Previous Teaching, Research, and Translation Activities, Other Assignments
January 1, 2018 – present
Team leader and translator for the 84,000, Translating the Words of the Buddha project, first in the Alexander Csoma de Kőrös Translation Group and later in the Āli Kāli Translation Group.
Translation of Kanjur and Tanjur texts from Tibetan into English, including glossary, summary, introduction, bibliography, and annotations.
October 1, 2015 – September 31, 2018
Research Fellow, ELTE BTK, Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies.
Funded by the National Research, Development, and Innovation Office (NKFIH, OTKA), PD 116108: Tibetan Funerary Rites in Mongolian Buddhist Practice: Ritual Order, Text Typology, and Text Processing.
Other university responsibilities: PhD supervision, membership in dissertation committees, preparation of preliminary doctoral reviews, participation as an examiner in final doctoral examinations.
September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2013
János Bolyai Research Fellowship (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, János Bolyai Research Fellowship Board).
Research topic: The Monastic System of Mongolian Buddhism, Major Monasteries, and the Activities of Their Religious Leaders from the 17th Century to the Early 20th Century.
May – August 2007
Researcher, ARTS Council of Mongolia – Gandantegchenlin Monastery:
Documentation of Mongolian Monasteries project (an international research project investigating the current state of old monasteries in Mongolia and the contemporary situation of Buddhism).
Four months of field research in three provinces of Mongolia. Together with Krisztina Teleki, I developed the research methodology and questionnaires used uniformly by all research teams during the nationwide study. These included:
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A Mongolian-Tibetan-English glossary of 877 entries,
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Methodology and questionnaire for interviewing elderly monks,
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Questionnaire on the functioning of revived contemporary monasteries,
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Questionnaire for documenting former, now-ruined monastic sites.
September 2005 – April 2006
Researcher, ARTS Council of Mongolia: Documentation of Mongolian Monasteries project.
2002 – 2005
Scholarship PhD student, ELTE BTK, Doctoral School of Linguistics (Department of Inner Asian Studies).
2002 – 2003
Part-time Librarian, ELTE BTK, Department of Inner Asian Studies.
2003 – 2004
Lecturer, ELTE BTK, Department of Inner Asian Studies.
Autumn semester: Mongolian Buddhist Terminology (lecture and seminar, with Tibetan and Sanskrit parallels).
2000 – 2001
Intern, Lecturer, ELTE BTK, Department of Inner Asian Studies.
Spring semester: Tibetan Culture (lecture).
1999 – 2000
Intern, Lecturer, ELTE BTK, Department of Inner Asian Studies.
Spring semester: Tibetan Culture (lecture), Classical Tibetan Grammar 2 (seminar).
University Duties Related to Teaching and Examination
2015 – 2018 (ELTE BTK, Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies):
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PhD supervision,
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Membership in dissertation defense committees,
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Preparation of preliminary doctoral reviews,
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Participation as an examiner in final doctoral examinations.
Other Short-Term Teaching Assignments
August 27 – September 2, 2018
Instructor, Mongolian Studies Camp (History of Mongolian Buddhism and Mongolian Buddhism Today lectures), Lakitelek, organized by ELTE Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies and Népfőiskola Alapítvány, Lakitelek.
August 28 – September 3, 2017
Instructor, 4th Mongolian Literary Translation Camp (translation exercises) and Mongolian Studies Camp (Mongolian Buddhism lecture), Lakitelek, organized by ELTE Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies and Népfőiskola Alapítvány, Lakitelek.
Teaching-Related Experience from Other Employment
December 9, 2013 – March 31, 2014
Instructor, Türr István Training and Research Institute – Budapest (Hungary):
Teaching basic competencies (numeracy, literacy reinforcement, study techniques, mental health, life skills) in an adult education program for a group of 21 individuals with low educational attainment.
2006 – 2007
English Teacher – Educator, Budai Sport Elementary School:
Teaching English to students in grades 2–8.
2005 – 2006
English Teacher, Dashchoilin College (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia):
Teaching English and Dharma English, conducting exams, consultations (individual tutoring), professional translations (from Mongolian to English), and interpretation.
