The 19th Convocation Ceremony of International Buddhist College (IBC)
The International Buddhist College held its 19th Convocation on 13 September 2026 (Sunday) at the IBC Auditorium Hall at 1:00 p.m. (Thai time). After some announcements made by the emcee in English and Chinese, the auspicious event began with the striking of drums and bells. Soon after, the procession of Academic Staff and Graduands entered the hall.
This year, many distinguished guests and their family members attended the grand graduation ceremony. The ceremony began with a speech by the Chairman of the IBC Council, the Most Venerable Dr. Wei Wu.
Venerable Dr. Wei Wu congratulated the newly promoted Assistant Professors, Dr. Lang Heping (Fa Qing) and Dr. Ooi Eng Jin, for their achievements. Besides that, the Council Chairman extended his best wishes and congratulations to all graduates. He hopes that the IBC alumni can help to promote IBC so that more students can be recruited in the future. Before ending his speech, the Council Chairman thanked all supporters who have contributed to IBC in one way or another.
Subsequently, the Rector of IBC, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dharmavardhana Jñānagarbha delivered his speech.
“॥ नमो बुद्धाय ॥
धर्मरूपशरीराभ्यां बोधिमण्डाम्बरोदितः ।
जगत्स्फरति सर्वज्ञदिनकृज्ज्ञानरश्मिभिः ॥
|| namo buddhāya ||
dharmarūpaśarīrābhyāṁ bodhimaṇḍāmbaroditaḥ |
jagat spharati sarvajñadinakr̥j jñānaraśmibhiḥ ||
Ratnagotravibhāga 4.61
Homage to the Buddha!
With the Dharma-body and the Form-body,
Arisen in the sky of the essence of Awakening,
The sun that is the Omniscient One
Pervades the world with rays of awareness.
This verse compares the Buddha to the sun (here called more precisely “the maker of the day”), a common simile in Buddhist praises. The verse is from the foundational treatise on Buddha-nature, and thus its context is that of Mahāyāna thought. I will offer an initial interpretation that is meant to align more closely with such context.
The Dharma-body of a Buddha can be understood as his empty nature, inconceivable and not something to be possibly perceived. The Form-body, on the other hand, is the aspect of appearance, what sentient beings can perceive, admire, and receive teachings from. Awakening is itself compared to the sky, as it has no centre or circumference - it is ungraspable. The Buddha arises with the two bodies in the sky of awakening, and then, like the sun, he pervades the whole world with his rays of awareness. The word that I have translated as “awareness” is jñāna, which here refers to an awareness that is free of concepts, unobstructed, and unattached to anything. The same term has also been translated as “primordial wisdom” (partly due to the Tibetan rendering ye shes), and “gnosis.” In the context of Buddhist training, it refers to the pinnacle of the third type of wisdom, in the progression of wisdom from listening, from reflection, and from meditation.”
The Honorable Rector then conferred the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Arts (M.A.), and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Fa Qing, Dean of the Graduate School, read out the list of names of Ph.D. and M.A. graduands; while Asst. Prof. Dr. Ooi Eng Jin, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, read out the names of BA graduands.
Speeches of appreciation were delivered by Usha Chakma in English and Khoo Poh Ghiok (Sayalay Obhasi) in Chinese, respectively.
The ceremony continued with the IBC Recognition Ceremony for Newly Promoted Assistant Professors, Asst. Prof. Dr. Lang Heping (Fa Qing), Dean of the Graduate School, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ooi Eng Jin, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, on successfully passing the Academic Ranking Evaluation and their promotion to Assistant Professors.
Next, it was a memorable moment to have the Rector of IBC, Assoc. Professor Dr. Dharmavardhana Jñānagarbha, sign off on the “Register of Graduates”. The convocation ceremony ended with the IBC Theme Song “For The Good of The Many”. This was followed by a group photo session, and refreshments were also served.
List of Recipients of Degrees:
Doctor of Philosophy (Buddhist Studies)
1. Lim Siew Ying, Erika
2. Usha Chakma
Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies
1. Khoo Poh Ghiok
2. Li Yingying
3. Liu Zheng
4. Pang Sze Leung
5. Tan Sai Man
6. Yap Ying Hiang Vera
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Textual Studies) with Second Class Honours
1. Supyinnyar
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Textual Studies)
1. Karuna
2. Therananda
Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies with Second Class Honours
1. Dhammika
2. Nanasami
Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies
1. Khant Ko Ko
A big “thank you” to all members who contributed either directly or indirectly to the success of this event. Your invaluable support and contributions are deeply appreciated!
The official convocation photos can be accessed from the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MTNNrygqxye_xuRuol7rawwVYQUTeiop...
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1dd4Qjl-T40G0RVBtSsbJuABU7gAs...
