Pioneering Buddhist Scholars B.D.U.
Most Ven. Dr. Thích Thiên Ân
President - Chancellor (1973 - 1980)
College of Oriental Studies
Most Ven. Dr. Thích Thiên-Ân (September 1926 - November 1980) came to the United States from Vietnam in the summer of 1966 as an exchange professor. He taught philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles. After discovering that he was not only a renowned scholar, but a Zen Buddhist monk, as well, his students convinced him to teach Zen meditation and to start a Buddhist study group on the UCLA campus.
A few years later, his enthusiastic students encouraged Thích Thiên-Ân to apply for permanent residence and open a meditation center that included a place for practitioners to live and study Zen Buddhism. In 1970, he founded the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles, California.
Once established, Thích Thiên-Ân taught the traditions of Zen Buddhism at his center. In addition, he taught Eastern Philosophy and Asian Studies at Los Angeles City College. He retired from teaching at the college when he was diagnosed with liver cancer 1979. He continued teaching at his center until he died in 1980 at the age of 54, succumbing to the effects of the liver cancer. (From Wikipedia.)
A few years later, his enthusiastic students encouraged Thích Thiên-Ân to apply for permanent residence and open a meditation center that included a place for practitioners to live and study Zen Buddhism. In 1970, he founded the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles, California.
Once established, Thích Thiên-Ân taught the traditions of Zen Buddhism at his center. In addition, he taught Eastern Philosophy and Asian Studies at Los Angeles City College. He retired from teaching at the college when he was diagnosed with liver cancer 1979. He continued teaching at his center until he died in 1980 at the age of 54, succumbing to the effects of the liver cancer. (From Wikipedia.)
Most Ven. Dr. Thích Đức-Niệm
Vice President (1979 - 1983)
College of Oriental Studies
In 1979, in order to expand the curriculum of the University, Thiên Ân personally made two trips to Taiwan to invite Venerable Thích Đức-Niệm (1937 - 2003) to join his team of faculty. Đức Niệm was another prominent Vietnamese monk who was ordained in Taiwan to teach and help the Vietnamese refugees after earning his Doctoral degree in Chinese Literature and Philosophy in 1978. Joining Thiên Ân and other eminent Vietnamese masters in shouldering the task of conducting Buddhist education in the United States, Master Đức-Niệm arrived to accept the post of Vice President of the University of Oriental Studies in 1979.
While making an effort to enhance the future growth of the University, Đức-Niệm even established the International Buddhist Monastic Institute for the primary purpose of training new generations of multinational monastic members and Buddhist youths. This institute will be discussed in the following chapter as it has a significant role in serving the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha abroad after the time of Thiên Ân. Altogether, under the leadership of Thiên Ân, these centers aimed to make Buddhism a living tradition in the United States, contributing to the Mahayana path of obtaining enlightenment through the inward efforts of compassion and wisdom.
While making an effort to enhance the future growth of the University, Đức-Niệm even established the International Buddhist Monastic Institute for the primary purpose of training new generations of multinational monastic members and Buddhist youths. This institute will be discussed in the following chapter as it has a significant role in serving the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha abroad after the time of Thiên Ân. Altogether, under the leadership of Thiên Ân, these centers aimed to make Buddhism a living tradition in the United States, contributing to the Mahayana path of obtaining enlightenment through the inward efforts of compassion and wisdom.
Dr. Leo Pruden
Dean of Academic Affairs (1973 -1980)
President - Chancellor (1980 - 1983)
College of Oriental Studies
Most Ven. Dr. Thích Thiên-Ân with Dr. Leo Pruden founded the University of Oriental Studies in January of 1973 on-campus which had a great library and was a big draw for scholars.
Dr. Pruden also helped the Tibetan based Sakya College that was founded in Barlow Ganj, Mussoorie, on 19th December 1972. During the initial years, when the College functioned in Mussoorie, the academic activities progressed excellently under the able guidance of Khenpo Appey Rinpoche. However, there were problems due to the uncertainty and poor conditions of accommodation. It was then felt that the College should have its own premises. The late Dr. Leo Pruden of Los Angeles, USA, promised to provide funds to buy a house. Many sites were visited in Mussoorie in search of a proper house, but nothing suitable was found because of very high prices and lack of atmosphere conducive to monastic education.
A year later, while searching in every direction of Dehra Dun for a suitable site, the search finally ended at Kuthal Gate and the present site was acquired. In 1978, the College was fortunate enough to purchase the beautiful site overlooking the Doon Valley on the road to Mussoorie.
Again, the late Dr. Pruden sponsored the initial funds for construction. In early 1979, H. H. Sakya Trizin and the District Magistrate of Dehra Dun jointly laid the foundation stone of the College building. Additional major funds were provided by Mr. Lee of Kuala Lumpur and Mr. Joseph Ling of Kuching, Malaysia. In late 1980, when the first stage of building construction was nearly completed, the College moved into this, its present campus, which is situated 12 kms from Dehradun and 18 from Mussoorie. Classes were held in some of the bigger rooms for sometime. In 1985 the second stage of construction ended which included the main temple, the library and additional classrooms.
