NTiLearn | Nan Tien Institute

A Modern Reflection on Life and Death

Deciphering the Natural Mechanism and Mysteries of 'Death,' 'Dying' & 'Rebirth'

Presented by Venerable Dr. Huei Kai

April 2, 2025

11 am - 12 pm (AEDT)

Event will be held online via Zoom

What if death isn't the end but a vital part of life's natural rhythm? In this Dharma Talk, Venerable Dr. Huei Kai invites us to reimagine life, death, and everything in between. Drawing on modern science, Buddhist philosophy, and his own moving journey, Venerable Huei Kai offers practical insights into how understanding the cycle of life and death can help us live with greater clarity, calm, and purpose. Whether you're navigating grief, caring for others, or simply curious, this talk offers a refreshing and empowering perspective on a subject too often cloaked in fear and uncertainty.

About the Presenter

Venerable Dr. Huei Kai is a Buddhist monk, renowned scholar, and Deputy Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Monastery. With a PhD in Religious Studies from Temple University (USA) and a background in mathematics from National Taiwan University, he has spent decades exploring the crossroads of Eastern wisdom and modern thought. As a columnist, author of The Sustainable Management of Life, and an Emeritus Professor at Nanhua University, his teachings blend Buddhist wisdom and logic with warmth and clarity. Known for making profound topics deeply relatable, he now shares his life's work with global audiences—offering not just answers, but a new perspective on life and death.

Mindfulness Mechanics: Ancient Wisdom guiding Mental Health research

Presented by Corey Jackson

April 2 2025

12-1pm (AEDT)

Mindfulness and meditation, once considered fringe practices, have now become integral to mainstream culture. This shift is largely driven by a surge in research highlighting their benefits for modern well-being. However, the eagerness to embrace these benefits has far outpaced efforts to understand the underlying mechanisms, often overlooking the traditional theories and teachings that form the foundation of these practices.

This discussion will explore some of the potential mechanisms behind mindfulness and how a deeper understanding of them can enhance the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions.

About the Presenter:

Corey Jackson is in the final stages of a PhD mapping traditional Buddhist theory and meditation onto a modern understanding of anxiety and depression. This research taps into increasing psychological interest in aspects of cognition that Buddhism has long-held to be important for mental health. His work is the culmination of a degree in Psychology and Sanskrit plus more than twenty years studying and translating Buddhist philosophy from Tibetan to English.

Corey is a lead trainer in the peer-reviewed Cultivating Emotional Balance program which sits at the intersection of authentic contemplative and psychological approaches to mental health and wellbeing. This forms the basis of his courses and retreats that challenge popularized concepts of self-care. Before any of this, he was a jazz pianist in Toronto, Canada.

The conversations series is free, however registration is essential. Please register here

Dear NTI Students,

Writing assessments in the digital age, with an increasing number of tools available to research, write and edit for us, can be difficult to navigate. Academic Support will run a workshop to equip you with the necessary skills to approach assessment tasks mindfully and ethically.

Assessment Writing Process Workshop

Monday 24 March 2025, 2 pm (AEDT), 1 hour

This workshop comprises a short presentation on the assessment writing process. You will be guided through the three steps that characterise a mindful and ethical approach to assessment writing:

·       Reflecting – making the process conscious

·       Documenting – making the process transparent

·       Acknowledging – making the process explicit

This will be followed by a Q&A where you can discuss your own process and share your experiences of writing for NTI assessments with your peers. This workshop will be particularly useful for you if you either lack confidence in writing for assessments or are unsure how to write with integrity in an increasingly AI world.

Please register using this link.

Please note that places are limited due to the interactive nature of the workshops. Registration is essential and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. An additional workshop might be run depending on demand (date and time to be confirmed).

Warm wishes,

The Academic Support Team