CUHK received a donation of HK$30 million from Dr and Mrs Kong Ho-pak and GS Charity Foundation to establish the CUHK Centre for Buddhist Studies and a named professorship, promoting high-quality Buddhist studies, nurturing talent and enhancing public education in Buddhism.

The donation ceremony was held on 30 October, attended by CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association Ven. Kuan Yun, also representing Dr and Mrs Kong Ho-pak, and Chairman of GS Charity Foundation Dr Charles Yeung.

In his speech, Professor Tuan thanked the donors for their generosity. Noting that Buddhism had a long, rich history and was an indispensable part of traditional Chinese culture, he also highlighted CUHK’s mission “to combine tradition with modernity; to bring together China and the West” and its responsibility to promote the Chinese cultural heritage, especially in the humanities. “CUHK is honoured to have the trust and support of Dr and Mrs Kong Ho-pak, as well as GS Charity Foundation, in establishing the Dr and Mrs Kong Ho-pak Professorship in Buddhism and the CUHK Centre for Buddhist Studies, supporting the University in promoting Buddhist education and nurturing talents.”

Ven. Kuan Yun said that the establishment of the centre can further promote the development of Buddhist studies and appreciated CUHK’s ability to integrate Chinese and Western cultures to promote Buddhist education and propagate Buddhism. He hoped that the CUHK Centre for Buddhist Studies would grow and blossom in the future, bringing more fruitful results to Buddhist studies.

Dr Yeung mentioned that GS Charity Foundation had long been dedicated to promoting Buddhist education. Years ago, it established Hong Kong’s first postgraduate programme in Buddhist Studies. “CUHK has a solid foundation in Buddhist studies, coupled with a distinguished international reputation and extensive collaborative networks. I wish the CUHK Centre for Buddhist Studies a successful launch and believe it will nurture even more outstanding talents in Buddhist studies in the future,” he said.

The “Dr and Mrs Kong Ho-pak Professorship in Buddhism” is the first endowed professorship in the field of cultural and religious studies at CUHK. The appointee to this professorship will lead the CUHK Centre for Buddhist Studies and its academic team to promote Buddhist education, nurture talents and explore new realms in Buddhist studies. The centre will offer relevant postgraduate programmes, host lectures on Buddhist culture and organise academic conferences to expand scholarly research, delve into the truths of Buddhism from various perspectives, strengthen educational functions and guide people towards goodness.