Professor Imre Hamar, holding a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree, serves as Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies and Head of the Department of Chinese Studies at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE). He earned his PhD in 1997, habilitated in 2004, and became a full professor in 2008. His academic leadership spans multiple institutions, including directing the ELTE Confucius Institute since 2006. Doctor of Science (DSc) - Institute of East Asian Studies Professor - Department of Chinese Studies Director - Confucius Institute (since 2006) A leading scholar in Chinese Buddhism with a specialization in Huayan philosophy, Hamar has dedicated decades to studying Tang Dynasty religious thought, Buddhist exegesis, and classical Chinese texts. His research traces the development of Buddhist doctrines in China and their cross-cultural transmission through Central Asia. He has taught Chinese religious history, classical Chinese texts, and Buddhist philosophy across undergraduate and postgraduate levels at ELTE. His academic publications focus on the Huayan tradition , Avatamsaka-sutra interpretations, and Yogacara-Huayan synthesis . Recent works examine syncretism in Chinese Buddhist commentaries and the cult of Mount Wutai, reflecting his ongoing engagement with Buddhist sacred geography. Scientific recognition includes: Pro Universitate Award (Gold Level, 2010) Excellent Confucius Institute Director Award (2011) Fulbright Fellowship (University of Virginia, 2008-2009) Numata Guest Professorship (Hamburg University, 2010) He has received multiple research grants from the Japan Foundation, DAAD, and Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation. His editorial work includes co-editing Reflecting Mirrors: Perspectives on Huayan Buddhism (2007) and several volumes in the ELTE Sinological Workshop series.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Marianna Lazar is an Assistant Professor of Japanology at the Department of Japanology, Institute of Oriental Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Hungary. She also serves as a Lecturer at ELTE BTK (Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Humanities) Department of Japan starting in 2025. Her academic career bridges Hungarian and Japanese scholarly traditions, with extensive research experience in both countries. Her educational background includes a PhD in Cultural History from Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan (2018), with a dissertation titled 'The development of the Four Gods cult in East Asia - A study of the Japanese Four Gods cult.' She earned her MA in Japanology from Károli Gáspár Reformed University (2013) with studies also at Kobe University's Graduate School of Humanities in Japanese Art History (2012-2013). Her BA degree is in Oriental Languages and Cultures with Japanese specialization from Károli Gáspár Reformed University (2006-2010). In 2024, she obtained an Intermediate Level Examination in Japanese Archaeology (Kōko kentei chūkyū) from Nihon Bunkazai Hogo Kyōkai. Dr. Lazar specializes in ancient Japanese history (3rd-8th centuries), Japanese archaeology focusing on decorated mound tombs, ancient Japan-Korea-China relations, the Four Gods belief system in East Asia, and cultural-historical aspects of early Onmyōdō practices. Her research demonstrates how continental cultural elements were transmitted to and adapted within Japanese society, particularly examining ritual objects, ceremonial flags, and tomb art. She has published extensively on the integration of Chinese cosmological concepts into Japanese religious and cultural practices, with particular attention to the Four Gods symbolism across historical periods. Her scholarly output reveals consistent focus on the transmission and transformation of East Asian cultural elements, particularly examining how Chinese cosmological concepts were adapted within Japanese religious and cultural practices. Her work spans from ancient tomb murals and numismatics to ceremonial objects and ritual practices, showing remarkable interdisciplinary breadth while maintaining focus on cultural transmission patterns. The articles demonstrate increasing sophistication in methodology, combining archaeological evidence with textual analysis and comparative approaches. Köztársasági ösztöndíj (KRE, 2011) Kutatói (M.A.) ösztöndíj (Japanese Government/MEXT, 2012-2013) Kutatói (Ph.D.) ösztöndíj (Japanese Government/MEXT, 2014-2016) Érdi Tudományos Díj (Érd City Government, 2023) The Asiatic Society of Japan - Young Scholars' Programme (Hugh E. Wilkinson Foundation, 2023) Szenczi Molnár Albert Senior Prize (KRE, 2025) While Dr. Lazar has not served as a primary doctoral supervisor according to the available documentation, she has been actively involved in doctoral examinations as an opponent for numerous dissertations at ELTE, covering topics ranging from Buddhist cosmology to Edo period legal texts and modern Japanese society. Her academic service includes organizing TDK (Scientific Students' Association) conferences since 2020, serving as TDK leader for