Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
May 16, 2023

Australia's UniRank, the leading international higher education directory and search engine, released the "Top Buddhist Universities in the world" rankings, and this year Fo Guang Shan's universities, University of the West, Nanhua University, Fo Guang University all made the list, once again demonstrating founder of Venerable Fo Guang Shan Master Hsing Yun's achievements in education.

Nanhua University is ranked 10th in the "2023 UniRank University Ranking" globally and is the top-ranked Buddhist university in Taiwan. University of the West has made its debut on the list, ranking 23rd globally. Fo Guang University is ranked 24th globally and third in Taiwan. The top three rankings for all Buddhist universities in Taiwan belong to Fo Guang Shan University Consortium.

Fo Guang University is ranked 24th in the "2023 UniRank University Ranking." (Credit: Nanhua University)

Venerable Master Hsing Yun prioritized “Education” in his diverse approach when propagating Buddhist truth. He also initiated the "Fo Guang Shan Million-Member Fundraising Campaign." With the collective efforts, Venerable Master Hsing Yun established University of the West was founded in the United States in 1990, and he kept establishing Fo Guang University founded in Yilan(1993), Nanhua University founded in Chiayi(1996), Centre for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism in Hong Kong(2005), Nan Tien Institute in Australia(2011) and Guang Ming College in the Philippines(2014), forming FGS International University Consortium.

These universities have received the support and aspirations of the public, demonstrating the philosophy of Venerable Master Hsing Yun's“keeping wisdom to myself and leaving the university in the world,”and have been recognized by international institutions, earning a place in the "Top Buddhist Universities in the world."

Furthermore, the FGS International University Consortium is actively promoting global academic exchanges among Buddhist universities. They have organized several international university presidents' forums, inviting Buddhist educational institutions from around the world to exchange ideas, marking important milestones in global Buddhist education.

Dr. Tsong-Ming Lin, President of Nanhua University, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We appreciate Venerable Master Hsing Yun for establishing five universities at home and abroad, cultivating outstanding talents internationally." Dr. Tsong-Ming Lin stated that he will continue to uphold Venerable Master Hsing Yun's educational philosophy and cultivate excellent talents, moving towards the path of becoming an outstanding university.