On 15 July 2024, H.E. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Ambassador of Thailand to Belgium, together with H.E. Mr. Chandana Weerasena, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium, visited the Ghent Centre for Buddhist Studies Ghent Centre for Buddhist Studies, Ghent University, and listened to a briefing on the Center by Ms. Ann Heirman, Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy and Head of the Center. The study of Buddhism at Ghent University can be dated back to 1890s though the Ghent Centre for Buddhist Studies was officially established in 2007. Currently, the Centre gives Bachelor’s students an introductory class on Buddhism and offers Master’s and Doctor’s degrees on Buddhism as part of the Department of Language and Culture. Besides, the Centre regularly arranges academic activities and publishes journal and books on Buddhism. Most of the teachings are from China, Japan, and South Korea. Ambassadors of Thailand and Sri Lanka are both eager to promote the teaching of Therevada Buddhism and look forward to further cooperation with the Centre. Currently a Thai monk enrolls in the Ph.D program. The Centre together with the Mariemont Museum ( 39 kilometers from Brussels) will organise an exhibition on “Sensing the Buddha” from 21 September 2024- April 2025.
More information on the Centre is available on https://www.cbs.ugent.be/