UCLA Department of Asian Languages and Cultures

ALC: 8-year Self Review
2002. Riggs, David E. “The rekindling of a tradition: Menzan Zuihō and the reform of Japanese
Sōtō Zen in the Tokugawa era.” Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion & East Asian
Studies, Oberlin College, Ohio
2006. Chu, William P. “A Buddha-shaped hole: Yinshun’s (1906–2005) critical Buddhology and
the theological crisis in modern Chinese Buddhism.” Assistant Professor of Buddhist Studies,
University of the West, Rosemead, California.
2006. Clarke, Shayne Neil. “Family matters in Indian monastic Buddhism.” Assistant Professor of
Buddhism, McMaster University, Canada
2008. Uhlmann, Patrick R. “Sŏn Buddhism in the Late Koryŏ Dynasty.” Assistant Professor of
Buddhist Studies, Geumgang University, Korea
In addition, three students from the UCLA the Department of Art History who received
substantial training in ALC’s Buddhist Studies program attained Ph.D.s during this same period:
2002. Wu, Pei-jung 巫 佩 蓉 . “The Mañjuśrī statues and Buddhist practice of Saidaiji: a study on
iconography, interior features of statues, and rituals associated with Buddhist icons.”
Assistant Professor, Graduate Institute of Art Studies, National Central University, Taiwan
2005. Suzuki, Yui. “The medicine master: Yakushi Buddha icons and devotional practices in
Heian Japan.” Assistant Professor, Department of Art History & Archaeology, University of
Maryland
2006. Shirai, Yoko. “Senbutsu: figured clay tiles, Buddhism, and political developments on the
Japanese Islands, ca. 650 CE–794 CE.”
Relations with the International Institute
Properly speaking the UCLA International Institute lies outside the purview of this self review.
Nonetheless, we cannot avoid mentioning that it now houses a Center for Buddhist Studies (founded Fall
2000, but not active until 2001). This new research center plays a major role in supporting ALC’s
program in Buddhist Studies. Just as is the case with the International Institute’s other research centers it
provides at least five key functions. * First, it provides a forum for coordinating research activities with
colleagues and graduate students across several departments at UCLA. (In the case of Buddhist Studies,
these departments consist of ALC along with Anthropology, Art History, and History.) Second, it funds
lectures, colloquia, and conferences to which scholars from outside UCLA can be invited to participate.
Third, it provides supplemental fellowship support for graduate students. Fourth, it supports research
activities by faculty. And most important of all, fifth, it promotes Buddhist Studies at UCLA through its
outreach activities and fund-raising efforts.
* The other research centers at the International Institute that help support ALC’s programs consist of
the Center for Chinese Studies (founded 1986), Center for India and South Asia (founded 2005),
Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies (founded 1991), Center for Korean Studies
(founded 1997), Center for Southeast Asian Studies (founded 1999), and Center for World
Languages (founded 2005).
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