1979 COMMENCEMENT HONORING THE DALAI LAMA WITH AN HONORARY DOCTORATE

With Buddha Dharma University, you have a truly gifted set of knowledgeable professors. Although ours is a Zen seminary stemming from both Korean and Vietnamese lineages, many of our instructors have also trained in other traditions. The Dharma (truth) is as it is, regardless of the name or style. It is worth noting that our professors donate their time and talents, both to keep your expenses low and to be of service to the world.

OUR ORIGINAL FOUNDER: ​
HOA THUONG VEN. DR. THÍCH THIÊN ÂN

Hòa Thượng ​Ven. Dr. Thích Thiên-Ân (1926 – 1980) came to the United States from Vietnam in the summer of 1966 as an exchange professor. He taught philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles. After discovering that he was not only a renowned scholar, but a Zen Buddhist monk, as well, his students convinced him to teach Zen meditation and to start a Buddhist study group on the UCLA campus.

A few years later, his enthusiastic students encouraged Thích Thiên-Ân to apply for permanent residency and to open a meditation center that included a place for practitioners to live and study Zen Buddhism. In 1970, he founded the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles, California.

Once established, Thích Thiên-Ân taught the traditions of Zen Buddhism at the IBMC. In addition, he taught Eastern Philosophy and Asian Studies at Los Angeles City College. He retired from teaching at the college when he was diagnosed with liver cancer in 1979. He continued teaching at his center until he died in 1980 at the age of 54, succumbing to the effects of the liver cancer. (From Wikipedia.)

EMERITUS FACULTY

Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An
(September 1926 – November 1980)
Founder – 1973

Edward Muzika, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus

Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasara
(February 1920 – May 2000)
President Emeritus

Leo M. Pruden, Ph.D.
(March 1938 – October 1991)
Professor of Eastern Studies and President Emeritus

Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma
President Emeritus

Judith Tyberg, PhD
(d. 1980)
Professor of Buddhist Studies
Venerable Thich Duc-Niem, Ph.D.
Director of International Buddhist Training Emeritus

Ven. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannavamsa
Professor of Buddhist Abhidhamma 

Peter Eckman, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Chinese Medicine – 1982

Stephan Hoeller, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Comparative Religion – 2000

Stephen A. Markel, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Indian Art – 1984

Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche
Professor Emeritus – 1996

Honorary Doctorates Awarded

Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Doctor of Buddhist Philosophy – 1979

H.H. Dalai Lama
Doctor of Buddhist Philosophy – 1979

Hòa Thượng Thich An Giao
Doctor of Buddhist Ministry – 2015