Yifa

Infobox Buddhist biography
name = Yifa


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birth_date = 1959 (age 49)
birth_place = Taiwan
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nationality = Taiwanese
denomination = Linji Ch'an
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title = Venerable
workplace =
education = National Taiwan University
Yale
University of Hawaii
occupation = Author
teacher = Hsing Yun
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website = Venerable Dr. Yifa, Ph.D （依法法師）(1959-) is a Taiwanese Buddhist nun, scholar, and writer. Ordained by the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order in 1979, Yifa holds a law degree from the Taiwan National University, a masters in comparative philosophy from the University of Hawaii and a doctorate in religious studies from Yale University. She served as a department head and dean of University of the West during her tenure at the college. [ [http://chaplaindanny.blogspot.com/2007/04/vodcast-5-interview-venerable-dr-yifa.html Danny Fisher - April 20th 2007 blog] ]

Yifa has participated in many interfaith dialogues such as the Gethsemani Encounter, and contributed to the UNICEF South Asia's Safe Motherhood Project. She is also the current director of the Woodenfish Program for college students. [ [http://www.woodenfish.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=3 Brief bio of Venerable Yifa, Phd - Program Director] ]

In 2003, the United Nations awarded Yifa its Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award. In October 2006, she was honored at the 9th Annual Juliet Hollister Awards Ceremony, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters. [ [http://www.templeofunderstanding.org/newSite/whatWeDo/inc/incBios.php The 9th Annual Juliet Hollister Awards Ceremony, honoring Dr. Ven. Yifa, Chief Arvol Looking Horse and the late Daniel Pearl] ] Yifa was recognized along with Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was honored posthumously.

Venerable Yifa has also been involved in translating sutras from Mandarin to English. Since 2006, Venerable Yifa and others have published translations of the Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Ksitigarbha Sutra, and Amitabha Sutra.

List of books

*"Safeguarding the Heart: A Buddhist Response to Suffering and September 11" [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590560345 Amazon.com link] ]
*"The Origins of Buddhist Monastic Codes in China: An Annotated Translation and Study of the Chanyuan Qinggui" [ [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?r=1&ean=9780824824945 Barnes & Noble link] ]
*"Stories From The Sutras" [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590560825 Amazon.com link] ]
*"Sisters of the Buddha: Women's Roles in Buddhism Through the Centuries" [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590560590 Amazon.com link] ]
*"Clearing the Junk: A Buddhist Perspective" [ [http://www.steinerbooks.org/detail.html?session=69dd9569e8ee43af1dfaf838c2eb9870&id=9781590561096 Steiner Books link] ]

Yifa has also co-authored "Benedict's Dharma: Buddhists Reflect On the Role of St. Benedict", along with Norman Fischer, Joseph Goldstein, Judith Simmer-Brown, David Steindl-Rast, and editor Patrick J. Henry. [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1573229407 Amazon.com link] ]

ee also

*Fo Guang Shan
*Hsing Yun
*Woodenfish Program

Links

* [http://www.woodenfish.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=3 The Woodenfish Program official website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8v2YXzk9pI Interview with Danny Fisher about her latest book, "Junk"]

References