Dr. Dipen Barua 4.15, 4/F, Centre of Buddhist Studies, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Mobile: +852–54403891 E-mail: [email protected]

Research Interest

Pāli Textual Studies, Buddhist Philosophy, South and Southeast Asian Buddhism

Academic Qualifications 07/2017 – 03/2021 PhD Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Thesis: “Identity and Continuity of ‘Personality’ of Selfless Being: A Study of the Concept of Bhavaṅga-citta in Theravāda Buddhism”

09/2014 – 03/2017 MPhil Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Thesis: “Developments of the Concept “Fetter” (Saṃyojana) in the Pāli Canon”

09/2012 – 11/2013 Master of Buddhist Studies (Distinction) Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

07/2010 – 06/2012 Master of Arts (Outstanding) Department of , Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune),

08/2007 – 07/2010 Bachelor of Arts with Honours (First Class First) Major: Pali , India

Scholarship and Awards 07/2017 – 06/2020 Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPF) for PhD Studies Research Grants Council, Hong Kong

09/2014 – 12/2016 Glorious Sun Group Postgraduate Scholarship for MPhil Studies The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

09/2012 – 08/2013 Dhammapala Postgraduate Scholarship for Master of Buddhist Studies Wang Fat Ching She, Hong Kong

02/2011 B.A. Honours First Class First Prize Winner College and University (formerly Government Sanskrit College), , India

Academic Employment –Teaching and Research 09/2017 – 12/2019 Tutor Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Courses: BSTC6045 Reading in Buddhist Sanskrit Texts (Elementary)

BSTC2008 Sanskrit Language [Section 1A, 2017]

9/2014 – 05/2015 Tutor Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Course: BSTC6045 Reading in Buddhist Sanskrit Texts (Elementary)

02/2017 – 05/2020 Teaching Assistant to Professor G.A. Somaratne Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Courses: (1) BSTC6070 Research Methodology in Buddhist Studies (2) BSTC8070 Research Methodology in Buddhist Studies [Section 1A, 2017] (3) BSTC1003 Introduction to Religious Studies (4) BSTC6079 Early Buddhism: a doctrinal exposition (5) BSTC2006 Buddhist Psychology and Mental Cultivation

01/2016 – 12/2016 Teaching Assistant to Sik Hing Hung, Professor Lewis Lancaster and Professor Guang Xing Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Course: BSTC6002 Buddhism

01/2010 – 05/2010 Teacher West Bengal Civil Service Examination, Kolkata, India

Publications Book • The Notion of Fetter in Early Buddhism. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 2018. ISBN 978- 81-934621-0-2, (191 pages).

Book Review • “Our Pristine Mind: A Practical Guide to Unconditional Happiness.” Buddhistdoor Global, 02/11/2017.

• “Buddhism and Islam on the Silk Road.” Buddhistdoor Global, 28/11/2014.

• “Mindfulness: Diverse Perspectives on Its Meaning, Origins an Applications.” Buddhistdoor Global, 26/09/2014.

• “Mahayana Buddhism and Its Philosophy” (in Bengali). Vijaybodhi Commemoration Volume, edited by Professor Ashotosh Barua, 31–33. : Vijaybodhi Mahathera Commemoration Committee, 2014.

Book Chapters and Articles in English • “Two Schemes of Ten Fetters and Interpretations of Four Stages of Liberation.” Thai International Journal of Buddhist Studies (2021): 36 pages. (upcoming)

• “Grounded Identities: Saṅkhārā and Consciousness-continuity in the Context of Rebirth Process.” Korean Journal of Buddhist Studies (March 2021): 31 pages. (upcoming)

• “Knowledge and Attitude Towards Covid 19: A Cross Sectional Study in Through Phone and Online Survey.” Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations Vol 11, No. 4 (December 2020): 1–11. (co-author)

• “The Theravāda Buddhist Observance of Rains Retreat: A Comparison with the Christian Lent.” In Meditation and Contemplation: Pathways to Peace ( Buddhism and Teresian Mysticism, edited by Francisco Javier Sancho Fermín et al., 629–61. Spain: The University of Mysticism, 2019. (republished)

• “Buddhist Psychological Approach for Sustainable Peace.” In Mindful Leadership for Sustainable Peace, edited by Ven. Thich Nhat Tu and Ven. Thich Duc Thien, 505–19. Vietnam Buddhist University Series: Hong Duc Publishing House, 2019.

