The Postdoctoral Research Abroad Program, sponsored by Ministry of Science and Technology, is intended to subsidize Taiwanese postdoctoral researchers to conduct research at an accredited educational institute abroad. The goal of this program is to encourage qualified individuals to gain research experience overseas, develop their global perspective, and strengthen international collaborations for a maximum of two years.
Dr. Tu, Chun Han is a qualified award recipient of Postdoctoral Research Abroad Program (PRAP). He receives a grant from Ministry of Science and Technology for one year to perform his postdoctoral research at the Ghent Centre for Buddhist Studies, Department of Languages and Cultures, Ghent University.
His research topic is "Research on Ethical Issues of Assisted Death and Patient Care from the Perspective of Buddhist Vinaya." The research draws on the content and origins of the first precept, ahimsa, that condemns the killing of animate beings in vinaya texts, to explore how the religion morally equates assisted death with this precept. The research also go on to investigate how the vinayas reflect ethical principles and regulations applicable to the care of sick monks.