$4.9 million for global Buddhist academic network

An international network of universities will advance the study of Buddhism and East Asian cultures, thanks to a $4.9-million donation from the China-based Liuzu Temple of Chan Buddhism. Tianzhu Global Network for the Study of Buddhist Cultures The donation funds the creation of the Tianzhu Global Network for the Study of Buddhist Cultures, an international partnership of universities including UBC, the University of California, Berkeley, Ghent University, Harvard University, the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) and McMaster University. The funds will be administered over a five-year period, with potential for renewal for another five-year term. "The creation of the Tianzhu Global Network marks an unprecedented international collaboration of top-tier research institutions," said the Venerable Shi Dayuan, abbot of the Liuzu Temple, based in Guangdong province, China. "We hope this partnership will provide a platform where Buddhist devotees and researchers around the world can come together to understand one another and exchange ideas." The network is named after the late Venerable Tianzhu, an eminent Chan monk and former abbot of the Liuzu Temple who worked tirelessly over his 90 years to promote benevolence and compassion across Chinese society through Buddhism. In 2013, the Liuzu Temple created the Tianzhu Foundation, a charitable group made up of volunteers whose goal is to carry out activities related to culture, society, spirituality and wisdom.