John Cannon, originally from Canada, has spent more than half his life in Hong Kong. He studied MBS full time in 2010 while pursuing his teaching career. John follows the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Post retirement, John has developed his Buddhist interests by working for a short stint as a content editor/writer for a Buddhist website, Buddhistdoor Global, in Hong Kong. He follows the Theravada tradition and has a deep interest, following his many trips and his extensive inter-actions with local Buddhist practitioners of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, in Buddhism in Bangladesh. He is now working on a paper on a comparison between Zen poetry and the works of St. John of the Cross. 

Della is very delighted to take this opportunity to meet new friends and share Buddhism teachings with others. Her aim is to promote Buddhism through organization of various fun and meaningful activities.

Therese received her Master’s of Buddhist Studies in 2007 from the University of Hong Kong. Throughout her spiritual journey, she has studied various Buddhist traditions, such as Theravada, Zen, Vajrayana; learning from various teachers and attending retreats around the world. She is especially involved in organising pilgrimage trips and Dharma talks. She received an additional Master’s of Buddhist Studies from the Buddha Dharma Center in 2015. She is driven by the hope of spreading the Dharma to others.

Tarangita joined CBSAA in 2017.  In searching for the truth of reality and "sustainable happiness", she studied MBS. She further deepened her learning in Buddha Dharma by completing the Certificate Course in Buddhist Textual Studies. Inspired and nourished by Dharma, Tarangita commits in the path of alleviating herself and others from suffering. "Motivated by compassion", she completed the MBC program. She is currently under training and studying the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice of Buddhist Counselling and dedicated to be a professional Buddhist Counsellor.

Josephine graduated from BA Geography and Economics, HKU. Attracted by the CBS poster “sustainable happiness”, she learnt Buddhism through two years’ MBS programme  and four years’ Certificate Course in Buddhist Textual Studies. She became a Buddhist in 2015, and would like to practice Buddha’s teachings by serving the CBSAA and others.

Betty’s many commitments have been motivated by the people she has encountered. She is grateful to many individuals and institutions who have encouraged and facilitated her endeavours and vision. Betty joined CBSAA in 2016 and has been Secretary ever since. She has been entrusted in the Buddhist program and also further psychotherapy counseling training at the University of Hong Kong. This has allowed her since 2015 to pursue her aspiration in hospice and end-of-life education. Betty is looking forward to seeing new people in CBSAA activities, such as talks, mentorship programs, study tours, and meditation retreats.

Sylvia has been an Executive Committee member since 2017 after graduating from the Master of Buddhist Studies at HKU. She is thrilled at the opportunity to serve the alumni and to meet new friends. Delighted at the inspirational teachings of the Buddha, she became a Buddhist in 2018 and wishes to walk the Path hand-in-hand with more fellow students through serving the Association.

Dora first started to learn Buddhism back in 2010 when she took up the four-years of “Certificate course in Buddhist Textual Studies”.  Currently, she is one of the article writers for the column “法相津途” at the Buddhist Door website and is also a speaker for the “佛經選要” public seminar held between 2020-21.  She is also a Honorary Buddhist Chaplain, providing spiritual services for patients and their families in three local hospitals.  Dora always believes that Buddhism is a way of life and is for us to put it into practice in our daily lives.

Amanda joined CBSAA after graduating from MBS and assisted in the organisation of the graduation dinner. CBSAA EXCO’s dedication and support to CBS and the Buddhist community inspired her. With her knowledge as a management consultant and a Vajrayana Buddhist, she hopes to join the CBSAA platform to practice Dharma and serve the community.

Arnold became a Buddhist in 2008 as Zen practices helped solve his chronic sleep problems. He studied MBS in order to have a broader understanding of various aspects of different Buddhist schools and how they can contribute to a more sustainable society. He is practicing at Plum Village and Su Bong Zen Monastery. Arnold currently works for the Hang Seng Indexes Company focusing on ESG and sustainability businesses.

Between 1990-2015, Dr. Stephen Lam Tak-sum was the Director of Genetic Laboratory and Head of Clinical Genetic Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong.  Over these 25 years, Dr. Lam was instrumental in training many clinical geneticists and teaching physicians who are currently serving various communities in Hong Kong as clinicians and faculty members at university medical schools - Dr. Lam is often referred to as "the grandfather of medical genetics in Hong Kong". Dr. Lam is currently the Director of Clinical Genetics Service and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Genetics at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital.

Maggie is searching the happiness and balance in life. She studied MBS part-time in 2016 and joined CBSAA ExCo immediately after graduation. She is passionate and committed to give back to the community using the knowledge and experiences accumulated in her life so far. She worked in sales & marketing for many years. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer of a Buddhist charity organisation, Tung Lin Kok Yuen. She has been a follower of Chan Master Sheng Yen since she first came into contact with Dharma Drum Mountain in 2011. She also has a strong interest in Vajrayāna Buddhism. She believes that the most important education is to cultivate kindness and compassion to improve the world.

CBSAA is an excellent platform assisting CBS programs students and graduates to stay connected on the journey of Buddhist studies. Jane has been volunteering on the Executive Committee since 2017. She is also an active volunteer with a local NGO and Hospital Authority, supporting bereavement and palliative care services at Ruttonjee Hospital and Shatin Hospital since 2012.

Shantel, born and educated in Hong Kong, has retired since 2016. Before her retirement, Shantel’s career in the public and private sectors brought her to various parts of the world working with people of diverse ethnicities, cultures and values. The inspiration to explore Buddhism comes from her loved ones in a traditional Chinese family; most of them are faithful Buddhists. She is 2019 MBS graduate and has twice been a writing contributor to Buddhistdoor Global. In 2021, she is admitted into the PhD program at HKU CBS to pursue further research work on Buddhist studies in the coming years. Continuing the role as the Executive Committee member of CBSAA, Shantel hopes to be immersed continuously in the Buddhist community, to learn and to serve.

John Yu read the Master of Buddhist Studies on a full time basis between 2020 and 2021. The course of obtaining the MBS has led him to have second thoughts on the direction of his career, to re-embark on the NGO path - where his passion can be more fully utilised through connecting with people, generating cohesion and understanding within the community – from inner peace to peace for others in everyday life. John is an optimist and is firm in his beliefs.