International Tibetan Buddhism Study Institute, under the joint organisation of the Society of Lab Sum Buddhist College. The focus of the gathering was a scholarly discussion on the translation of Buddhist canonical texts specifically the Kangyur and Tengyur across three languages: Tibetan, Chinese, and Sanskrit was held for one and a half days on 16-17January 2025 at the University.
The conference commenced with opening speeches delivered by Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa from the Office of Tibet, Ven Shi Zhaohui, Principal Jian Shaoqi, President of the Tibetan Buddhism Research Centre, Vice President of the Taiwan International Tibetan Buddhism Research Association Geshe Nang Nang and the Office of Tibet’s consultant Chen Mingru all shared their insight.
Taiwan Tibetan Buddhist Forum saw the participation of 20 distinguished scholars from Tibet and Taiwan, all of who have been long involved in the research, translation, teaching and instruction of Buddhist texts in Tibetan, Chinese and Sanskrit. These scholars submitted seven academic papers and 13 short discussion papers for review and deliberation. Additionally, during the one-and-a-half-day conference, they held in-depth discussions on: standardising terminology for translating major Buddhist texts, establishing an online network for periodic discussion, methods for nurturing translators, ways to sustain this platform for discussion and expanding the Tibetan studies research centre in Taiwan for the future. Other suggestions were made, particularly regarding the need to correct the excessive use of terms like Dharma King, Kyabgon and Gongsa for high lamas when addressing high lamas.
The first morning session was chaired by Representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa. Special invitees from Dharamshala included Tenzin Khyenrab, a technical specialist from the Monlam Project and Yeshe Lhundrub, a researcher from the Taiwan-based Buddhist Centre. They gave an insightful presentation in English regarding a project on how scientific technology can assist and support the translation of major Buddhist texts.
The second-day session focused on the first publication of scholarly articles. The session was chaired by Ven Shi Zhaohui. Tenzin Namdrol Rinpoche, a philosophy teacher from the Office of Tibet, presented his paper “Analysis of Linguistic and Grammatical Differences in Tibetan-Chinese Translation.” Following by Professor Chen Yibiao from Fo Guang University along with PhD student Zheng Meimei, delivered a joint presentation on the comparison of Tibetan term translation comparison with modern languages, contributing insight into challenges and refinement of translation across linguistic boundaries.
The third session was presided over by Xiao Jingsong a former professor at Taiwan’s National Chengchi University. The session featured two prominent presentations. Professor Sonam Wangyal from Fo Guang University presented “Examining Various Issues in Tibetan-Chinese Translation of Classical Texts,” and Professor Li Shenghai from Taiwan University presented “Analysis of six Chinese translations of the Vajracchedikā Sūtra also known as Diamond Sutra.” A discussion followed the presentations. Following these presentations, a lively discussion took place allowing participants to further explore the topics raised.
The fourth and fifth sessions were held as round table discussions. The fourth session was presided over by Ven Tenzin Namdrol Rinpoche a Buddhist teacher at the Office of Tibet Taiwan, Ven Tenzin Namdrol Rinpoche, with presentations by Professor Xiao Jingsong, Chairman Professor Chen Shengyi, Geshe Thubten Norbu (the abbot of Sera Jey Taiwan Monastery) and Lotsawa Shi Ruwang, who each gave introductory speeches related to their respective topics.
The fifth session was chaired by Professor Liu Yuguang from Taiwan Political Science University. The discussants included Dr Marcus Gunzel, Associate Professor of Religion and Culture at Zhongzeng University; Zhang Yuling, President of the Taiwan Religious Women’s Ethics Association; Ven Shi Zhaohui, Director of the Tibetan Buddhist Research Center at Zhongzeng University; and Chen Taixuan, Executive Director. They each gave presentations and engaged in extensive discussions related to their respective topics.
-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Taiwan