Memberships
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Hungarian Academy of Sciences Public Body (Membership ID: 19690)
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Central Eurasian Studies Society (CESS)
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European Society for Central Asian Studies (ESCAS)
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Kőrösi Csoma Society
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Mongolian-Hungarian Friendship Society
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Tibet Society
Scientific / Professional Public Engagement and International Relations
October 1, 2015 – September 31, 2018
NKFIH, OTKA PD 116108: Tibetan Funerary Rites in Mongolian Buddhist Practice: Ritual Order, Text Typology, and Text Processing (ELTE BTK, Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies).
September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2013
János Bolyai Research Fellowship (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, János Bolyai Research Fellowship Board).
Research topic: The Monastic System of Mongolian Buddhism, Major Monasteries, and the Activities of Their Religious Leaders from the 17th Century to the Early 20th Century.
June – September 2009
Three-month Hungarian State Eötvös Fellowship.
May – August 2007
Four-month Stein Arnold Exploration Fund grant (British Academy) for fieldwork.
May – August 2007
Four-month travel grant (OTKA 62501, project led by Ágnes Birtalan).
May – August 2007
Four-month funding from the Dharma Gate Buddhist Foundation for participation in the ARTS Council of Mongolia project.
December 2006
Dharma Gate Buddhist Foundation: travel grant for the Young Mongolists’ European Workshop conference (Songeons, France).
September 2005 – February 2006
Six-month research fellowship from the Hungarian Scholarship Board at the National University of Mongolia.
January 2005 – April 2006
Fifteen-month funding from the Dharma Gate Buddhist Foundation for fieldwork.
June – September 2004
Three-month research fellowship from the Hungarian Scholarship Board at the National University of Mongolia.
2001 – 2002
Hungarian Republic Scholarship (awarded by the Minister of Education of Hungary).
June – August 2001
Two-month scholarship from the Pro Renovanda Cultura Hungariae Foundation – Student Exchange Movement Foundation for studies at the National University of Mongolia, Department of Buddhist Studies.
March – August 1999
Six-month partial study grant from the Hungarian Ministry of Education, Hungarian Scholarship Board, for study at the Mongolian State Pedagogical University.
April 2001
3rd place, National Conference of Scientific Students’ Associations (OTDK), Humanities Section, History category (The Material World of Mongolian Monasteries. Terminology).
Spring 2001
1st place, Orientalist Student Conference, ELTE BTK, Budapest (Sacrifices and Ritual Items in Mongolian Buddhist Rituals).
- Fieldwork:
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- Töw, Öwörkhangai, and Dundgov’ provinces: Documentation of ruins of former monasteries (150 sites), interviews with elderly former monks (35 interviews, 16 interviews with local elders). Documentation of current sanctuaries (40 sites), interviews with their monks (23 interviews). (3 months)
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- Ulaanbaatar: 9 new interviews with elderly monks living in Ulaanbaatar, collection of materials on pre-1937 Mongolian monasteries. Documentation of 3 new sanctuaries opened after 2006. (May, August)
- Grants:
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- Stein Arnold Exploration Fund, British Academy: Fieldwork support for the project ‘Memory of Elder Lamas on Ancient Monastic Sites’
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- Travel grant for the above fieldwork through the collaboration between ELTE Department of Inner Asian Studies and the Linguistic and Literary Institute of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (OTKA 62501 project)
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- Support from the Tan Kapuja Buddhist Foundation for participation in the ARTS Council of Mongolia project
- January 2005 – April 2006, 15 months
- Fieldwork, archival, and library research in Mongolia:
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- Research on the monasteries and sanctuaries of the ancient Mongolian capital (Ikh Khüree): Results offered to the Documentation of Mongolian Monasteries project (ARTS Council of Mongolia – Gandantegchenlin Monastery). (September 2005 – April 2006, 7 months)
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- Fieldwork:
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- In Ulaanbaatar and Central Mongolia’s monasteries: Interviews with elderly lamas (ranging from 85 to 106 years old, 31 lamas), collecting materials on pre-1937 Mongolian monasteries. (February – March 2006, 2 months)
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- In the Dashchoilin Monastery of Ulaanbaatar, and 32 other monasteries and sanctuaries in the city: Study of their annual ritual systems. (January 2005 – April 2006, 15 months)
- Grants and Support:
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- Hungarian Scholarship Committee: 6-month research scholarship at the Mongolian State University, Fall 2005 (September 2005 – February 2006)
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- Support from the Tan Kapuja Buddhist Foundation for fieldwork
- June – September 2004, 3 months
- Fieldwork and library research in Ulaanbaatar:
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- Fieldwork:
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- Dashchoilin Monastery, Ulaanbaatar: Study of offerings, ritual items, tools, and terminology of the material world, study of summer rituals. (3 months)
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- Library Research:
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- Tibetan collection at the Mongolian State Library: Study of Tibetan language descriptions of Mongolian sacred sites.
