Our News
Read the latest news about the Research Centre for Translation of Buddhist Texts (RCTBT)
November 14, 2024
Gratitude to Buddhist Lodge of Laity and Chamber of Young Snow for Promoting Buddhist Lecture in HKEJ
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Buddhist Lodge of Laity (香港居士林) and Chamber of Young Snow (少雪齋), established by Dr. Stephen Suen, for their support in promoting the successful public lecture on Abhidharmakośabhāṣya by Venerable Professor Dhammajoti. The lecture's coverage in Hong Kong Economic Journal (信報) marks another milestone in sharing Buddhist scholarship with the wider community.
November 8, 2024
HSUHK Confers Honorary Appointments for Buddhist Studies
An appointment ceremony, marking the conclusion of the President's Dialogue Series, was held at HSUHK's Research Centre for Buddhist Texts and Buddhist Translation on November 6. During the ceremony, three distinguished scholars received their appointments from President Simon S.M. Ho (何順文校長).
The appointments included: Venerable Professor K. L. Dhammajoti (法光法師/教授) as Honorary Professor; Dr. Stephen Suen (孫漢明博士) as Honorary Advisor; and Dr. Eliza Fok (霍何綺華博士) as Honorary Advisor.
November 7, 2024
RCTBT Explores Abhidharmakośa at HSUHK President's Dialogue Series
Dr. Siu Sai Yau, RCTBT Director at HSUHK, presented the translation project of the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya (《阿毘達磨俱舍論》) at the "President's Dialogue Series" on November 6th. The seminar drew 400 participants and featured discussions with Venerable Professor K. L. Dhammajoti, Dr. Stephen Suen, and Dr. Eliza Fok on the text's modern relevance. This event highlighted the Centre's mission to bridge classical Buddhist texts with contemporary scholarship through translation work.
Click the link below to read the news report by Metro Radio 新城八大家.
October 14, 2024
Second Heart Sūtra Calligraphy Session: Blending Tradition with Modern Learning
Our Centre hosted a second Heart Sūtra calligraphy session as part of the TRA1224 module, Living in Buddhism: In Dialogue with Bilingual Sūtras. Students from various disciplines transcribed the Heart Sūtra, translated by Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty, using traditional ink brushes. This mindful calligraphy practice helped enhance focus and reduce stress, with positive feedback highlighting the value of blending cultural heritage into modern education.
September 15, 2024
Cutting-Edge E-Learning Tools for Buddhist Studies: Exploring the Diamond Sūtra and Kumārajīva's Translation Journey
With the support of the Sin Wai Kin Chinese Culture Promotion Scheme, we have been launching several digital projects, including the development of two innovative e-learning platforms. "The Vajracchedikā Explorer" (梵漢《金剛經》學習平台) enables users to study both the Sanskrit and Chinese versions of the Diamond Sūtra, while "Kumārajīva’s Translation Path: A 3D Exploration" (透過3D技術探索鳩摩羅什的譯經世界) leverages 3D technology to offer an immersive learning experience.
August 15, 2024
Translation Project of the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya (AKB) - Bridging Ancient Buddhist Knowledge with Modern Understanding
Guided by Venerable Professor Dhammajoti, Retired Glorious Sun (Endowed) Professor in Buddhist Studies at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), we are honored to collaborate with Dr. Stephen Suen and Dr. Eliza Fok, dedicated patrons and respected scholars whose expertise drives the novel translation project of the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya (AKB) at the Research Centre for Translation of Buddhist Texts, HSUHK. This project aims to make this key Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma text globally accessible through precise translations and an innovative digital platform. Visit our project page for updates and more information.
July 15, 2024
New Springer Monograph Explores Collaborative Translation of Buddhist Texts in Tang China
A new monograph on team-based Buddhist scripture translation in medieval China has been published by Springer in July 2024. It examines the organizational structures, processes, and roles in translation institutions during this vital era. Through case studies of translation teams throughout the Tang Dynasty, the work illuminates the evolution of translation approaches and the expertise of monk translators. This resource serves scholars in both Translation Studies and Buddhist Studies, offering insights into the collaborative nature of sūtra translation in medieval China.
June 14, 2024
History of Collaborative Translation of Chinese Buddhist Scriptures in Medieval China" Recommended by Zhonghua Book Company for Buddha's Birth Celebration in 2024
We are pleased to announce that the History of Collaborative Translation of Chinese Buddhist Scriptures in Medieval China (《中古中國佛經協作翻譯史》) has been included in Zhonghua Book Company's recommended reading list for the 2024 Buddha's Birth celebration. The monograph offers an in-depth exploration of the collaborative translation history of Chinese Buddhist scriptures during the Han-Tang era, making it an essential read for scholars and enthusiasts of Buddhist studies.
Apr 15, 2024
Our Director to Speak at HKMU on AI and Buddhist Texts
Our Director, Dr. Siu Sai Yau, gave a talk titled “From Pāli to Python: Advancing the Translation and Study of Buddhist Texts with AI,” which was organized by Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) on April 12, 2024. Dr. Siu introduced his latest digital projects on the integration of artificial intelligence with the study of ancient Buddhist scriptures, drawing keen interest from attendees across various disciplines.
