Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Founder, Chairman Emeritus

Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927-2023) was born in Jiangsu Province, China. At the age of 12 he entered into a Buddhist monastery in Nanjing. He completed his ordination in 1941 and received the formal announcement as the 48th patriarch of the Lin-Chi Ch’an School of Mahayana Buddhism.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun is the founder of the Fo Guang Shan International Buddhist Order, where he fulfilled his long-held vow of promoting Humanistic Buddhism. For half a century, Venerable Master Hsing Yun devoted his efforts to transforming our world through the practice of Humanistic Buddhism. He founded Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) in 1992. It has active chapters worldwide. He also established the five sister schools that are part of the Fo Guang Shan University Consortium: University of the West, Fo Guang University, Nanhua University, Nan Tien Institute, and Guang Ming College, among others.

Venerable Master Hsing-Yun was an outspoken proponent of equality among all people and religious traditions. As a consequence, the Fo Guang Shan order has the largest number of female monastics of any Buddhist order today. By providing and supporting educational and leadership opportunities, he worked to improve the status of women in Asia. He held full ordination ceremonies for women of the Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. In addition, Venerable Master Hsing Yun organized annual conferences to bring together the various Buddhist schools and to promote dialog between Buddhists and other major religious groups.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun was a prolific writer, authoring over one hundred books in Chinese. His writings have been translated into English and many other languages.

The words of his lectures and writings remind us that to transform our world, we must be actively engaged in it. “Community transcends the individual,” he said, “and in doing so, fulfills the individual in the most complete way possible.” Wherever he went, Venerable Master Hsing Yun encouraged people to unite both the local and global community into a world of complete equality, open-hearted joyfulness, and perfect peace.

Venerable Hsin Bau

Abbot of Fo Guang Shan / Chair

Venerable Hsin Bau Shih (Ven. Hui Chi, Chi Rung Wang) was born in Taiwan in 1964. The Venerable started graduate studies in Chinese Buddhism in Fo Guang Shan in 1986, and in 1988 tonsured under Venerable Master Hsing Yun in Hsi Lai Temple.

Since 1990, the Venerable has been assigned to Vancouver in Canada, Deer Park in New York, and Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles. Besides serving as abbot of Hsi Lai Temple and trustee at the University of the West, the Venerable is also the Vice Secretary General of Buddha’s Light International Association World Headquarters, overseeing the chapters in western parts of North America.

In 2012 Venerable Hsin Bau was elected Chairperson of Fo Guang Shan Board of Directors as well as the ninth-term Head Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Temple.

Venerable Hui Dong

Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple / Executive Trustee

Originally from China, came to the US in 1998. Studied at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and received an MBA degree in 2002.

Studied at UWest from 2006 to 2013 in the PHD program of religious studies.

Was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2008, and joined the monastic order of Fo Guang Shan, which is affiliated with UWest.

Joined the board of Trustees of UWest since 2013.

Venerable Tzu Jung

Acting President, BLIA World Headquarters, Trustee

Venerable Tzu Jung (Suh-Jen Wu) is a graduate of Japan’s Bukkyo University, where she majored in social welfare, and has received an honorary doctorate degree from University of the West.

In 1974, she received a national award for outstanding contributions for social welfare, and in 2000 and 2003, awards for social merit from the Taiwanese Ministry of Education.

Venerable Hui Chuan

Vice Abbot of Fo Guang Shan

Venerable Hui Chuan (Hsi-Shen Fang) was born into a Buddhist family in Taiwan. His grandfather, aunt, and brother have been in the monastery. Under these influences, in 1988 he began his monkhood in Fo Guang Shan under Master Hsing Yun.

He has served as the Vice President of Pu-Men High School in Taiwan, Vice President of Taipei Buddhist Monk College, Executor of Young Adult Divisions of BLIA (Buddhist Light International Association), Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles, CA., council member of Fo-Guang Shan North America, and Vice President of the Merit Times, a daily newspaper published in English and Chinese. Currently, he holds the following positions: Chairman of Fo Guang Shan Domestic Supervisory Council, BLIA World Headquarters Deputy Secretary General, and BLIA World Headquarters Young Adult Division Director.

“Education to foster talent, culture to propagate the Dharma, charity to benefit society, and Dharma services to purify human minds,” these are the four principal missions Venerable Hui-Chuan follows to spread the seeds of Humanistic Buddhism. He travels around the world to give lectures, his proficiency in lecturing and articulation winning much recognition around the globe. His enthusiasm to go out into the community to offer service has benefited many as well. During his time as abbot of Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles, his speeches and ceremonies drew large audiences. Through numerous activities, many participants have embraced Buddhist beliefs.

Venerable Zhi You

Trustee

Venerable Zhi You graduated from Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University and was ordained under the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. She has served in finance-related roles at Fo Guang Shan Monastery Headquarters and Sanchong Meditation Centre in Taiwan. Currently Venerable Zhi You serves in the finance operation of Fo Guang Shan Monastery in the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne.

Peter Bemski, PhD

Trustee

Dr. Peter Bemski has had the good fortune to serve as an educator for more than 40 years. He has done so in a variety of roles, including Instructor, Professor, Dean, Chair, and President, as well as in a variety of countries, including Brazil, Mexico, China, and the United States. He “retired” as President of Sofia University in 2018, and continues to occasionally teach an MBA Capstone and other courses. He also continues to serve as a higher education consultant, and as a reviewer for the Higher Leaning Commission and for the WASC Senior College and University Commission. His background also includes the establishment of retail business and a 501C3.

