Bibek Sharma

Profile

Bibek P. Sharma obtained his BA in Buddhist Studies from the International Buddhist School in Thailand, specializing in the Pāli and Sanskrit track. He earned an MA in Buddhist Studies from Fo Guang University in Taiwan and a PhD (2023) from Mahidol University in Thailand, where he translated two Sanskrit texts: the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya and its sub-commentary, the Vyākhyā by Yaśomitra. He is currently part of a translation project with the Bukkyō Dendō Kyōkai (BDK) in Japan, working on the translation of Xuanzang’s Chinese version of the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya (阿毘達磨倶舍論, Āpídámó Jùshè Lùn). 

Research Interests

His main research interests include Buddhist philosophy as expressed in the non-Mahāyāna Abhidharma and Madhyamaka; Buddhist sūtras in Sanskrit, Chinese, and Pāli; comparative studies between Buddhist and Vedic-Hindu philosophies; and the dialogue between Buddhism and science. 

Additionally, he has received teachings from practice lineages of both, the Tibetan and Chinese traditions. He regularly volunteers for the “Sakya Mitraharu” Foundation, interpreting (English–Nepali) live transmissions of teachings and initiations given by Tibetan lamas. 

Bibek has taught in Thailand (International Buddhist College), India (Carleton College’s program in India), and Malaysia (Than Hsiang Buddhist Institute), and has also been involved in pedagogical activities at other institutions such as Wenli Academy (China). 

Publications:

His upcoming publication explores the concept of the eighty-four thousand dharma-aggregates as presented in non-Mahāyāna Abhidharma texts in Sanskrit and Chinese.