Centre of Buddhist Studies, HKU

11/09/2026

The Cult of the Palm Leaf Manuscript:
Materiality, Devotion, and Ritual Practices in Sri Lankan Theravāda Buddhism

Invited speaker
Dr. Rev Madipola Wimalajothi Thero

Time: September 22, 2026 TUE 7:30-9:15 pm (Hong Kong Time)
Venue: KK201, 2/F, K.K. Leung Building, The University of Hong Kong
Details - https://www.buddhism.hku.hk/event-post/2026092201
Registration - https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=108948

Lecture Abstract
Theravāda Buddhism in Sri Lanka maintains a unique and rich palm leaf manuscript culture. Historically, the Pali Tipiṭaka (Canon) and Buddhist literary texts have been preserved through continuous scribal transmission. These ancient palm leaf manuscripts function not only as sources of religious knowledge, but also as objects of veneration. Scholars have coined the concept of the “cult of the book” to describe the significance attributed to physical scriptures as sacred objects of worship in the Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions. Drawing on this concept, I propose the notion of the “cult of the palm leaf manuscript” to examine palm leaf manuscript culture in Sri Lankan Theravāda Buddhism. In doing so, I highlight the unique forms of production, preservation, ritual and devotional practices, and materiality of palm leaf manuscript culture in Sri Lanka. In this talk, I will explore how ritual practices have shaped these palm leaf manuscripts as objects of veneration and merit-making.

Organizer HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies
Sponsor Tung Lin Kok Yuen

Conducted in English
Free admission | First come first served
Enquiry: [email protected] | www.buddhism.hku.hk

08/09/2026

Please check out our new publication [e-book for free download] 🙏🌸
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐬, 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐦
Author: Vesna A. Wallace (Edited by Jnan Nanda Tanchangya, Christina Partsalaki)
Publisher: Centre of Buddhist Studies, HKU
Language: English
ISBN: 978-988-76424-7-3 (Ebook)
Date of Press: 2026

To learn more and download e-book for free: https://www.buddhism.hku.hk/publication-post/interrelationship-between-texts-images-and-rituals-free-ebook/

03/09/2026

The 9th International Conference on Tibetan Art and Archaeology
http://m.tibet.cn/cn/news/yc/202609/t20260901_8040965.html

28/08/2026

We are pleased to share this special event from the HKU Buddhist Studies Society. Please note that this trip is exclusively open to HKU students and alumni. See the post for details.

✈️📌𝐁𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
(Please scroll down for English version)
‼️‼️Price Change‼️‼️大減價‼️‼️

🏝️【滇境禪心：香巴拉之約】🐫

親愛的同學們，在繁忙的學期中，你是否也希望能找回一絲平靜？ 讓我們漫步在經幡與暮鼓的餘韻裡——仰望蒼大理崇聖寺三塔；體會玉龍雪山亙古寂靜；凝望松贊林寺金頂⋯⋯讓雲南的風雪塔寺，替你在一呼一吸中找回內心本有的清靜與自在。

🗓️日期： 10月11日 至 10月16日（六日五夜，在Reading Week舉行）

名額：30個
💲費用*：$2900（會員**）｜$3200 （非會員）（機票交通膳食住宿全包）

🌟*有意參加者只需先繳付$300 作留位費，其餘款項（ 會員：$2600｜非會員：$2900）的繳付安排將會稍後再作通知（可能因應名額限制而進行篩選，無法入選者將會獲得留位費全數退還）

📕已獲得政府民青局贊助

🔗報名連結：https://forms.office.com/r/fqsWLiFJEd

請按下報名連結瀏覽詳細行程。
🌟報名截止時間：9月19日（星期六） 23:59

👫會員登記*&活動報名：https://linktr.ee/bsshku

🌟*$70會費

確認收取留位費後，我們會安排一場網上Zoom簡介會，邀請參加者加入WhatsApp group作公佈活動詳情和溝通之用。

如有任何問題，歡迎查詢Buddhist Studies Society, HKU 香港大學佛學會* (Instagram)

*Instragram是我們主要的發佈資訊及溝通的渠道，所以記得追蹤我們以獲得最完整及即時的資訊

香港大學佛學會
2026-2027年度

“Sacred Landscapes & Ancient Towns : Yunnan Cultural Odyssey”

Dear students,
In the midst of a bustling semester, have you ever longed for stillness?

Let the winds, the snows, the towers, and the temples of Yunnan take a weight off your mind.

Dates: October 11 - 16, 2026 (6 days 5 nights, during Reading Week)

Quota: 30 students

Fee: $2900 (Member) | $3200 (Non-Member) (flights, transport, accommodation, and meals)

**Applicants only need to pay a reservation fee of $300 for registration (non-refundable, included in travel fees).

Successful applicants will be contacted for further payment of the rest of the full fees (Due to limited quota, we might go through a screening, and unsuccessful applicants would receive a full refund of the reservation fee)

We have Confirmed government Sponsorship!

Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/fqsWLiFJEd

Registration Deadline: September 19, 2026 (Saturday), 23:59

Membership* & Event Registration: https://linktr.ee/bsshku

*$70 Membership

Successful applicants will be contacted via WhatsApp and invited into a WhatsApp group for further details and announcements about the trip. A Zoom briefing about the trip will be held in due time.

Should you have any inquiries, please contact Buddhist Studies Society, HKU 香港大學佛學會* on Instagram

Buddhist Studies Society, HKU

Session 2026-2027

20/08/2026

𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞:
𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏ā𝐥𝐢, 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐤𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐧

𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬!

