Speakers: Ven. Chang-Hwa, Geshe Ngawang Thugj, Suryapala (Todd Johnson), and Dr. Alex Tan
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In Person at The Shinnyo Center
19 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018
Event Description:
Adapting to Change: Buddhist Teachings for Today
Exploring how Buddhist insights can guide us in navigating life’s transitions and the uncertainties of our ever-changing world.
Join us for the Buddhist Forum 2025, where Buddhist teachers, leaders, and seasoned practitioners will come together to explore how Buddhist insights can help us navigate life’s transitions and the uncertainties of our ever-changing world.
This year’s discussions will focus on climate change, political shifts, the AI era, and other transformative issues, offering wisdom and practical guidance on how we can respond with clarity, compassion, and resilience.
This forum is designed for Buddhist teachers, leaders, and experienced practitioners.
About the Leaders:
Ven. Chang-Hwa, Ph.D. is the Director of Chan Meditation Center. After completing monastic education at Dharma Drum Sangha University in Taiwan and receiving full ordination in 2005, Venerable served as Director of the Department of International Relations and Development in DDM Taiwan. In addition to her current position as Director, Ven. Chang-Hwa also supervises DDM Dharmapala Groups in North America, gives public lectures and leads meditation programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
My name is Geshe Ngawang Thugje, Origin Tibetan, born in India. I studied the subject of Tibetan, English, Buddhist Philosophical Scriptures at Sera Jey Monastic Institute, India and obtained a degree certificate by Monastery. I am currently serving as Spiritual Teacher at Sera Jey Buddhist Culture Center in New York.
Suryapala (Todd Johnson) is an ordained Dharmachari within the Triratna Buddhist Order and has been a practicing Buddhist since 2018. Outside of his Buddhist practice, he is a Managing Director within the Firmwide AI team at a major Wall Street firm. As part of his responsibilities, he works with key stakeholders, establishing structure and controls to ensure his firm is scaling Generative AI in a secure, responsible and compliant manner. Previously, Suryapala spent nearly 30 years in the Financial Services industry in the US, UK and Hong Kong working within large global banks leading business and technology teams, as well as co-founding his own Investment Management firm, Ivaldi Capital, in 2010. Todd graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering.
Dr. Alex Tan is an Associate Professor at Tzu Chi University (TCU), in the city of Hualien, Taiwan and a pure practitioner of the Jingsi Abode. His research interests include buildings ventilation, thermal comfort analysis as well as environmental education and sustainable practices, with several years of teaching experience in sustainable development and environmental protection. He has co-authored several scientific publications and serves as a reviewer in a number of journals. Incorporating awareness and attitude into pro-environmental behavior, he has taken up a vegetarian diet for many years as well as participates as an active volunteer in areas of charity care, disaster relief, youth development and environmental movements.
Event Registration:
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