- Grants:
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- Hungarian Scholarship Committee: 3-month research scholarship at the Mongolian State University, Spring 2004 (June – September)
- June – August 2001, 2 months
- Fieldwork at the Dashchoilin Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, to learn about the monastery’s functioning and its ritual system.
- Grants and Support:
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- Pro Renovanda Cultura Hungariae Foundation, Student Exchange Movement Szakalapítvány: Scholarship to the Buddhist Studies Department of the Mongolian State University, Summer 2001, 2 months
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- Support from the Tan Kapuja Buddhist Foundation for fieldwork
- March – August 1999, 6 months
- Studies at the Mongolian State Pedagogical University, Department of Mongolian Language (Spring 1999, 3 months)
- Fieldwork at rural Mongolian monasteries (Summer 1999, 3 months)
- Grants:
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- Hungarian Ministry of Education, Hungarian Scholarship Committee: Partial training scholarship at the Mongolian State Pedagogical University, Spring 1999, 3 months
- SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES, LECTURES
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- November 22, 2018, Animals in the World’s Religions. History of Religion Workshop. ELTE Faculty of Humanities – PPKE Faculty of Humanities: “Vulture Calling” Buddhist funeral rites among the Mongols.
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- November 5-7, 2018, The Image as Instrument and as Reflection of Ritual in Central Asia and the Himalaya: from Antiquity to the Present, UNIOR University of Naples L’Orientale Department of Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean – SEECHAC European Society for the Study of Civilizations of the Himalayas and Central Asia – ISMEO, International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, Center for Buddhist Studies, UNIOR, Center for Central Asian, Tibet, and Iran Studies, DAAM, Naples, Italy: On a text of mantra recitation and sādhana of Avalokiteśvara based on the Soyombo symbol, written by Öndör gegeen Zanabazar, the first head of Mongolian Buddhism.
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- May 6-9, 2018, The Second International Conference “Mongolia and the Mongols: Past and Present”, Warsaw, Poland, University of Warsaw, presentation and planned article in English: Texts for ‘Calling the Vultures’ from Mongolia.
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- May 3, 2018, Workshop on Mongolian Buddhism, dedicated to the Ceremonial Reception of the Mongolian Buddhist Canon and Mergen Gegen Monastery’s Sutra Collection at Eötvös Loránd University, Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Humanities, Department of Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies, Mongolian Research Center, Buddhism Research Center, in cooperation with the Mongolian Embassy in Hungary (supported by the Khyentse Foundation, the Dharma Gate Buddhist Church, and the Mönkhiin Urlag Gallery), lecture in Mongolian: Burkhan boloochdiin khoitiin zan üiliin talaar Mongold khiisen sudalgaa (Fieldwork in Mongolia on funeral rites).
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- March 25, 2018, Muditá – Dharma Community for Seniors, popular science lecture: Mongolian Buddhism.
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- October 26, 2017, Kőrösi Csoma Sándor and Hungarian Indigenous Research, Ungariin töwd sudlaach Kööröshi Choma Shaandor ba ungaruudiin garal üüseliin sudalgaa, panel discussion organized by the Hungarian Embassy in Ulaanbaatar and the Department of Inner Asian Studies at ELTE, and the Mongolian Research Center, Ulaanbaatar, lecture in Mongolian: Kőrösi Csoma Sándor tibetológiai kutatásai és hagyatéka.
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- May 5, 2017, Rebirth and Liberation in Buddhism Conference, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Buddhism Research Center, with support from the Khyentse Foundation, Presentation and planned article in Hungarian: ’pho ba és ’pho krid gyakorlatok speciális szövegei Mongóliában.
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- April 24-25, 2017, Mongolian Buddhism: “Buddhism in Practice” Conference, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Department, Mongolian Research Center, Presentation and article in English: The “Mongolian Books of the Dead”: outcomes of a fieldwork.
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- February 25, 2017, Fieldwork in the 21st Century in the Far East Conference, Pázmány Péter Catholic University Faculty of Humanities Modern East Asia Research Group – MTA Institute of Ethnology, PPKE Faculty of Humanities Sophianum, presentation and article in Hungarian: Kolostori kutatómunka Mongóliában.