• “The Theravāda Buddhist Observance of Rains Retreat: A Comparison with the Christian Lent.” Dialogue (New Series) Vol 44 (2017): 215–56.

• “Process Consciousness and Process-free Consciousness in the Cognitive Process of Buddhist Psychology: A Study.” The Asian Conference on Ethics, Religion & Philosophy: Official Conference Proceedings, Japan Issue, (March 2018): 143–54.

• “A Normative Cross-Cultural Hindu-Buddhist Interaction in Bengal: Adaptations and Transformations Revisited.” Bangabidya: International Journal of Bengal Studies Vol 10, Japan Issue (January 2018): 310–27.

• “Controversies and Prospects: Issues Surrounding the Establishment of the Female Monastic Sangha in Bangladesh.” In Compassion and Social Justice, edited by Karma Lekshe Tsomo, 199–205. Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Sakyadhita, 2015.

Articles and Features in Bengali

• “Jīvaka and His Contributions to the Treatment of Monks: The Physical Problem of Buddhist Monks (in Bangladesh Perspective).” Uday Sambhar: Venerable Udayanjyoti Felicitation Volume (2020): 49–51.

• “Revisiting the History of Māhasthavir Nikāy and Sangharāj Nikāy in Bangladesh.” Atish Dipankar (Online), 12/03/2015.

• “Buddhists’ Conversion and Our Thoughts in Bangladesh Perspective.” Saddhame Cārikaṃ Vol VI, Chittagong (2015): 25–28.

• “The Revival of Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha–How this is Possible!” Gautami Vol IV, Journal of Bangladesh Sharamani Sangha, Chittagong (2014): 35–38.

• “ - An Inspiration for Women.” Gautami Vol IV, Journal of Bangladesh Sharamani Sangha, Chittagong (2014): 38–42.

• “Birth Date of the Buddha: A Historical Debate.” Atish Dipankar (Online), Bangladesh, 12/05/2014.

• “Buddha’s Journey: Historical or Hearsay.” Dhammainfo (Online), Bangladesh, 09/05/2014.

• “The Dignity of Women in Buddhism and Current Scenario in Bangladesh.” Dhammainfo (Online), Bangladesh, 24/04/2014.

• “Origin and Usage of the “Barua” Title of Bengali Buddhists.” Parāmee, Chittagong(2013): 127–29. • “The Chinese Dharmapada: A Comparative Analysis.” Vaishali, Journal of Bangladesh Buddhist Association - Dhaka Region (2012): 20–24.

• “Kanheri Caves of Mumbai: An Invaluable Sign of Buddhist Civilization.” Vaishali, Journal of Bangladesh Buddhist Association - Dhaka Region, 2011.

• “The Importance of Abhidhamma Study in Daily Life.” Amitabha, Journal of the Amitabha Association, Chittagong, 2011.

• “The Concept of Volition in Buddhist Philosophy.” Vishwamaitri, Journal of Bangladesh Buddhist Association, 2011.

• “The Origin of the Caste System and Its Impact on the Society.” Bodhi Bharati, Journal of Bodhi Bharati Organization, Kolkata (2009): 20–23.

• “The Pāli Language: Its History and Development.” Jagajjyoti, Journal of the Bengal Buddhist Association, Kolkata (2009): 148–52.

• “The Dhammapada: In the East and the West.” Vaishali, Journal of Bangladesh Buddhist Association - Dhaka Region (2009): 22–28.

• “The Last Journey of the Buddha.” Bodhibarta, Paper of the Bodhibarta Association, Dhaka, 2009.

• “The Eminent Commentator Ᾱcariya Buddhagosha.” Charaiveti, Journal of Govt. Sanskrit College, Kolkata, 2008.

Features in Buddhistdoor Global (https://www.buddhistdoor.net)

• A regular contributor to Buddhistdoor Global website.

Conference Paper Presentations • “Understanding the Causal Relation between Nutriments and Consciousness in Early Buddhist Texts.” Presented at the New Zealand Association of Philosopher Conference 2019, University of Auckland, New Zealand, December 2019.

• “Becoming, Being, and Existence in Indian Thoughts: A Conceptual Analysis from the Perspective of Buddhist Term Bhava.” Presented at the 2019 Australasian Society for Continental Philosophy Conference, University of Melbourne, Australia, December 2019.

