Contributions of Buddhism For World Peace & Social Harmony

Twenty-three papers from this seminar are presented from different perspectives, but carry the same idea-how to keep world peace based on the Buddha's teaching. These papers have been collected to publish as a book, Contributions of Buddhism for World Peace & Social Harmony, with the aim to share our Buddhist experience and knowledge and add our part to the common mission of keeping the world safe.

Dr. Bhikkhuni Gioi Huong (world name Sunyata Phạm) was born in 1963 in Binh Tuy, Vietnam and ordained at the age of fifteen under the great master, the Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Hai Trieu Am. In 1994, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Literature from Sai Gon University. She studied in India for ten years and in 2003, graduated with a PhD in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Delhi, India. In 2005, she settled down in the United States and in 2015, she earned a second Bachelor's Degree in Literature at the University of Riverside, California.

Currently, she is pursuing a degree in the Master of Arts Program at the University of California, Riverside and works as a lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in HCM City. She favors quietly reflecting on Dharma, and that leads her to write, as well as translate, Buddhist books and lyrics for music albums on her Bao Anh Lạc Bookshelf.

In 2000, she established Huong Sen Temple, Bình Chanh, Sai Gon, Viet Nam. In 2010, she founded Huong Sen Temple in Perris, California, USA, where she serves as abbess.

A global war is brewing. Many people cannot control their greed and anger. In this atmosphere of mutual hatred, the drums of war (Ukraine- Russia, the civil war in Niger ) continue to ring negative for the world. With social degradation, the youth especially, have taken the path of destruction. It seems as if civilization is facing a downward spiral. It is at this time, the mindful people around the world seek spritual practice and refuge with the Lord Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha who show the tranquil pure way to balance the temper as the Buddha taught:
Anger is conquered by love
Hatred never ceases
through hatred in this world
through love alone they cease.
This is an eternal law.
This is only way of peace.

Overcome anger by love
Conquer anger by love
Conquer evil by good
Conquer the stingy by giving
Conquer the liar by truth
This is the Universal way of peace.

For the sake of many, Dr. Ven. Buddha Priya Mahathero (Abbot and Secretary of Siddharth United Social Welfare Mission, Chinar Park, Kolkata, India) and Dr. Ven. Bhikşunī TN Gioi Huong (English Lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in HCM City and Abbess of Hương Sen Buddhist Temple, California, USA) have co-organized an international seminar with the theme, "Contributions of Buddhism for World Peace & Social Harmony," on July 2, 2023 at the Siddharth United Social Welfare Mission, Chinar Park, Kolkata, India.