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- November 10, 2016, Death and Sacrality Religious History Workshop, Pázmány Péter Catholic University Faculty of Humanities, PPKE Faculty of Humanities Sophianum, Presentation: A tudatosság vezetése, tiszta földek, kívánságimák a jó születésért, megtisztítás, erénygyűjtés: a mongol buddhizmus temetési szertartásai.
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- October 14-15, 2016, “PURUM ET IMMUNDUM” scientific conference on religious purity and impurity, ELTE Faculty of Humanities Religious Studies Center, Presentation and article: A bűnök rituális megtisztítása, tabuk: A holttest kezelése és az elhunyt tudatosságának segítése a mongol buddhizmus halotti szertartásaiban.
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- September 30, 2016, Researchers’ Night, ELTE Faculty of Humanities Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Department, popular science lecture: A mongol buddhizmus fő imája Öndör gegen Dzanabadzar, az első mongol egyházfő tollából.
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- May 17, 2016, Traveling to the Heart of Asia: A History of Western Encounters with Mongolia Workshop, Brno, Department for the Study of Religions, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, Presentation and article in English: On After-Death Ritual Texts Mentioned by Travellers (A. M. Pozdneev and Bálint Gábor of Szentkatolna).
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- February 28, May 22, November 02, 2016, Muditá – Dharma Community for Seniors, 3-part popular science lecture: Conscious Preparation for Death, Helping the Dying and Grieving Practices in Buddhist Perspective 1-3.
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- January 26, 2016, Kőrösi Csoma Society Lecture (Reading Session), Lecture: Tibetan Buddhist Funeral Rites in the Practice of Mongolian Buddhism.
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- November 23-24, 2015, The International Conference “Mongolia and the Mongols: Past and Present”, Warsaw, Poland, University of Warsaw, Section of Inner Asian Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, Lecture in English: Mongolian Mourning and Burial Traditions and Tibetan Bardo-Teachings and After-Death Rites in Mongolia.
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- June 09, 2014, Skanzen, popular science lecture: Religion in Ruins: The Study of Former and Present Monastic Sites.
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- April 16-17, 2015, Mongolian Buddhism – Past, Present, and Future, International Workshop dedicated to the 380th anniversary of the birth of Öndör Gegeen Zanabazar, ELTE Faculty of Humanities Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Department – Mongolian Research Group – Buddhism Research Center – MTA Institute of Ethnology, Lecture and article in English: Preliminary Notes on Tibetan After-Death Rites in Mongolian Buddhist Practice: Texts, Text Types, Ceremonial System.
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- March 11, 2010, Mongol-Ungarian Soyol, Shinjlekh Ukhaanii Khariltsaa, Khamtiin Ajillaga 60 Jild [60 Years of Hungarian–Mongolian Scientific and Cultural Relations Conference], Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Humanities, Budapest, Lecture in Mongolian with Krisztina Teleki: Mongoliin Burkhan Shashnii Sudlaliin Arga Baril [New Methods in Mongolian Buddhism Research].
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- September 03-05, 2009, European Society for Central Asian Studies (ESCAS) XI. Conference: ’Studying Central Asia: In Quest for New Paths and Concepts?’, Concepts of Space and Use of the Environment in Central Asia panel, Central European University, Budapest, Lecture and article in English: Monasteries in the Mongolian Landscape Once and Today.
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- April 03, 2009, Orientalist Day 2009 Conference, MTA Oriental Studies Committee – ELTE Institute of East Asian Studies, Budapest, Lecture and article: Kolostor és szentélytípusok a régi Mongóliában.
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- November 14-17, 2008, Contemporary Mongolia ‘Transitions, Development, and Social Transformations’ Conference, University of British Columbia, Program on Inner Asia, Institute of Asian Research, Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, The Revival of Buddhism in Mongolia in the Context of Post-Socialist Society panel, Buddhism and Contemporary Society Program, Institute of Asian Research & Department of Asian Studies, Canada, Vancouver, Lecture and article in English: Present-Day Mongolian Buddhist Temples: Continuation or Disjuncture with the Past and the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.
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- December 17, 2007, Fifty Years of Fieldwork in Inner Asia Conference, ELTE Faculty of Humanities Inner Asian Studies Department, Budapest, Lecture with Krisztina Teleki: Három megye egykori és mai kolostorai. Terepmunka 1937 előtti és 1990 utáni buddhista kolostorok helyszínein.
