Our News
Read the latest news about the Research Centre for Translation of Buddhist Texts (RCTBT)
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.
