ICDV ICDV-Committees

Ven. Dr. Bhante Chao Chu

Member

Ven. Dr. Bhante Chao Chu is a Sri Lankan-born Theravāda Buddhist monk, teacher, and international Buddhist leader based in the United States. He was ordained into the Buddhist monastic order in 1964 and completed his formal Buddhist education at a Buddhist college in 1970. He further pursued secular and religious studies abroad, including language and Buddhist studies in Hong Kong and at Nanjing University in China, and later earned advanced degrees in Buddhist studies — including an M.A. and Ph.D. in the field.

Bhante Chao Chu has been active in the U.S. since 1981, where he serves as President of the Los Angeles Buddhist Union (LABU) and President of the Center for Buddhist Development. He is also involved in multiple inter-Buddhist and interfaith leadership roles, including on the executive councils of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the World Buddhist Sangha Council, and the World Chinese Buddhist Sangha Congress. Additionally, he serves as Vice-President of the Inter-religious Council of Southern California and Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Buddhist-Catholic Dialogue. Ven. Chao Chu is also an advisor to the International Association of Buddhist Universities and a member of the International Council of the United Nations Day of Vesak (ICDV).

Beyond institutional leadership, Bhante Chao Chu is known for his teaching and lectures on Buddhist philosophy, social issues, and harmony, delivered in both English and Mandarin. He founded the Bosath Children’s Education Foundation, which provides underprivileged children — particularly in Sri Lanka and parts of Asia — with free education in computers and English, reflecting his commitment to social outreach rooted in Buddhist values.