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- November 28, 2007, Buddhism’s Local Colors Conference, MTA Institute of Ethnology – Dharma Gate Buddhist College – Hungarian Society for the Study of Religion, Budapest, Lecture and article: Buddhista múlt és jelen a mongol vidéken.
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- February 27, 2007, Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Society Meeting, Budapest
- Lecture with Krisztina Teleki:
- ‘Former and Current Monasteries of Ulaanbaatar. A Summary of Two Researches.’
- January 02-07, 2007, Young Mongolist’s European Workshop and Conference, Center for Mongolian & Siberian Studies, EPHE (Sorbonne), Songeons, France.
- Presentations in English with Krisztina Teleki:
- ‘Old Temples of the Current Ulaanbaatar Area; Survey on the Currently Working Temples of Ulaanbaatar’
- Powerpoint presentation in English with Krisztina Teleki:
- ‘Revival of the Tsam Dance in Mongolia’
- Teamwork theme in English:
- ‘Revival and Rivalry of Buddhism and Christianity in Present-Day Mongolia’
- Posters in English with Krisztina Teleki:
- ‘Bogdiin Khüree – Paintings and Maps as Sources’,
- ‘Bogdiin Khüree – Collecting Oral History from Old Monks’,
- ‘Active Buddhist Monasteries – Ulaanbaatar, 2006’
- November 30, 2004, III. Tibet Conference, Shambhala Tibet Center, Budapest.
- Lecture with Krisztina Teleki:
- ‘Offering Sacrifice to the Wrathful Deities’
- July 15, 2004, Zaluu Mongolch Erdemtdiin Zunii Surguul’, International Scientific Conference of Young Mongolists, Mongolian Academy of Sciences – Mongolian Ministry of Education and Culture – Cultural University, Ulaanbaatar.
- Lecture and article in Mongolian:
- ‘The Terminology Related to the Material Culture of Mongolian Monasteries’
- April 2003, XXVI. OTDK, Humanities Section, Veszprém.
- Lecture and paper:
- ‘Sacrifices and Ritual Objects in the Context of the Mongolian Buddhist Ritual System. Terminology.’
- January 2003, Orientalist Day 2003, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Oriental Studies Committee – ELTE Oriental Studies Institute, Budapest.
- Lecture and article:
- ‘Sacred Site Descriptions, Monastery Histories, Pilgrimage Routes in Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Literature’
- Spring Semester 2001/2002, Orientalist TDK, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Budapest, First place,
- Lecture and paper:
- ‘Sacrifices and Ritual Objects in the Context of the Mongolian Buddhist Ritual System’
- April 2001, XXV. OTDK, Humanities Section, History Division, Szeged, Third place,
- Lecture and paper:
- ‘The Material Culture of Mongolian Monasteries. Terminology.’
- Spring Semester 1999/2000, Orientalist TDK, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Budapest, Second place,
- Lecture and paper:
- ‘The Material Culture of Mongolian Monasteries’
- Autumn Semester 2001/2002, Scientific Scholarship, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Budapest, 3rd level,
- Scientific paper:
- ‘The Material Culture of Mongolian Monasteries. Terminology and Description’
- Spring Semester 2000/2001, Scientific Scholarship, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Budapest, 2nd level,
- Scientific paper:
- ‘A Tibetan Genre of Sacred Site Descriptions: The Dkar-cshag Literature’
- Spring Semester 1999/2000, Scientific Scholarship, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Budapest, 3rd level,
- Scientific paper:
- ‘The Material Culture of Mongolian Monasteries’
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- Other Professional Activities
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- Editorial work (conference proceedings, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Department of Inner Asian Studies)
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- Professional proofreading (Mongolian literary translation volumes, ELTE Faculty of Humanities, Department of Inner Asian Studies)
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- Translation experience: Hungarian-English, English-Hungarian, Mongolian-English/Hungarian, English/Hungarian-Mongolian directions (Hydea S.r.l., MOL Rt., Maintenance Team, InterContact Translation and Interpreting Agency)
- Language Studies, Language Exams:
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- English: Advanced (2004)
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- Written Tibetan: Advanced (2003)
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- Mongolian (Khalkha and Classical Mongolian): Advanced (2002)
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- Chinese: HSK3 level (98%, March 2017)
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- Sanskrit: Knowledge of script at the transcription level, Buddhist texts
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