Draft:Gábor Karsai
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Gábor Karsai | |
|---|---|
 Gábor Karsai giving a lecture at the Dharma Gate Buddhist College | |
| Born | 17 January 1974 |
| Alma mater | Eötvös Loránd University, Szeged University |
| Occupation(s) | Philosopher, religious scholar, academic administrator |
| Known for | Buddhist studies, academic leadership, international organizations |
Gábor Karsai (born 17 January 1974) is a Hungarian philosopher, scholar of religion, practicing Buddhist, and dharma teacher. He is a member of the board of directors of the Dharma Gate Buddhist Church, as well as a teacher and rector (2005–2007, and since 2019)[1] at the Dharma Gate Buddhist Collage. He also leads Mind and Life Europe, an institute dedicated to the dialogue between science and contemplative traditions.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Karsai was born in Orosháza, but his family originates from Battonya, in Békés County. His mother worked as an accountant, his father as a carpenter. He started elementary school in his hometown, but at the age of 10, he moved to Szeged to attend the Ortutay Gyula Kollégium boarding school (1984–1992). He completed his secondary education at the Radnóti Miklós Experimental High School, graduating in history.[3]
From a young age, Karsai showed a deep interest in learning and the fundamental questions of existence. At 17, he became a regular participant in discussions of the early Christian apostolic church, and the study of the Bible became central to his life.[3] Dissatisfied with the intellectual answers he found in Christianity, he turned to philosophy.[4]
He began his university studies in law in 1992, but soon realized his main interest was philosophy. In 1993, he enrolled in the philosophy program at Szeged University (1993–1995). There, he learned Latin and Ancient Greek to read original philosophical texts. While continuing his studies, he discovered a book of the Buddha’s discourses, which led him to enroll at the Dharma Gate Buddhist College in 1995. He completed his Latin and Ancient Greek studies in Szeged with an individual curriculum in 1996. He also attended the philosophy program at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest (1996–2001), where he received his degree in 2001. During this time, he studied Sanskrit and Hindi at the Indology department (1997–2001), making him a student at three higher education institutions simultaneously.[5]
Academic and professional career
[edit]Karsai did not complete his studies at the Buddhist college, as he was invited to become a teacher there in 1996. Through his teaching, he became deeply engaged with the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, which became his primary focus.[4]
In 1998, he traveled to the United States with his teacher to attend a Whitehead conference, where he also gave a lecture. The following year, he participated in a year-long research program in Claremont, California. After returning, he continued teaching at the Buddhist college and became head of department in 2001. He also began doctoral studies in phenomenology at ELTE (2001–2004).[6]
From 2005 to 2007, he served as rector of the Buddhist college, leaving after internal disagreements. His focus then shifted to ethics, social realities, and organizational management. He was approached by philanthropist and businessman Gábor Kovács to help lead Bankár Holding Zrt. He contributed to the creation of the KOGART Holding concept and the vision of the Sopronbánfalva Monastery.[7]
From 2011 to 2013, he was director of the Geneva-based World Servers Foundation. From 2013, he became director of the Iceland-based Spirit of Humanity Forum and secretary general of the Education 4 Peace Foundation. Since 2014, he has been a member and, since 2015, a board member and strategic advisor of the Israel-based Elijah Interfaith Institute, a leading international organization for interfaith dialogue.[8][9]
In 2016/2017, he served as executive director of the Taiwanese Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society and became a member of the Mind & Life Europe institute, serving as its director since 2021. Since 2019, he has been rector of the Gate of Dharma Buddhist College once again.[5]
Other social activities
[edit]- 1996–2008: Active member of the TeKi KaGyü community of the Gate of Dharma Buddhist Church.
- 2010: Contributed to the organization of the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit to Hungary.
- 2010–2011: Assisted in the property acquisition for the Dhammadípa (Island of Dharma) Community in Bajna.
- 2010: Contributed to the concept and founding of the TEDx Danubia event series.
- 2011: Created and organized the Sopronbánfalva Ecumenical Religious Festival and the “World Religions in the Mirror of Social Sciences” conference, with participants including Asztrik Várszegi and Elemér Hankiss.
- 2016–2019: Member, and in 2018–2019, chair of the Higher Education Committee of the Gate of Dharma Buddhist Church.
Translations
[edit]- Kirk, Raven, Schofield: Pre-Socratic Philosophers (Budapest: Atlantisz, 1998; contributed to the translation of Heraclitus and the atomists with K. Cziszter and K. Steiger)
- Marilia Albanese: North India – The Melting Pot of the East (Budapest: Gabo, 1999)
- Mahendravikramavarman: Master and “Angel” (Bhagavadajjukam) – Sanskrit comedy, radio play (Kossuth Radio, 2001; translated with T. Körtvélyesi)
- Alfred North Whitehead: Process and Reality – A Cosmological Essay (Budapest: Typotex, 2001; translated with L. Fórizs)
- Antoine Vergote: Guilt and Desire: The Religious Perspective and Its Distortions (Semmelweis University Institute of Mental Hygiene, Dialogue Foundation, 2008; translation used by Zs. Mohi)
- Peter J. King: One Hundred Great Philosophers: The Lives and Views of the World’s Greatest Thinkers (Budapest: Gabo, 2005)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Portré – Karsai Gábor, A Tan Kapuja Buddhista Főiskola új rektora". buddha.fm. 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ^ "Karsai Gábor - a Tan Kapuja oldalán". tkbf.hu. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ a b "Mondd meg nekem, ki vagy te - Beszélgetés Karsai Gáborral". Tan Kapuja. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ a b "Gábor Karsai". Upaya Zen Center. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
Gábor Karsai is a philosopher and Buddhist teacher, and has served as a faculty member at the Dharma Gate Buddhist College.
- ^ a b "Team". Mind & Life Europe. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
Gábor Karsai is Director of Mind & Life Europe.
- ^ "Whitehead and Buddhism". Open Library. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
Gábor Karsai has contributed to the field of process philosophy and participated in international conferences on Whitehead.
- ^ "Faculty". Dharma Gate Buddhist College. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
Gábor Karsai has been a long-time faculty member and has held leadership roles at the college.
- ^ "Gábor Karsai". Elijah Interfaith Institute. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
Gábor Karsai is a board member and strategic advisor to the Elijah Interfaith Institute.
- ^ "Team". Spirit of Humanity Forum. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
Gábor Karsai has served as Director of the Spirit of Humanity Forum.
External links
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