Francis Wong
December 27, 2023

From December 15th to 17th, the 10th Symposium on Humanistic Buddhism, themed "Humanistic Buddhism and the Future," took place at Fo Guang Shan Monastery. Six representatives from Nan Tien Institute in Australia were invited to attend, including Professor Stephen Hill, Chair of the Advisory Committee for Nan Tien Institute Humanistic Buddhism Centre and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Wollongong University; Venerable Dr Jue Wei, Director of Humanistic Buddhism Centre Nan Tien Institute; four outstanding graduates from Nan Tien Institute —Bruce McKenzie, Founder of Systemics Development Associates, Dr Magali Goirand, Director of Systemics Development Associates, Dr Cecile Manikan, Director of the Humanistic Buddhism Centre in the Philippines and Philosophy Department of the University of San Carlos in the Philippines, and Dr Maria Majorie R. Purino, Professor of the Humanistic Buddhism Centre in the Philippines.


Professor Stephen Hill addressed a global audience on-site and on-line during the opening keynote speech, Living with Impermanence – The Path to a Positive Future”. Drawing on his life experience as a United Nations diplomat, he highlighted the importance of reflecting on, transcending, and appreciating impermanence. He emphasized that understanding impermanence allows people to cherish what they have, appreciate connections, and value relationships. Professor Hill’s keynote speech set the context for further discussions at the Symposium on how Humanistic Buddhism may help us shape the shared future for humanity.

On December 16th, the organisers launched the new book "Cultivating Compassion: Going Beyond Crises," a compilation of proceedings of the 8th Symposium on Humanistic Buddhism co-hosted by Nan Tien Institute online in 2021. Professor Stephen Hill and Venerable Jue Wei are co-editors of the book, and Cecile Manikan contributed a paper. The book was divided into three parts: the contemporary understanding of crises faced at the beginning of the 21st century, fostering compassion during crisis and the challenges therein, and practical approaches to compassion.

Organisers launch the new book "Cultivating Compassion: Going Beyond Crises." photo／The Life News Agency

Bruce McKenzie and Cecile Manikan presented in the panel discussion on "Humanistic Buddhism and Education" on December 16th. Bruce McKenzie’s qualitative study "Building a Buddhist Ethos in a Tertiary Education Institute, Nan Tien Institute, Australia," explored five characteristics that affect the values of a school: self-awareness, individual capabilities, understanding values, role models for values, and classroom environments.

Bruce McKenzie and Cecile Manikan presented in the panel discussion on "Humanistic Buddhism and Education." photo／The Life News Agency

Cecile Manikan presented an impact assessment of the "Three Acts of Goodness" Project in the Filipino public education system. Her paper, “Transforming While Being Transformed: An Impact Assessment of the “Three Acts of Goodness”, showcased the project's positive and profound effects on cultivating individual qualities, creative talents, leadership skills, and human potential among the students. In "Six Paramitas and Four Brahmaviharas: Foundational Virtues of Humanistic Buddhism," Maria Majorie R. Purino explored how Humanistic Buddhism originates from the Six Paramitas and the Brahmaviharas, and their ethical perspectives advocated within Humanistic Buddhism. Dr Magali Goirand spoke on the contribution of Humanistic Buddhism to the implementation of Ethics in Medical AI in the panel “Humanistic Buddhism and Social Issues”.

Maria Majorie R. Purino explores how Humanistic Buddhism originates from the Six Paramitas and the Brahmaviharas, and their ethical perspectives advocated within Humanistic Buddhism. photo／The Life News Agency

Dr Magali Goirand spoke on the contribution of Humanistic Buddhism to the implementation of Ethics in Medical AI. photo／The Life News Agency

On December 17th, Venerable Jue Wei hosted a discussion on "Humanistic Buddhism and the Future." The panel included Professor Bee Scherer and Dr Jens Reinke from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Bee Scherer emphasized the need for Humanistic Buddhism to adapt and address new challenges in societies experiencing social and ecological crises. Jens Reinke focused on utilizing Humanistic Buddhism to cultivate compassion and to enhance wisdom amidst rapid global changes.

On December 17th, Venerable Jue Wei hosted a discussion on "Humanistic Buddhism and the Future." photo／The Life News Agency