Japanese, Korean, and Chinese specializations, and participating in curriculum development including the creation of Korean Language and Culture specialization courses (2022-2024). She has also been a member of the Quality Assurance Committee at KRE Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences since 2022. Dr. Lazar is an active participant in multiple international research networks, including The Asiatic Society of Japan, European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology, European Association for Japanese Studies, and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Committee on Oriental Studies. Her research connects Hungarian scholarship with broader East Asian academic communities through regular participation in international conferences across Europe and online presentations for Japanese institutions. Her work bridges archaeological, historical, and art historical approaches to understanding premodern Japanese culture and its continental connections.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Dr. Pataki-Tóth Angelika serves as Assistant Professor at the Department of Japanology, Institute of Oriental Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Her scholarship bridges Japanese religious traditions and Christian missionary practices through philological analysis, with emphasis on contemporary congregational dynamics and historical mission strategies. She earned her MA in Japanese Studies in 2018 from KRE-BTK (the university's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences), maintaining advanced Japanese proficiency (university degree level) and C1 English certification. Her pedagogical portfolio includes Japanese language instruction, East Asian pop culture analysis, contemporary media studies, and specialized courses on Japanese social history and Christian mission challenges. Research trajectories reveal consistent focus on inculturation mechanisms within Japanese Christianity, particularly examining death rituals, Pentecostal movement sustainability, and the epistemological role of scientific sources in missionary contexts. Her methodology integrates historical analysis with anthropological observation of religious consciousness, frequently comparing Japanese Christian adaptations against Korean Pentecostal models. Publication trends demonstrate deepening engagement with ritual syncretism—especially Buddhist-Christian funerary practices—and the tension between indigenous religious frameworks and missionary innovation. Recurring motifs include the 'Second Chance Theory' in memorial ceremonies, objective source utilization in mission work, and the impact of Edo-period isolation policies on modern Christian outreach strategies.
Beatrix Mecsi , Associate Professor at Eötvös Loránd University , serves as Head of the Department of Korean Studies within the Institute of East Asian Studies. Her academic career spans decades of research and teaching in Korean art history, Buddhist studies, and intercultural competence. Research Interests Professor Mecsi specializes in Korean art history with particular focus on: Chan/Zen Buddhist iconography and its transmission East Asian tomb murals and cultural heritage Postcolonial interpretations of Korean art Korean language pedagogy in Central Europe Religious syncretism in East Asian contexts Publication Trends Her scholarship reveals consistent exploration of: Korean-Japanese intercultural exchange patterns Material culture analysis in Hungarian museum collections Buddhist visual narratives across East Asia Post-war cultural diplomacy through art exhibitions Educational approaches to Korean studies in Central Europe
Péter Száler is a Lecturer and Junior Research Fellow at the Department of Indian Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University of Budapest. His academic work focuses on Sanskrit literature, Hindu mythology, and Puranic traditions, with a particular emphasis on epic genealogies, sacred geography, and mythological analysis. Faculty: Institute of Oriental Studies Department: Indian Studies Email: szaler.peter@btk.elte.hu His research explores themes in Sanskrit epics and Purāṇas, including the symbolism of weapons in Kṛṣṇa narratives, animal representations in ancient Indian texts, and the intersection of mythology with historical and cultural contexts. Recent publications highlight comparative approaches to mythological motifs, such as the overlap between Buddhist and Hindu legends. Péter’s scholarly contributions span Sanskrit literature, Hindu epics, genealogical narratives, and sacred landscapes. His work integrates textual analysis with cultural and religious studies, offering insights into the evolution of mythological archetypes and their socio-political implications. Scientific Award: Junior Research Fellow (OTKA) His articles reflect a deep engagement with Sanskrit texts, comparative mythology, and the symbolic resonance of geography in Indian traditions. Péter’s teaching and research are closely tied to the Department of Indian Studies’ broader mission of advancing Oriental and Hindu studies at ELTE University.