Mar 15, 2024
Exploring Academic Publishing in Buddhist Studies: A Webinar with Springer's Expert
Our recent webinar, "Navigating the Path to Publication," with Springer's Senior Commissioning Editor Ms. Alex Westcott Campbell, was a resounding success. Budding and seasoned scholars across the field of Buddhist Studies came together, engaging in a vibrant Q&A session that turned into a robust exchange of scholarly insights. Their enthusiasm and in-depth questions about the intricacies of the publication process sparked a lively and informative discussion. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for creating an interactive learning environment. Keep an eye out for our upcoming events!
Feb 21, 2024
Mindful Brush Strokes: Embracing Tradition through Heart Sūtra Calligraphy at HSUHK
Our Centre conducted a Heart Sūtra calligraphy session as part of the TRA1224 “Living in Buddhism: In Dialogue with Bilingual Sūtras” module. Undergraduates from diverse disciplines joined in to transcribe the Heart Sūtra—translated into Chinese by the renowned Buddhist translator Xuanzang in the early Tang Dynasty—using traditional ink brushes. This practice of mindful calligraphy, deeply anchored in ancient Buddhist customs, helped students enhance their concentration and cope with daily stress. The positive feedback from participants highlights our commitment to integrating cultural heritage within modern educational experiences.
Feb 18, 2024
Illuminating Ancient Wisdom: The RCTBT's Special Issue on Buddhist Text Translation
In partnership with the Hong Kong Translation Society (香港翻譯學會), the RCTBT is proud to announce our role as guest editors for a special edition of Translation Quarterly (《翻譯季刊》). This issue features contributions from scholars across multiple disciplines, presenting cutting-edge research on the translation of Buddhist scriptures. Our aim is to stimulate comprehensive research within this field throughout Hong Kong.
Jan 1, 2024
From East Han to Tang Dynasty: Dr. Siu Sai Yau Explores Team-Based Sūtra Translation in New Monograph
Dr. Siu Sai Yau’s latest monograph, published by Chung Hua Book Co (中華書局), sheds light on the long history of collaborative Buddhist scripture translation. Spanning from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, this comprehensive work delves into a wide range of historical documents and explores three distinct types of team-based sūtra translation activities that thrived during medieval China. The monograph also examines the origins, transformations, key members, translation processes, techniques, and the profound impact these activities had on cultural interactions among Buddhist communities.
Dec 1, 2023
HSUHK Research Newsletter Spotlight: Exploring the Research Centre for Translation of Buddhist Texts and Its Pioneering Projects
The latest issue of HSUHK Research Newsletter features a section introducing the Research Centre for Translation of Buddhist Texts. The section highlights its seven ongoing projects, which include the retranslation of Mahāyāna Buddhist Classics from Sanskrit into Chinese, the development of digital archives for studying translated Buddhist scriptures, and the promotion of the history and culture of sūtra translation through advanced artificial intelligence.
Nov 13, 2023
Showcasing Pioneering Research on Buddhist Scripture Translation at University College London
Our Director, Dr. Siu Sai Yau, recently shared his insights at the virtual conference, “Nothing Happened: Translation Studies before James Holmes,” hosted by University College London (UCL) on November 10, 2023. His research paper, "Decoding Ancient Voices: A New Framework for Understanding the Translation Discourses on Buddhist Scriptures in Medieval China," has enriched the field of Translation Studies, especially in the context of Buddhist texts.
Nov 03, 2023
Buddhist Scholarship Across Borders: Dr. Tsui Chung-hui's Talk Connects Hundreds
On November 2, 2023, we hosted a successful Zoom talk by Dr. Tsui Chung-hui. We saw an impressive turnout of over 460 participants from various countries, inclusive of Buddhist monks, scholars, researchers, and HSUHK students. The topic of Dunhuang Bodhisattva Dharmarakṣa and his influence on early Buddhist scriptures and Grotto Art was explored. The global interaction was dynamic and the feedback was highly positive. Thanks to all who joined!
Nov 02, 2023
Zoom Seminar on Buddhist Scripture Translation (1): By Dr. Tsui Chung-hui (Center of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong)
Join us on November 2, 2023, for a talk by Dr. Tsui Chung-hui. She will delve into the impact of Dunhuang Bodhisattva Dharmarakṣa, also known as 竺法護, on the early translation of Buddhist scriptures and the emergence of Buddhist Grotto Art. This event, organised by The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, will be presented in Putonghua from 14:30 to 15:30 HKT.
Oct 16, 2023
Join the RCTBT as a Student Research Assistant (Digital Buddhism)
Interested in digital technologies and Buddhist text translation? The RCTBT seeks 5 Student Research Assistants to join us in promoting Buddhist translations through advanced digital technologies. If you have skills in audiovisual translation, multimedia production, social media, or data processing, and a passion for Buddhist scriptures, we invite you to apply. Visit the JINESS portal for more details.
Sep 01, 2023
Grant Award for Digital Platform Development
The Research Centre for Translation of Buddhist Texts at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a research grant of HKD$45,000 from the Sin Wai Kin Chinese Culture Promotion Scheme (冼為堅中華文化拓展計劃). This generous support will be instrumental in the development of a digital platform designed for reading classical Chinese Buddhist texts, thereby fostering greater accessibility and understanding of these significant works.
Aug 01, 2023
Current Initiatives at the Research Centre for Translation of Buddhist Texts
We are engaged in a range of projects including the analysis of ancient Buddhist text translation strategies, the investigation of historical Buddhist text transmission across East Asia, retranslation of key Mahāyāna Buddhist Classics from Sanskrit to Chinese, and the development of a comprehensive digital archive to safeguard the legacy of ancient translators. Stay tuned for updates and insights from these exciting initiatives.
