Most Venerable Sunyananda was invited to Thiền Viện Thích Thiên Ân in Atlanta Georgia for the week of June 7th 2015 for the occasion of Vesak. While there he delivered a dharma talk on the requested subject of "Buddhism and Mental Health", alongside meeting invitations to give presentations at Emory University, and Atlanta Soto Zen Center.
Uniquely, while in Atlanta, Most Venerable Sunyananda had the opportunity to spend several days with a very senior master from Vietnam, the Most Venerable Dr. Thích Trí Siêu (Lê Mạnh Thát), the Chief Historian of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam, and President of the Buddhist college at Vạn Hạnh University. The two spoke at length on the subject of the changing face of Buddhism in modernity, and how to meet the challenges facing the propagation of the dharma in the contemporary world. The very exciting conversations, which included the mission, vision, and parameters of the UBC culminated in plans being laid for Ven. Sunyananda to visit Vietnam at the invitation of Most Venerable Trí Siêu, whom also presented him with a signed copy of his book "Trần Nhân Tông: A Biographical Study" detailing the life of the Vietnamese Emperor who would go on to found the Trúc Lâm (Bamboo Grove) Thiền (Zen) school.
Most Venerable Sunyananda has further been invited to give regular (monthly) retreats in Atlanta beginning in July, and will be delivering a keynote address during the joint Vietnamese Buddhist Vu Lan (Ullambana Festival) in September.
Most Venerable Sunyananda has further been invited to give regular (monthly) retreats in Atlanta beginning in July, and will be delivering a keynote address during the joint Vietnamese Buddhist Vu Lan (Ullambana Festival) in September.