Born into a Buddhist family, Ho, 74, said he did not enjoy going to temples or Sunday religious school until he turned 40 and began seeking spiritual growth. After studying various religions, he felt Buddhism suited him best because of its principle of self-salvation.
"It teaches you to do everything on your own, to rely on yourself instead of any supernatural powers or gods," explained Ho, who retired in Canada in 1989 after retiring as publisher of Hong Kong's Kung Sheung Daily Press. (A master's graduate of Columbia University's journalism school, he had worked at the Pittsburgh Press and National Geographic, for a time as White House correspondent, before returning to Hong Kong.)
"Unfortunately, people mix up their superstitions with Buddhism, turning it into a mythical chop suey, so others think that Buddhists are a bunch of voodoos."
That's why Ho has put his energy and resources into building a strong global network of Buddhist studies programs at academic institutions, which can help debunk misconceptions about this ancient religion.
The gift will support a visiting professorship and lectureship program in Buddhist studies, as well as conferences, public lecture series and scholarships.
There's more on the gift from U of T Magazine, which says that the money will go towards establishing an endowed visiting professorship and a series of conferences and public lectures at U of T's Scarborough campus. And News@UofT says that the gift will be the largest in the history of U of T Scarborough.
This follows a similar gift made to the University of British Columbia earlier this year.
For some reason, I just can't get enough of the phrases "a mythical chop suey" and "a bunch of voodoos."
南無阿彌陀佛
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