Do you wish to delve deep into the world of sacred Buddhist texts, explore the roots of Eastern philosophies, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history?
Introducing our 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏ā𝐥𝐢, 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐤𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐧

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭?
-Our experienced and passionate instructors possess both scholarly expertise and a deep appreciation for the languages they teach.
-Comprehensive curriculum designed to build proficiency in reading and writing, while exploring the literature, history, and culture of each language.
-Small class sizes to ensure personalized attention and optimal learning.
-Interactive, immersive learning experiences that cater to various learning styles.
-Access to a wealth of digital resources, including texts, audio-visual materials, and supplementary study aids.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲?
ALL interested parties (including current students, graduates and the public)

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝
-Semester 1 Courses (Language Level I/III): Early September 2026 – Late November 2026 (Exam in Dec 2026)
-Semester 2 Courses (Language Level II/IV): Mid January 2027 – Late April 2027 (Exam in May 2027)

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 https://www.buddhism.hku.hk/ap/mbs/current-students/?box=box-3

𝐄𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:
Tel: (852) 3917-5009
Email: [email protected]

27/07/2026

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬: 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞

We are delighted to share that our latest publication is now available online! This open access resource reflects the collaborative effort and dedication of our Centre, and we are excited to make it accessible to a global audience.

The online access is now available at https://www.buddhism.hku.hk/publication-post/buddhism-in-japan-pilgrimage-ritual-and-thought/

You can explore our new work. We hope you will find it engaging and insightful, and we encourage you to share it with your networks.

Thank you for your continued support and contributions to our Centre. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you together.

07/07/2026

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚝 𝙷. 𝙽. 𝙷𝚘 𝙼𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝙻𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎
𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐀𝐀 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥
Invited speaker: 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐤 𝐇𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠
CBS Senior Fellow, HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies

Time: 2:30-5:00 pm on 22 August 2026 (Saturday) [HK Time]
Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, The University of Hong Kong

Conducted in English | Free admission | First come first served

Event details
www.buddhism.hku.hk/event-post/20260822-Robert-H-N-Ho-Memorial-Lecture/

Registration
https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=108426

About the speaker
Venerable S*k Hin Hung is a dual Chan Buddhism lineage holder (45th-gen Linji, 10th-gen Guiyang) and a prominent Buddhist scholar at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). As a Founding Fellow of the HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies and Head of the Buddhism and Science Research Lab, he has pioneered interdisciplinary work that merges Buddhist practice with neuroscience, demonstrating meditation’s mind-heart connection through EEG studies and developing clinical applications of Buddhist chanting. His evidence-based Dharma Therapy, Awareness Training Program, and Buddhist Counselling programs have gained widespread recognition. He currently teaches Buddhist meditation texts and emptiness philosophy, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary science and mental health practice.

Lecture abstract
Why do novices often feel tense, confused, or frustrated during mindful breathing? This talk introduces the ISAAA (Interoceptive Sensitivity for Attentional-Autonomic Alignment) model — a clear, neuroscience-informed framework grounded in the early steps of the Ānāpānasati Sutta. Discover the two-phase approach: first establish a metacognitive platform for passive observation of natural breathing, then apply skillful, minimal-effort modulation to achieve true attentional-autonomic alignment, enhance vagal tone, and cultivate lasting equanimity.

Organizers
Tung Lin Kok Yuen
Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong

Media Partners
Buddhistdoor
Buddhistdoor Global

Enquiry [email protected] | www.buddhism.hku.hk

15/06/2026

香港大學115周年校慶系列活動：《如愿》音樂會
“Dare to Dream” Concert in celebration of HKU’s 115th Anniversary

日期：2026年6月11日（星期四）
Date: Jun 11, 2026 (Thursday)

時間：19:30 – 21:00（90分鐘）
​Time: 19:30 – 21:00 (90 minutes)

地點：香港大學百周年校園李兆基會議中心
enue: Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong

主辦：香港大學
Hosted by the University of Hong Kong
承辦：香港天籟敦煌樂團
Organised by Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble

詳情Details: https://alo.hku.hk/2026-dunhuang-concert

20/05/2026

Please come and pay tribute to our beloved teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend — the late Professor Y. Karunadasa. 🙏🌸

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM on Saturday, 23 May 2026
Venue: CPD3.28, 3rd Floor, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=106674

🌸𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝🌸
>> https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=106787
Please click the above link to leave your appreciation or commemorative message for the late Professor Y. Karunadasa.

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧🙏
>> Pali chanting
>> Commemorative video
>> Commemorative speeches by Venerable Professor K.L. Dhammajoti, Venerable Hin Hung, Professor Guang Xing, Dr. Tsui Chunghui and (via a representative) Professor Cheng Chen-huang
(Light refreshments will be served after the event)

* The rundown may be updated without prior notice.

14/05/2026

[TODAY May 14] Lecture 1. Out-of-Body Flight in the Dark.
The 14th MaMa Charitable Foundation Lecture Series in Buddhist Studies
Cosmic Art in Three Keys

May 14, 2026 THU 7:15-9:00 pm
Venue: CPD-3.28, 3/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

Invited Speaker: Professor Eugene Y. Wang
The 14th MaMa Charitable Foundation Visiting Professor in Buddhist Studies, HKU
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Professor of Asian Art, Harvard University

Language: English


Details – https://www.buddhism.hku.hk/event-post/mmcf-14th/

Registration – https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&UEID=106422