Dr. Pruden also helped the Tibetan based Sakya College that was founded in Barlow Ganj, Mussoorie, on 19th December 1972. During the initial years, when the College functioned in Mussoorie, the academic activities progressed excellently under the able guidance of Khenpo Appey Rinpoche. However, there were problems due to the uncertainty and poor conditions of accommodation. It was then felt that the College should have its own premises. The late Dr. Leo Pruden of Los Angeles, USA, promised to provide funds to buy a house. Many sites were visited in Mussoorie in search of a proper house, but nothing suitable was found because of very high prices and lack of atmosphere conducive to monastic education.
A year later, while searching in every direction of Dehra Dun for a suitable site, the search finally ended at Kuthal Gate and the present site was acquired. In 1978, the College was fortunate enough to purchase the beautiful site overlooking the Doon Valley on the road to Mussoorie.
Again, the late Dr. Pruden sponsored the initial funds for construction. In early 1979, H. H. Sakya Trizin and the District Magistrate of Dehra Dun jointly laid the foundation stone of the College building. Additional major funds were provided by Mr. Lee of Kuala Lumpur and Mr. Joseph Ling of Kuching, Malaysia. In late 1980, when the first stage of building construction was nearly completed, the College moved into this, its present campus, which is situated 12 kms from Dehradun and 18 from Mussoorie. Classes were held in some of the bigger rooms for sometime. In 1985 the second stage of construction ended which included the main temple, the library and additional classrooms.
Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasara
President - Chancellor (1983 - 2000)
College of Buddhist Studies
Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratansara (February, 1920 - May, 2000) was born in Havanpola, Sri Lanka, and was the eldest Buddhist monk in Los Angeles at the time of his death. He tred the path of the Buddha since he entered the monastery at age twelve, taking his final ordination in 1940 at age twenty.
In 1980 Dr. Ratanasara emigrated to the United States, settled in Los Angeles and devoted himself to the promulgation of inter-Buddhist, inter-religious understanding and education. He initiated the establishment of the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California, an organization of Buddhist clergy of all traditions, serving as its president. He also served as Executive President emeritus of the American Buddhist Congress, a national organization of Buddhist temples and organizations, of which he is a founding member. In 1983 he founded the College of Buddhist Studies, Los Angeles and was the president and a member of the academic staff.
In 1980 Dr. Ratanasara emigrated to the United States, settled in Los Angeles and devoted himself to the promulgation of inter-Buddhist, inter-religious understanding and education. He initiated the establishment of the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California, an organization of Buddhist clergy of all traditions, serving as its president. He also served as Executive President emeritus of the American Buddhist Congress, a national organization of Buddhist temples and organizations, of which he is a founding member. In 1983 he founded the College of Buddhist Studies, Los Angeles and was the president and a member of the academic staff.
Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma
Vice President (1980 - 2000)
President - Chancellor (2000 - 2012)
College of Buddhist Studies
Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma began her Buddhist Studies in 1969 under the guidance of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-an, simultaneously aiding her teacher in establishing the first Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in the United States. In 1973 Ven. Dr. Karuna officially became a Buddhist by taking the initial precepts, and in 1976 took full ordination as a Buddhist Nun (Bhikshuni).
Having received a B.A. in English from UCLA and two Masters degrees (in Secondary Education and Comparative Religion respectively), she received her Doctorate Degree (D.Dh) in 1979. Following Ven. Dr. Thien-an's passing in 1980, Ven. Dr. Karuna became Abbess of the International Buddhist Meditation Center that she helped found with her teacher.
Ven. Dr. Karuna has served the BSI-LA in different roles throughout the history of the program, graduating as a student from the original program, serving as Vice-President of its second incarnation and as program Chair and Faculty Advisor in its current form.
Additionally, Ven. Dr. Karuna was an original founding member of the Buddhist-Catholic Dialogue in Los Angeles, has served as past President of the American Buddhist Congress, Vice-President of the Buddhist Sangha Council and as Founding President of Sakyadhita, the International Association of Buddhist Women.
Ven. Dr. Karuna retired from active administrative duty in 2012 at the age of seventy-two, after almost forty-three years of participation and contribution in and to the program.
Having received a B.A. in English from UCLA and two Masters degrees (in Secondary Education and Comparative Religion respectively), she received her Doctorate Degree (D.Dh) in 1979. Following Ven. Dr. Thien-an's passing in 1980, Ven. Dr. Karuna became Abbess of the International Buddhist Meditation Center that she helped found with her teacher.
Ven. Dr. Karuna has served the BSI-LA in different roles throughout the history of the program, graduating as a student from the original program, serving as Vice-President of its second incarnation and as program Chair and Faculty Advisor in its current form.
Additionally, Ven. Dr. Karuna was an original founding member of the Buddhist-Catholic Dialogue in Los Angeles, has served as past President of the American Buddhist Congress, Vice-President of the Buddhist Sangha Council and as Founding President of Sakyadhita, the International Association of Buddhist Women.
Ven. Dr. Karuna retired from active administrative duty in 2012 at the age of seventy-two, after almost forty-three years of participation and contribution in and to the program.
