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What We Do

At the Institute of Applied Meditative Studies (IAMS), we undertake multifaceted initiatives aimed at promoting the understanding and application of meditation for personal growth and societal harmony. Our diverse activities encompass:

Dedicating to Education

Research and Training in Buddhist Theory

Conducting in-depth studies into Buddhist philosophy, scriptures, and teachings to uncover timeless principles applicable to contemporary life.

Teaching of Meditative Practice

Providing comprehensive instruction in various meditation techniques, including mindfulness, concentration, loving-kindness, and insight meditation, tailored to the needs and levels of practitioners.

Application of Buddhist Practices

Offering frameworks for integrating Buddhist principles and practices into everyday life, addressing aspects such as family welfare, environmental sustainability, ethical business practices, personal development, and the cultivation of a balanced mind and body.

Language Learning

Facilitating the acquisition of common Buddhist languages such as Pali, English, Burmese, and Chinese to facilitate deeper understanding and engagement with Buddhist teachings across cultures.

Connecting one world

Facilitating Collaborations

Establishing partnerships and fostering collaborations between IAMS and educational institutions, corporate sponsors, philanthropic organizations, and community projects to amplify the impact of our initiatives.

Networking with Benefactors

Cultivating relationships with individuals and organizations aligned with our mission to secure support, funding, and resources for ongoing projects and research endeavors.

Building a Community

Charitable Projects

Initiating and organizing charitable initiatives, community outreach programs, and humanitarian efforts to address pressing societal needs, alleviate suffering, and promote social welfare.

Public Events

Hosting public events, seminars, workshops, and retreats to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and inspire positive change within local and global communities.

Practitioner Networking

Establishing networks of practitioners, meditation groups, and support communities to facilitate mutual learning, encouragement, and the exchange of experiences and insights on the meditative path.

Who we are

Ven. Tikkhañāṇa: A Journey of Insight and Dedication

Ordained in 2015 under the esteemed preceptor Pa Auk Sayadaw, Ven. Tikkhañāna has dedicated his life to the diligent practice of meditation. Guided by Pa-Auk Sayadaw and Kumarabhivamsa Sayadaw, he refined his meditative skills across various branches of the Pa-Auk Meditation Center in Burma.

In 2018, Ven. Tikkhañāṇa pursued an MA in Buddhist Studies at the University of South Wales, where his dissertation explored the intricate relationship between human materiality, mentality, and contemporary science. 

Beginning in his third vassa (Buddhist rainy season retreat) in 2018, Ven. Tikkhañāṇa started sharing his meditation experiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he returned to Vietnam and founded Santisukhavihara, a center dedicated to preserving the ancient values of Pariyatti (study) and Patipatti (practice). Residents there study the scriptures in the Burmese tradition and practice meditation based on the Abhidhamma.

Ven. Tikkhañāṇa has guided over 500 practitioners from various countries, conducted more than 20 meditation retreats, delivered over 200 Dhamma talks, written about 40 books about Theravāda Buddhism, leading many of his disciples to significant levels of attainment and bliss.

Fluent in multiple languages, Ven. Tikkhañānṇa adeptly teaches meditation to people in their native tongues. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Buddhist Philosophy at ELTE University in Hungary and is translating the third volume of the Paṭṭhāna into English. His research delves deeply into the Abhidhamma and meditation, reflecting his profound commitment to Buddhist studies and practice.

Our Team

Board of Management

Academic Board

Bhikkhu Tikkhanana

Chairman (Director of Studies)
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Mr. Phong Nguyen

Managing Director
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Ms. Hang Le

Vice Director: Driving Spiritual Development with Love
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Dr. Ngo Ba Toan

Senior Advisor: From Surgery to Serenity
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Institute of Applied Meditative Studies (IAMS)
With a commitment to excellence, we thrive in delivering exceptional solutions and building lasting partnerships. Our journey is defined by a relentless pursuit of growth.

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Ms. Hang Le is a highly skilled professional with extensive leadership experience since 1995. She holds an MBA from the Asian Institute of Technology, a BA in English, and a BA in Law, along with numerous certifications in leadership and coaching. Her career began as an Office Manager at Phillips Fox (now Allens), one of the first international law firms in Vietnam. She advanced her project management expertise through roles in a DANIDA-funded project and the American Red Cross and drove strategic growth as Deputy Director at HACO Investment and Construction.

Currently, Ms. Le is the Deputy Director at the Institute of Applied Meditative Studies (IAMS), where she supports practitioners in spiritual development. She coordinates various Buddhist events and festivals, develops processes to enhance IAMS management and operations, and organizes meditation retreats. Additionally, she edits Buddhist lessons, manages communication efforts, calls for funds and sponsorships, and collaborates on infrastructure projects. She also teaches Vietnamese to foreign venerable monks and assists them with visa applications and travel arrangements, playing a crucial role in supporting the international monastic community.

Kevin Phong Nguyen is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 25 years of business experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Australia, an MBA from the UK, and two graduate degrees in Pali and Buddhist Studies from Sri Lanka. His career includes senior management roles at major corporations such as Colgate-Palmolive, Leo Burnett, FPT, and Vinamilk. Passionate about education, he co-founded the Pathway chain of schools and partnered with various vocational colleges in Australia and leading educational institutions in Japan.

For 15 years, Kevin has deeply engaged in Buddhist study and practice. He emphasises practical application over scholarly pursuits, dedicating significant time to meditation and integrating Buddhist teachings into his life and business practices. His approach demonstrates how ancient Buddhist wisdom can enhance modern business practices.

Kevin currently leads the Institute of Applied Meditative Studies (IAMS), aligning its vision with his own by leveraging his extensive management experience and international relations skills to foster global partnerships. His unique combination of business expertise and spiritual dedication significantly contributes to the Buddhist community and beyond, embodying the IAMS mission to integrate meditative practices and Buddhist wisdom into everyday life.

Dr. Ngo Ba Toan, a distinguished Vietnamese orthopedic surgeon, has seamlessly blended his professional achievements with a profound commitment to Buddhist practice. He began his medical journey at Hanoi Medical University and advanced his training at Aix-Marseille University in France, with further residencies and fellowships in the USA, Taiwan, and France. Since 2005, he has been a cornerstone at Vietduc University Hospital, contributing significantly to the Vietnamese Orthopedic Association through lectures and international conferences. His research focuses on arthroscopic surgery, hip and knee arthroplasty, and trauma.

Dr. Toan’s dedication to Buddhism started in Hung Yen province and deepened in 2019 through formal studies. In 2021, he took refuge in the Three Jewels at Thien An Pagoda under Venerable Thich Dong Thanh and became a sāmaṇera in the Buddha’s Grace meditation course under Venerable Thich Thien Minh. Since 2022, he has practiced meditation at Santisukha Monastery with Venerable Tikkhanana and gained significant progress. As a member in charge of medicine at IAMS, he integrates his medical expertise with his spiritual practice, providing holistic care to his community.

Led by Ven. Tikkhañāṇa, a revered teacher deeply versed in meditation and Buddhist philosophy, our team at the Institute of Applied Meditative Studies (IAMS), coming from all walks of life, operates in harmony to advance the Buddhasasana through the cultivation of Paramis (perfections). Under his guidance, each member, whether in the Monastic Order such as monks, nuns, or novices, or in the lay community such as professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, or community members, contributes uniquely and is committed to integrating meditative practices and timeless Buddhist teachings into everyday life. Together, we strive to embody and uphold these principles, enriching the lives of many and fostering a profound understanding of the Dhamma.