Annual Forum 2025
Date: Saturday, March 22nd
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm (ET)
Venue: The Shinnyo Center (19 W 36th St. NY, NY)
Theme: Adapting to Change: Buddhist Teachings for Today
Register HERE : This forum is designed for Buddhist teachers, leaders, and experienced practitioners.
Adapting to Change: Buddhist Teachings for Today
Exploring how Buddhist insights can guide us in navigating life’s transitions and the uncertainties of our ever-changing world.
Join us for the Buddhist Forum 2025, where Buddhist teachers, leaders, and seasoned practitioners will come together to explore how Buddhist insights can help us navigate life’s transitions and the uncertainties of our ever-changing world.
This year’s discussions will focus on climate change, political shifts, the AI era, and other transformative issues, offering wisdom and practical guidance on how we can respond with clarity, compassion, and resilience.
Speakers include:
Ven. Chang-Hwa, Ph.D. is the Director of Chan Meditation Center. After completing monastic education at Dharma Drum Sangha University in Taiwan and receiving full ordination in 2005, Venerable served as Director of the Department of International Relations and Development in DDM Taiwan. In addition to her current position as Director, Ven. Chang-Hwa also supervises DDM Dharmapala Groups in North America, gives public lectures and leads meditation programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Bhante Kondañña is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who began his monastic journey in 1968 with his novice ordination. He received his formal monastic training in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and earned a BA in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Kelaniya.
In 1985, he came to the United States to serve and contribute his skills at the New York Buddhist Vihara. During this time, he pursued further education, attending classes at CUNY and earning a BS in Social Work. In 1997, he went on to obtain an MSW from Fordham University in New York. Bhante Kondañña firmly believes in the importance of a strong spiritual foundation in life. Through his teachings, experiences, and compassionate service, he hopes to enrich and uplift the lives of individuals in New York City and beyond, wherever his path of service may lead. Staten Island Buddhist Vihara
Suryapala (Todd Johnson) is an ordained Dharmachari within the Triratna Buddhist Order and has been a practicing Buddhist since 2018. Outside of his Buddhist practice, he is a Managing Director within the Firmwide AI team at a major Wall Street firm. As part of his responsibilities, he works with key stakeholders, establishing structure and controls to ensure his firm is scaling Generative AI in a secure, responsible and compliant manner. Previously, Suryapala spent nearly 30 years in the Financial Services industry in the US, UK and Hong Kong working within large global banks leading business and technology teams, as well as co-founding his own Investment Management firm, Ivaldi Capital, in 2010. Todd graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering.
Dr. Alex Tan is an Associate Professor at Tzu Chi University (TCU), in the city of Hualien, Taiwan and a pure practitioner of the Jingsi Abode. His research interests include buildings ventilation, thermal comfort analysis as well as environmental education and sustainable practices, with several years of teaching experience in sustainable development and environmental protection. He has co-authored several scientific publications and serves as a reviewer in a number of journals. Incorporating awareness and attitude into pro-environmental behavior, he has taken up a vegetarian diet for many years as well as participates as an active volunteer in areas of charity care, disaster relief, youth development and environmental movements.