Dr. Bemski speaks Spanish and Portuguese well. He has presented on a variety of topics throughout the world and holds an M.A. in English Literature from Boston College and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Innovation from the University of Colorado at Denver. Originally from Oakland, California, he now lives in Denver, Colorado. His experience has taught him that education is a key factor in making it possible for us to be more than we can be.

Tim Chang

Trustee

Tim Chang joined the UWest Board of Trustees in 2018. He is a partner at Musick Peeler & Garrett, LLP and has practiced law since 1993, focusing on corporate finance and cross-border transactions. He also serves as the Chairman of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, consisting of nonprofit health clinics and medical and dental vans that serve medically underserved areas and populations in California, New York and Nevada.

He has served on the board of directors of several public and private companies in the U.S. and Taiwan. He has been a member of the Board of First Commercial Bank (USA), a subsidiary bank of First Bank, Taiwan, for 20 years, currently chairing its loan committee and the compensation committee.

Mr. Chang is a co-author of “Cross-Border Taxation for Individuals in U.S. China and Taiwan” published by H.I. Press and Shanghai University Press, 2009. He received a JD from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, a BA from the University of Southern California, and certification in corporate governance from Tulane Law School/BIS.

C. Jim Chen

Trustee

Jim Chen has been a practicing CPA since 1976. His areas of service include accounting, auditing and income tax services. Industries served include wholesale, import & export, healthcare, hospitality and colleges, and other non-profit organizations.

Jim Chen is also actively involved in the Buddha’s Light International Association, from the South Bay Subchapter and Los Angeles Chapter to the world headquarters, as a lay dharma teacher and currently Chief Financial Officer. Helping to promote humanistic Buddhism is his way of self-cultivation.

Jim Chen served as an adjunct accounting professor at University of the West until spring of 2018. Sharing his accounting knowledge and practice with UWest students was a very enjoyable experience.

Christopher Dela Rosa, DM

Dr. Dela Rosa hails from the Philippines. He has been an educator for over 28 years in the Philippines and the United States. His passion for education stemmed from his philosophy of education as the tool to achieve economic mobility and build a community of educated individuals who will be our society’s future leaders.

Currently, Dr. Dela Rosa is the Vice Chancellor of Business Services at the Foothill De Anza Community College District in the San Francisco Bay Area. His prior experience includes being Vice President of Administrative and Technology Services at Ohlone College and Chief Information Officer at Santa Fe Community College (New Mexico) and Harford Community College (Maryland). In the Philippines, he was the dean of the College of Information Technology and the director of the IT department at Mapua Malayan Colleges Laguna, as well as assistant professor and director of the IT department at Mapua University. Dr. Dela Rosa has also been an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus since 2017.

Dr. Dela Rosa earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering, and a Master of Engineering from Mapua University. He also holds a Doctor of Management degree from the University of Phoenix and an Executive Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Darlene Lanham

Trustee

Darlene Lanham is Executive Director of Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA), 2024 inductee to the City of Austin Women’s Hall of Fame for Health and Safety, Secretary of the Texas Council on Family Violence Board of Directors, and member of the Survivor Advisory Board of Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. Her vision is to end domestic and sexual violence. Along with her team at AFSSA, she educates, advocates, and empowers communities to break the cycle of violence. AFSSA is the only culturally-specific organization that offers a 24/7 in-language hotline for people who experienced abuse, long-term support for survivors of violence, supportive housing, economic empowerment, and prevention efforts in Central Texas.

Trustee Lanham is past Chair of the Capital Area Council of Governments Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, helping to prioritize victim services funding and projects, and is an active leader in diversity and inclusion practices of National Coalition Building Institute. As a survivor herself, and as a bi-racial woman of Han Chinese ethnicity and national origin of Taiwan, who immigrated to the U.S. by adoption, she knows the level of power and resilience – and essential supports—that it takes to create a life of safety, dignity, and independence, where people can create the life they dream.

Cecil Willis, Jr.

Trustee

Trustee Willis is a native Texan, who attended Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, where he earned a BS in Horticultural Sciences in 1966. Since 1972, He has served as the Executive Director of Quail Valley Fund, Inc. Trustee Willis has lived in Stafford, TX since 1975, serving as an elected member of the Stafford City Council from 1979 to 1995 and as Mayor of Stafford from 2020 to 2023. He has also served as a Director on the Fort Bend County Fair Association Board for many years and was President of the Association in 1995. Trustee Willis has served as a Director on the Texas Association of Fairs and Events Board and was an active member of the Stafford-Missouri City Lions Club for over 30 years.

Trustee Willis and his wife are strong advocates of education as evidenced by their active participation in the Stafford Municipal School District, not only at the administrative level, but at the volunteer and student level as well. He is also a Board member on the Fort Bend County Texas A & M Club which works to provide scholarships for students to attend Texas A & M University. Trustee Willis enjoys being with his family, working in the yard, working with livestock and helping young people with their FFA and 4-H projects. His real love is Texas A & M football and any other Texas A & M function or athletic event.