Members
Dr. Miroj Shakya
CEO
Dr. Miroj Shakya is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of the West in Rosemead, California, USA. His research interests include the Sanskrit language, Sanskrit literature, the Pali language, the Buddhist canon, Indian Mahayana Buddhism, Newar Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Hinduism. He serves as the Project Coordinator of the Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon Project (www.dsbcproject.org) and the Rare Buddhist Sanskrit Manuscript Preservation Project (rsbmpproject.org) at the University of the West. Additionally, he is the Director at the Nagarjuna Institute of Buddhist Studies in Lalitpur, Nepal, and serves as a Sanskrit Language Consultant at the Asian Legacy Library in Sedona, USA. Dr. Shakya is also a founding member of the Great Compassion Fund in Los Angeles, which provides funds for food and financial support to impoverished people in Nepal (greatcompassionfund.org).
Furthermore, he served as the Convener of the Sanskrit Language Working Group for the Union Catalog of Buddhist Texts, sponsored by the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU) in Bangkok, Thailand. Dr. Shakya has made contributions to academic publications, including his role as the editor of “Catalog of Digitized Rare Sanskrit Buddhist Manuscript Vol. 1 (2010)” and “Vol. 2 (2019),” as well as co-editor of the book titled “Sacred Art of Nepal” (2013). You can explore his academic publications at uwest.academia.edu/MirojShakya.
Ven. Sirinanda Unaleeye
SECRETARY
Venerable Sirinanda Unaleeye, a Buddhist monk originally from Sri Lanka. After finishing his bachelor’s degree in Sri Lanka, he earned his master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Thailand. Then he extended his Dhamma service by moving to the United States for Working as a Buddhist religious worker. He has been sharing his Dhamma knowledge and practice with diverse communities in Austin, Texas and currently in Los Angeles, California. Right now, he is a PhD candidate in Religious Studies at the University of the West, Rosemead, California. His research interests include Indian Buddhism, Pāli commentaries, Early Buddhism, and Spread of Buddhism. He is serving the community residing at Mindfulness Meditation Center in Los Angeles. Also, he has been working as the president of the Religious department Graduate Council in the University of the West where graduate students gather and organize academic and non-academic activities which pave the way to develop their leadership, organizing and a lot more experience in team work.
Szu-Yin Tseng
CFO
Ms. Szu-Yin Tseng is a professional Pranic Healer who has dedicated six years to the study of healing. She has successfully treated numerous clients dealing with mental health issues, stress, and physical pain. Ms. Tseng graduated from the University of the West with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering her hours for charity work, such as providing meals to the hungry in Downtown Los Angeles and offering free healing clinics.
Dinesh Shakya
MEMBER
Mr. Dinesh Shakya is an IT professional and a specialist in information technology responsible for managing, securing, and optimizing an organization’s technology infrastructure. Specially working with end device management solution and system administration, network management, cybersecurity, hardware and software, end-user support, and strategic planning. He worked at USD and AHA (Robot school). IT professionals typically hold relevant degrees or certifications and are vital for maintaining a company’s technological efficiency and security.
Milan Shakya
MEMBER
Mr. Milan Shakya is a distinguished Buddhist scholar, translator, and educator, with expertise in both Newar and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds master’s degrees in Buddhist Studies and Business Management and has over 25 years of experience in translation and teaching. He is currently serving as the Managing Director at the Nagarjuna Institute of Buddhist Studies and as a Lecturer at Sugata Buddhist College. Shakya has translated over 40 Buddhist texts and contributed to the preservation of rare Sanskrit manuscripts. His Buddhist training includes monastic study in Taiwan and teachings from renowned masters across multiple traditions.
Ms. Natalia Kao
MEMBER
Ms. Natalia Kao is committed to education, personal growth, and spiritual enrichment, dedicating her efforts to fostering connection and understanding. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Tamkang University, laying the foundation for a career marked by impact and inspiration. Among her professional achievements, she was honored with the “Go The Extra Mile” (GTEM) Leadership Award in 2013 during her time at Pfizer Ltd. Taiwan, recognizing her leadership and dedication.
With a strong commitment to education, she served as a Senior Project Manager at Paradigm Education, where she spearheaded efforts to bring “The Leader In Me” (TLIM) to schools across Taiwan, fostering leadership skills and personal development among students.
Her pursuit of deeper understanding led her to the University of the West, where she earned a Master’s degree in Religious Studies served as the Secretary of the Religious Studies Graduate Student Council.
Now based in San Francisco, Ms. Kao embraces roles that connect culture, spirituality, and community. As a Spanish Buddhist Instructor and Buddhist Storytelling Facilitator in the Mission District, she serves as a bridge, helping Spanish-speaking communities deepen their understanding of the Buddha’s compassionate teachings. She also supports local nonprofit organizations as a Social Media Coordinator and has participated in the “Love Without Limits” Donation Drive, aiding animal rescue centers, homeless and low-income families, and local food banks. Through her work, she promotes small acts of kindness that foster a warm, compassionate, and harmonious society.
Vaishali Gaidhani
MEMBER
Vaishali Gaidhani, currently is a PhD candidate in Religious Studies with concentration in Buddhist Studies, at University of the West, Rosemead, California. She has worked as Adjunct Faculty of Physical Sciences at the University of the West (2019 – 2022). She originally hails from India with a master’s degree in Physics (1992) and Pali and Buddhist Studies (2015). Her research interests embrace Pali literary studies related to the Tipitaka studies, sustainability and technology in Buddhism. Vaishali’s specialized scholarly interests include Abhidhamma and the Early Buddhist Texts, Indian Buddhism – Art and Archaeology and Spread of Buddhism. She teaches in seminars on Buddhism and the Pāli Tipitaka studies and has conducted several online lecture series on Theravāda Abhidhamma and Sutta studies (2016 – 2024). She has worked as the founder President of Religious Department Graduate Council and as the President of the Sustainable Investing Club at the University of the West.
Vaishali has a previous multi-disciplinary experience of 26 years in the corporate sector in the field of providing technological solutions in energy efficiency, water efficiency and other engineering solutions related to Sustainable Building Physics. She is also an accredited professional certified as a green building consultant (IGBC-AP). She has an overall experience in interactive education and environment.