• “Retraining the Mind: Understanding How the Buddhist Psychological Ethics Improves Mental Well-being.” Presented at the Buddhism, Science, and Future: Brain Science and Mental Well-being, Woodenfish Foundation, Shenzhen, China August 2019.

• “The Function of Ignorance (Avijjā) as Fetter (Saṃyojana) and as Underlying Tendency (Anusaya): A Critical Study.” Presented at the International Conference on the Humanities and Social Sciences (ICHSS) 2018, The Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, , November 2018.

• “Munindraji and Dipa Ma’s Contribution to the Vipassanā Meditation Movement from Burma to Bengal: A Survey.” Presented at the 3rd ABC Conference (ABC–3) on Buddhism, Women, and Education, Jinarakkhitta Prasad, Jakarta, Indonesia, September 2018.

• “The Use of the Terms Bhavaṅga and Bhavaṅga-citta in the Theory of Continuity of Personality: A Critical Analysis.” Presented at the 17th World Sanskrit Conference, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, July 2018.

• “A Study of the Process Consciousness and Process-free Consciousness in the Cognitive Process of Buddhist Psychology.” Presented at The Asian Conference on Ethics, Religion & Philosophy, The International Academic Forum, Kobe, Japan, March 2018.

• “Exploring the Impacts of the Misuse of Social Media Power on Premeditated Tactics: Threats and Strategies in the Bangladesh Context of Communal Violence.” Presented at the Social Media & Social Order, The Norway Research Grants Council, Oslo, Norway, November-December 2017.

• “Who Will Care for Buddhists?: Addressing the Communal Violence Against Minority in Bangladesh.” Presented at the 1st ASEAN Buddhist Conference (ABC -1) on ASEAN Buddhists: Beyond 26th Buddhist Century, Nakhonpathom Rajabhat University, Nakhonpathom, Thailand, September 2016.

• “A Normative Cross-Cultural Hindu-Buddhist Interaction in Bengal: Adaptations and Transformations Revisited.” Presented at the 4th International Congress of Bengal Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Japan, December 2015.

• “Controversies and Prospects: Issues Surrounding the Establishment of the Female Monastic Sangha in Bangladesh.” Presented at the 14th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, June 2015.

• “Status of Pali Language and Literature in Bangladesh.” Presented at the Antevasikanam Pali Parisa, Department of Pali, University of Mumbai, India, February 2011.

Lectures • “Strategies, Perspectives and Objectives of Pali and Pali Literary Research: A Review,” Department of Pali, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, January 2020.

• “The Research Strategy, Understanding Different Research Perspectives and Research Goal in Buddhist Studies, Particularly in the Field of Pali Canon and Its Commentaries,” Department of Pali, University of Pune, India, January 2019.

• “Guided Three Buddhist Chanting Ceremonies.” Conducted at the Theravāda Buddhism and Teresian Mysticism: Meditation and Contemplation, Pathways to Peace, University of Mysticism, Spain, July 2017.

• “Introduction to Buddhism.” Spirituality Interest Group, Graduate House, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, February 2017.

Workshop Conducted

• “Can Buddhist Help Restore Harmony in Modern Society?” Conducted at the 10th International Conference on Conflict Resolution Education, The Ohio State University, Ohio, USA, June 2016.

Activities and Experiences 06/2018 – 05/ 2020 Leader of the Spirituality Interest Group, HKU 07/2017 – 05/ 2019 Member of the Spirituality Interest Group, Graduate House, HKU 10/2017 – 05/ 2019 Member of the Core Administrative Team for the Graduate House Children’s Service Program, Graduate House, HKU 05/2018 – 04/2019 Member of the Board of the Faculty of Arts, HKU 05/2018 – 04/2019 Member of the Joint Consultative Committee, Faculty of Arts, HKU 05/2018 – 04/2019 Member of the Faculty Teaching & Learning Quality Committee, Faculty of Arts, HKU 05/2018 – 04/2019 Member of the Faculty Library Committee, Faculty of Arts, HKU 05/2018 – 04/2019 Member of the Faculty Review Committee, Faculty of Arts, HKU 11/2017 Volunteer for the Watoto Children’s Choir, Graduate House, HKU 07/2017 Juror of the II International Award Teresa of Jesus and Interreligious Dialogue, University of Mysticism, Spain, July 2017

Employment History 09/2013 – 08/2014 News and Media Editor Buddhistdoor Global, Hong Kong

Updated on 29 March 2021