Md Rakibul Hasan

Md Rakibul Hasan is a Lecturer in the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at the University of Dhaka, a position he has held since 2023. Hasan distinguished himself academically by securing first position in his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in 2019 and second position in his Master of Arts degree in 2020. He is currently pursuing an M.Phil. degree as a researcher. For academic excellence, he obtained the Arts Faculty Dean’s Awards in 2022.

His research is characterised by a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach that bridges the profound depths of classical Buddhist scholarship with pressing contemporary social issues. Mr Hasan's primary scholarly focus lies at the intersection of Buddhist philosophical systems and applied ethics. He investigates the potential of classical Buddhist doctrines—from the Abhidhamma's intricate metaphysics to the Suttas' practical instructions—to inform modern ethical frameworks addressing social justice, non-violent peacebuilding, and sustainable community development. This work positions him within the global field of Engaged Buddhism, with a particular emphasis on its application and relevance within the unique socio-cultural context of Bangladesh and the broader Bengal region.

A significant and complementary strand of his research is dedicated to the material and visual culture of Buddhism. Through the study of iconography, art, and archaeology, Mr Hasan explores the historical development of Buddhist thought, practice, and societal influence across South Asia. This historical inquiry provides a critical foundation for understanding the continuities and transformations in Buddhist identity and practice up to the present day.

Emerging from this robust traditional foundation is Mr Hasan's pioneering and timely investigation into the impact of digital technologies on religious life. He is developing a new research agenda examining how social media and digital platforms are reshaping religious expression, constructing new forms of Buddhist and interfaith identity, and facilitating (or complicating) conflict transformation and inter-religious dialogue in rapidly modernising societies. This work places him at the forefront of the growing field of Digital Religion studies within South Asian Buddhist contexts.