Dávid JÓNÁS is a Lecturer at the Institute of East Asian Studies, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), affiliated with the Department of Buddhology and Tibetology and the Department of Chinese Studies. His work spans interdisciplinary research at the intersection of East Asian humanities and genetics. Doctoral Researcher at ELTE Contributor to Buddhist manuscript analysis and comparative literature Expert in canine genomics and evolutionary biology Dr. JÓNÁS’s research integrates East Asian Studies with genetic analysis , focusing on: Transcriptomic studies in aging dogs Genomic evaluation methods for livestock Behavioral genetics in non-human models Comparative analysis of Tibetan Buddhist texts His recent publications highlight trends in canine genomics and evolutionary biology , with secondary contributions to Vajrayana Buddhist literature . Key methodologies include transcriptome sequencing, haploblock analysis, and genome-wide association studies. Scientific contributions include: Advancing genomic selection accuracy in dairy cattle Elucidating age-related gene expression patterns in dogs Translating and analyzing classical Buddhist texts like Saraha’s Dohākośa As an academic, he maintains affiliations with ELTE’s East Asian Studies Institute and provides research expertise in both humanities and life sciences.
Ferenc Ruzsa is Professor at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, jointly affiliated with the Institute of East Asian Studies and the Department of Buddhology and Tibetology, and a core faculty member of the Department of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies. His research focuses on Indian philosophy—especially Sāṁkhya and Vedānta—Buddhist thought, and the philology of Sanskrit and Pali texts. Education: MA Indology & Philosophy, ELTE Univ. 1982 PhD (Sāṁkhya philosophy), Hungarian Academy of Sciences 1994 Habilitation in Philosophy, ELTE 2016 DSc (Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences) 2017 Research Interests: Ruzsa’s work explores classical Indian dualisms, the oral formation of philosophical sūtras, the no-self doctrine in early Buddhism, and comparative motifs across Greek and Indian philosophies. He has authored four books and over 90 articles, often blending rigorous textual philology with bold historical hypotheses. Publication Trends: Recent output (2022-25) interrogates the authorship of the Nyāya proof-of-God text Kusumāñjali , re-edits Sāṃkhya commentaries, and reconsiders the Buddha’s restriction of his doctrine to monastics, signalling sustained engagement with textual stratification and socio-religious context of early Indian thought. Honours: DSc title, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2017) University Habilitation in Philosophy (2016) Doctoral Supervision & Grants: No named advisees or specific grant details appear in the available sources; he is active in ELTE’s doctoral programmes and has received Hungarian National Research Fund support (OTKA K 75550). Labs & Teams: Ruzsa conducts research within ELTE’s long-standing Indology cluster and participates in international networks visible on Academia.edu (2,600+ followers, co-authors across Europe, India and Japan), though no dedicated lab is listed.
Dr. Balázs Szabó, Habil. Associate Professor at the Institute of East Asian Studies within Eötvös Loránd University, specializes in Japanese history and culture with a focus on pre-modern and Tokugawa period studies. He serves as Head of the Department of Japanese Studies and contributes to academic discourse through publications and teaching. Key Research Areas: Samurai education, Buddhist philosophy, martial arts history, and Tokugawa-era political dynamics. Academic Contributions: Translations and analyses of historical Japanese military and philosophical texts. Contact: szabo.balazs@btk.elte.hu | Room I. em. 240
Yangjin Zhuoga serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Buddhism and Tibetology at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. Her academic position involves teaching and research within the university's humanities framework, with physical presence at the campus address 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4/B, Room B ép. fszt. 9. Her scholarly focus centers on: Buddhist philosophical traditions Tibetan cultural and religious practices Comparative religious studies South Asian and Himalayan regional studies Contact is facilitated through her institutional email zhuoga.yangjin@btk.elte.hu , reflecting her active engagement in academic duties without indication of part-time status or retirement.