ONGOING ACADEMIES
The 4th HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA)
The 4th HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA)
The International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) is not simply a platform for information exchange. It is designed as a program in which each religious tradition presents its own scriptures and shares its own interpretive perspective. Through direct engagement with scriptural teachings—rather than debate or comparison—participants gain a more balanced and respectful understanding of other faiths. This process contributes to building a foundation for coexistence in a pluralistic society.
The 4th International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) 2026 has been organized in this spirit, focusing on themes that are both central within various religious traditions and meaningful to the broader public.
The 4th IRPA Week 1 Speaker Introduction
* Each lecturer will deliver 10 min-long lectures.
Buddhism
Dr. Venerable Phrabuddhivajiramedhi
Director, Academic Service Center, Mahamakut Buddhist University, Isan Campus
2007 – present Director of Academic Service Center, Mahamakut Buddhist University,
Isan Campus (Khon Kaen & Kalasin Province)
2025 – present Director of Kalasin College; MBUISC
2025 – present Vice Sangha Provincial Governor of Khon Kaen (Dhammayut)
Christianity
Mr. Woo, Jae-un
Instructor, Andrew Tribe, Shincheonji, Church of Jesus
2023.02 – 2026.02 Head of the international Department, Ulsan Church, Andrew tribe
2022.11 – 2023.02 Lecturer, Theology Department, Ulsan Church, Andrew Tribe
2015.06 – 2022.11Evangelist, Theology Department, Ulsan Church, Andrew Tribe
Hinduism
Swami Shaileshanand Giri
Mahamandaleshwar, Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara
2016 – present Mahamandleshwar of Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada
2010 – present Leader of Shant Advait Ashram center
1989 – 2004 Spokesman of Indian National Congress
Islam
Shaykh Issa bin Yahya Al Ninowy
Head Imam and Spiritual Advisor, Masjid Hamzah
Former Imam, Aleppo, Syria
Senior Instructor, Madina Institute (International Programs)
Specialist in Qur’anic Recitation & Islamic Law
Advocate for Global Religious Education & Dialogue
Sikhism
Inderpal Singh
Director Overseas, Global Education Mission, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle
2021 – 2025 Honorary Director of Nankana Sahib Education Trust, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
(Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee)
The 4th IRPA Week 2 Speaker Introduction
* Each lecturer will deliver 10 min-long lectures.
Buddhism
Dr. Khemissaralankara
Associate Professor, Department of Suttanta, Global Dhamma Foundation University
Professor & Head, Department of English, Dedaye Nikaya Buddhist University
Meditative Master (Samatha & Vipassana based on Theravada Buddhist Tradition)
Preacher of Theravada Suttas
Lecturer in English, Buddhist Philosophy & Research Methodology
Christianity
Mr. Kim, Kang-yong
Instructor, Bartholomew Tribe, Shincheonji Church of Jesus
2023. 08 – Present Lecturer of the Theology Department, Gwangmyeong Church, Bartholomew Tribe
2024. 01 – 2025. 06 Head of the Theology Department, Gwangmyeong Church, Bartholomew tribe
Hinduism
Gita Manshi Swami Shri Gyananand Ji Maharaj
Founder of GIEO GITA
Founder of Gieo Gita Kurukshetra, which has 200 million members and 100 centers worldwide
Author of nearly 400 books on almost all aspects of Human life
Interpreter of Entire Vedic Scripture – Bhagwad Gita , Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads
Islam
Sheikh Awat Mahmoud Naqshbandi
Imam and Preacher, Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Officially appointed Imam and Preacher by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Master’s degree in Qur’anic Interpretation and Qur’anic Sciences from Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan
Founder of Al-Hayat (Zhyan) Radio and Voice of Scholars Radio in Erbil
Sikhism
Inderpal Singh
Director Overseas, Global Education Mission, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle
2021 – 2025 Honorary Director of Nankana Sahib Education Trust, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
(Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee)
The 4th IRPA Week 3 Speaker Introduction
* Each lecturer will deliver 10 min-long lectures.
Buddhism
Dr. Nergui Sainbuyan
Great Supreme Abbot of Sain Nomuun Monastery
1998 Founded “Chandmani-Erdene” Buddhist Secondary School at Sain Nomuun Monastery
1990 – present Researched and translated religious texts by Namkhaijamts and Zaya Bandida
1990 – present Published over 100 commentaries on Buddhist education and research
Christianity
Mr. Ko, Joon-Woo
Instructor, Peter Tribe, Shincheonji Church of Jesus
2025.01 – 2026.01 Lecturer, International Theology Department, Gwangju Church, Peter Tribe
2019.05 – 2021.07 Lecturer, Theology Department, Gwangju Church, Peter Tribe
2014.11 – 2015.07 Head of the international Department, Peter Tribe
Islam
Dr. Hussain Ali Nawab
Maulana, Jaffari Center Atlanta
2010 – Present Head of Islamic Education, City of Knowledge Islamic School; leading Madressa programs for youth and adults
1994 – Present Imam and Resident Alim, Jaffari Center, Atlanta, USA
1988 – 1995 Studied Islamic Education at Hawzah-e-Elmya, Qom, Iran
Sikhism
Dr. Dharam Singh
Retired Professor of Punjabi University, Patiala
Books Authored:
2025 Bhai Jaita: Portrait of Courage and Sacrifice. Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi
2010 Sikhism and Religious Pluralism. Punjabi University, Patiala
1998 Dynamics of the Social Thought of Guru Gobind Singh. Punjabi University, Patiala