The UCI Religious Studies community congratulates two student winners of the 2024–25 Betsy Tang and Kent W. Ho Award in Buddhist Studies for their early promise in Religious Studies.
Dr. Jon Pitt (East Asian Studies; Affiliate Religious Studies) selected two winning essays from the Narrating Nature in Japan course (Rel Stud 120/EAS 120 in Winter 2025 and describes each essay here:
Lisa Ziling Huang '28 / Major: Economics
In Lisa's untitled midterm essay, she carefully examined Zen master Dōgen's "Mountains and Rivers Sutra," demonstrating your close engagement with Zen Buddhist thought. You strongly support your claim that "By dissolving the distinction between human agency and natural agency, Dogen’s philosophy forces a radical rethinking of humanity’s place in the world." Between this excellent essay and Lisa's commitment to participation in this discussion section, we have decided to recognize her work with this award.
Daniel Rodriguez '27 / Major: Literary Journalism; Minor: Japanese Language & Literature, Creative Writing
Daniel's midterm essay, "Using Nature to Break Down Human Nature: How Zen Master Dogen Challenges Anthropocentric Ideologies to Cultivate a Harmony with Nature," demonstrates his close engagement with Zen Buddhist thought. Daniel's essay makes the salient claim that Dōgen "presents a philosophical challenge to anthropocentrism. By describing mountains, rivers, and all aspects of the world around humanity as active expressions of the Dharma, humanity holds no dominance in the natural order." Between this insightful essay and Daniel's commitment to participation in this discussion section, we have decided to recognize his work with this award.
The Tang/Ho Essay Award was a donor gift from Roland Ho—who now serves as UCI Vice Chancellor of Strategic Philanthropy, in honor of his parents for an essay in Buddhist Studies. Each year, the winning essays are sent to Roland Ho to be presented to his parents as exemplary work supported by this award.
The Betsy Tang and Kent W. Ho Award in Religious Studies comes with a monetary prize of $500 and a certificate acknowledging their achievement, which will be presented at the Religious Studies Awards, May 19, 2025.
Congratulations to Daniel and Lisa!