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Zsuzsanna Kovi is an active Associate Professor and Head of Department at the Psychology Continuing Education Center within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Gáspár Károli Reformed University. She holds a PhD in Personality and Health Psychology from ELTE (2013) and an MA in Psychology from the same institution (2004). Her academic journey includes previous positions as Assistant Professor at ELTE and researcher roles at Straketing. Dr. Kovi's research spans cross-cultural comparative studies, health science research (particularly positive psychology, connection with nature, and reproductive health psychology), development of new measurement tools in personality psychology, and experiential/art therapy exploring nature's healing power. Her work demonstrates remarkable international collaboration, with research partnerships spanning South Korea, Canada, India, Thailand, the United States, and multiple European countries. She has developed specialized expertise in person-oriented statistical approaches to personality research. Her publication record shows exceptional productivity with over 662 independent citations, including numerous high-impact articles in journals like Scientific Reports, Journal of Sexual Medicine, and Sustainability. Her research demonstrates consistent integration of cross-cultural perspectives with psychological assessment, particularly in personality and sexual medicine domains. Notably, she maintains active collaborations with researchers across Asia, bringing Eastern philosophical perspectives into Western psychological frameworks. Köztársasági Ösztöndíj (2002) Év publikációja from KRE BTK (2014) Dr. Kovi actively supervises doctoral students, including Horváth Péter (KRE), Málnási-Csizmadia Anna (ELTE), and Biró Rita Zsófia (ELTE). She has participated in numerous significant research projects, including three-year grants on questionnaire validation, positive psychology, reproductive health psychology, and cross-cultural personality studies. Her international research mobility includes workshops and collaborations at institutions across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Dr. Zsuzsanna Renner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Indian Studies at Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest, Hungary). Her research focuses on Southeast Asian Buddhist art , cultural heritage management , and art history , particularly examining the intersections of colonial collecting practices, museum studies, and the preservation of historical landscapes. Research Interests : Southeast Asian Buddhist art, cultural heritage, museum practices, landscape conservation Key Contributions : Publications on emergency consolidation of temples at Angkor, Indonesian weaponry collections, and Javanese shadow puppetry Collaborations : Affiliated with the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Eastern Asiatic Arts and Cultural Heritage Studies Program at Central European University
Gergely Orosz is a Research Fellow at the Institute of East Asian Studies and a lecturer in the Department of Buddhology and Tibetology at Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest, Hungary). His academic work focuses on Buddhist studies and Tibetology, with an emphasis on historical and cultural analysis. Institute of East Asian Studies Department of Buddhology and Tibetology Research interests span core areas including: Buddhology Tibetology Religious Studies Asian History Philology Cultural Anthropology Contact: orosz.gergely@btk.elte.hu | Room 124, Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum körút 4/B
Peter-Daniel Szanto is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, Eötvös Loránd University, specializing in Buddhism and Tibetology. He serves as the Head of the Department of Buddhism and Tibetology and is also a lecturer within the same department. His research focuses on Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Himalayan cultural studies, and religious practices in South Asia. The department provides a hub for interdisciplinary work on modern Tibet and Buddhist philosophical systems. Email: szanto.peter@btk.elte.hu Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum körút 4/B Room: B 108
Birtalan Ágnes is a Professor at the Institute of East Asian Studies within Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), serving as Head of the Department of Korean Studies and Lecturer in the Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies . Her academic work focuses on shamanism, traditional Mongolian culture, and the historical intersections of East Asian religions. Research Interests : Shamanic traditions of Mongolia and Siberia, Mongol Empire historiography, Buddhism in Inner Asia, Korean religious systems, and Mongolian dialectology. Key Contributions : Co-authorship on Kalmyk ethnography, extensive fieldwork with the Hungarian-Mongolian Joint Expedition (1991–2008), and editorial leadership in Mongolian studies publications. Publications : Over 40 book chapters and articles, with a 2012 monograph on the Black Book of the Holy Chingis Khan , and a 2005-2007 multi-volume Festschrift for György Kara.
Mónika Kiss is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of East Asian Studies , Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) , specializing in the Department of Japanese Studies . Her academic work bridges Japanese Buddhist studies, art history, and ritual practices. Fields of Interest: Japanese Studies, Buddhist Studies, Art History, Heian Period, Ritual Studies, Materials Science Publications: 15 most recent articles focus on Esoteric Buddhism, iconography, bilingual education, and materials science. Contact: kiss.monika@btk.elte.hu Research Trends: Her work explores the evolution of Buddhist iconography, particularly Fugen Enmei Bosatsu, and intersections of East-West cultural exchange in art. She also contributes to materials science and education policy.
