Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Founder, Chairman Emeritus

Grand Master Hsing Yun was born in Jiangsu Province, China in 1927. 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.

Grand 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 nearly half a century, Grand Master Hsing Yun has devoted his efforts to transforming our world through the practice of Humanistic Buddhism. He also founded Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) in 1992. It has active chapters worldwide.

He is an outspoken proponent of equality among all people and religious traditions. The Order has the largest number of female monastics of any Buddhist order today. By providing and supporting educational and leadership opportunities, he has worked to improve the status of women in Asia. He has held full ordination ceremonies for women of the Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. In addition, Grand Master Hsing Yun annually organizes conferences to bring together the various Buddhist schools and to promote dialogue between Buddhists and other major religious groups.

He travels and lectures widely. His insightful, engaging, and witty lectures unfailingly endear him to audiences. He reminds us that to transform our world, we must be actively engaged in it. “Community transcends the individual,” he says, “and in doing so, fulfills the individual in the most complete way possible.” Wherever he goes, he encourages people to unite both the local and global community into a world of complete equality, joyfulness, and perfect peace.

Grand Master Hsing Yun is a prolific writer and has authored over one hundred books in Chinese. His writings have been translated into English and many other languages.

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 Miao Hsi

Buddha’s Light Publications, USA, Los Angeles, California, Trustee

Ordained under the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, she has served for four years as the editor-in-chief of the English pages of the Merit Times (America) daily newspaper, and the director of both the Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center and Buddha’s Light Publishing in America for three years. Responsible for translating the works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun into English, her translated works include seven volumes of the series, Between Ignorance and Enlightenment, and the two volumes of Dharma Words.

She has served as one of the directors of Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California for ten years, in charge of cultural and educational activities, interfaith work, and community outreach, also planning and teaching the temple’s English Buddhism classes. Currently, she is the executive director of Buddha’s Light Publications USA.

Venerable Zhi You

Trustee

• Graduated from Fo Guang Shan Tsung Lin University and was ordained under the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order.
• Served in finance related roles at Fo Guang Shan Monastery Headquarters and Sanchong Meditation Centre in Taiwan.
• Currently serves in the finance operation of Fo Guang Shan Monastery in the United States.
• Hold a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Melbourne.

C. Jim Chen

Trustee

1976
Jim Chen is 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.

1977
Jim Chen also actively involves in Buddha’s Light International Association. From South Bay Subchapter, Los Angeles Chapter, to the world headquarter, as a lay dharma teacher and currently Chief Financial Officer. Helping to promote humanistic Buddhism is his way of self-cultivation.

1978
Jim Chen had been an adjunct accounting professional at University of the West, until spring of 2018. Sharing his accounting knowledge and practice with the students at University of the West was a very enjoyable experience.

Joshua Figuli

JD/MBA, Trustee

As an attorney and consultant for 12 years, Mr. Figuli focused his efforts solely in postsecondary education and advised numerous non-profit and for-profit university clients in a range of legal matters. Mr. Figuli’s clients include some of the industry’s most successful educational organizations as well as one regional accrediting agency. Mr. Figuli viewed his practice as adaptive to the educational needs and mission objectives of his clients while assisting in the creation of organizational value.

Mr. Figuli is an expert in institutional partnerships, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and corporate structures. Mr. Figuli has represented post-secondary clients both in the capacity of general counsel pertaining to institutional governance and day-to-day corporate and operational matters as well as in litigation related to areas such as misappropriation of intellectual property, faculty employment matters, disputes arising from partnership agreements, institutional transactions, and matters before the Department of Education.

For the past several years Mr. Figuli has shifted efforts from law and consulting and focused on applying his skills and expertise to building an institution of postsecondary education. Mr. Figuli is a part owner of Hussian College, a postsecondary institution founded in Philadelphia in 1946, and expanding in the last few years to seven campuses across the United States offering programs ranging from the performing arts, business, design and technology degree programs as well as shorter-term certificate and associate degree programs focused on entry-level positions in health sciences, criminal justice, and technology.

Mr. Figuli received his Bachelor of Arts from Regis University and received his Juris Doctorate and MBA from Golden Gate University.

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.

Roger Frank

Treasurer / Entrepreneur, Trustee

Roger Frank is one of the pioneers in using capital markets for social change. After 20 years on Wall Street with a focus on emerging markets, he was part of the team that created the first commercial, cross-border capital raise for microfinance. As part of that effort, he spent years traveling the globe to convince investors that poor women in emerging markets who want to take care of their families are a good credit risk. The models he helped create brought several billion dollars of commercial funding into the field, and in 2008 he won a Fast Company Award for businesses pioneering new models for social impact.

He created I3 Advisors to build on his experience on Wall Street, emerging markets, microfinance, and impact investing. i3 is a commercial fund management company whose goal is to use the capital markets as a funding source for positive social change. He has worked with CEOs of major multi-national corporations and presidents of central banks; he has discussed new models for sustainability with presidents and princesses and taught women prisoners, disabled adults, and students of all ages.

After starting his own graphic design studio, founding community arts programs, teaching in prisons and schools, and participating in an extensive tour behind the iron curtain, Roger received an MBA in Finance and International Business from New York University Stern School of Business. He holds a BFA, cum laude, from the University of Delaware, speaks conversational German and Spanish, and is on the Livelihoods Council for Save the Children, the Microfinance Social Performance Task Force, and the Advisory Board of the Fashion & Sustainability Graduate Program at the University of Delaware.

Dr. Peter Bemski

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.