Venerable Master Hsing Yun announced at Hsi Lai University in Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California that the university has been granted Candidacy Status in the accreditation process by WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges) with effect from July 1, 2002. 

WASC Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities arrived at this decision on June 20, 2002 on the findings of two Review Teams which conducted field visits in March and October 2002. The Candidacy Status is a Preliminary Affiliation with the Commission and is an indication that the University is progressing toward Accreditation.

The university was founded eleven years ago based on the ideals of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. "The Dharma Coming West" advocates harmonious exchange between the East and the West applying the Dharma in both education and life. 

In its religious curriculum, Hsi Lai University conducts an average of twelve courses on Buddhism each semester. In addition, there are language classes on Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese. Furthermore, the university library collection includes rare editions of the Buddhist Canon in different languages and times. Other than English and Chinese, Buddhist publications are also available in Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, Pali, and Sanskrit.

With Candidacy Status, Hsi Lai University can better serve the educational needs of neighborhood students by expanding especially its undergraduate Degree Program in Business Administration and Religious Studies and both lower and upper division courses in General Education. Student become eligible to apply for state and federal financial assistance and the recognition of credits/degrees of the University by other institutions and employers is enhanced.

The Commission notes that the University is one of three associated with the same religious group, Fo Guang Shan Order (Buddha Light Mountain), one of the largest Buddhist organizations in the world. The University's mission is to provide a quality education based on American standards and traditions and to foster mutual recognition and respect among diverse religious systems and cultures, while providing a Buddhist framework to education.

The University has substantial resources to support its doctoral programs in the areas of Buddhist and religious studies, a fact affirmed by faculty and students in interviews with the team. In addition, the University provides significant access to library materials through the Internet and the interlibrary loan system.

The Commission notes that the University has taken steps to link its general education program to ideals, goals, and values associated with the unique mission of the University and its Buddhist underpinnings.

Hsi Lai University has been recognized as a Candidate for Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001. This status is a preliminary affiliation with the Commission awarded for a maximum period of four years. Candidacy is an indication that the institution is progressing toward Accreditation. Candidacy is not Accreditation and does not ensure eventual Accreditation.

The full letter with the Commission's recommendations for action is available on request.