On April 28, the second session of the Buddhist Education Committee under the 11th Council of the Buddhist Association of China convened at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The meeting focused on deepening the educational campaign of “Study the Regulations, Observe the Precepts, Focus on Practice, and Build a Positive Image”, further strengthening and improving work in Buddhist academies, and systematically reinforcing the talent foundation for the Sinicization of Buddhism in China.
Ven. Master Yanjue, President of the Buddhist Association of China, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He comprehensively summarized the Association’s major efforts in Buddhist talent cultivation over the past five years and put forward expectations and requirements for better leveraging the role of the Buddhist Education Committee and effectively enhancing Buddhist personnel training in the future.
During the session, three working group meetings were held, covering the certification of teaching qualifications, the evaluation of professional titles, and the academic rank system for Chinese Buddhist academies nationwide. The following items were reviewed and approved:
The Five-Year Work Plan of the 11th Council’s Buddhist Education Committee; revised versions of the Working Rules for the Working Group on Teaching Qualification Certification in Chinese Buddhist Academies; the Working Rules for the Working Group on Professional Title Evaluation for Teachers in Chinese Buddhist Academies; and the Working Rules for the Working Group on the Academic Rank System in Chinese Buddhist Academies; the review opinions of the Working Group on Teaching Qualification Certification on teaching qualifications; the review opinions submitted by the Working Group on the Academic Rank System concerning the awarding of a master’s degree (academic rank) by the Buddhist Academy of China; the Guiding Opinions on Undergraduate and Diploma Programs in Chinese Buddhist Academies.
Furthermore, expert appointment letters were presented, in the order of the three working groups, to Wei Dedong, He Jianming, Zhang Fenglei, Ji Huachuan, Li Silong, Xu Wenming, and Wang Song.
Ven. Master Minghai, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, and Long Xing, Secretary-General of the Buddhist Association of China, attended the meeting. Also present were Ven. Master Guangquan, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and Director of the 11th Council’s Buddhist Education Committee, as well as other committee deputy directors, members, and representatives of relevant experts and scholars. Representatives of the Supervisory Board of the Buddhist Association of China attended as observers.
