Yifa (, born 1959) is a Taiwanese scholar and writer and the founder of the organization, Woodenfish Foundation. She is a nun ordained in 1979 by Fo Guang Shan, a Buddhist organization in Taiwan. Yifa holds a law degree from the National Taiwan University, a masters in comparative philosophy from the University of Hawaii, and a doctorate in religious studies from Yale University. She served as a department head and dean of University of the West during her tenure at the college. Career Yifa has participated in many interfaith dialogues such as the Gethsemani Encounter and contributed to the UNICEF South Asia's Safe Motherhood Project. She is also the current director of the Woodenfish program for college students. In 2003, Yifa was awarded an Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award. In October 2006, she was honored at the 9th Annual Juliet Hollister Awards Ceremony, which was held at the United Nations Headquarters. Yifa was recognized along with Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was honored posthumously. Venerable Yifa has also been involved in translating sutras from Mandarin to English. Since 2006, Yifa and others have published translations of the Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Pūrvapraṇidhāna Sūtra and the Amitabha Sutra. Yifa is based in Beijing, China and travels often to meet with scholars and members of the global Buddhist community. List of books Authenticity: Clearing the Junk, A Buddhist Perspective The Tender Heart: A Buddhist Response to Suffering Discernment: Educating the Mind and Spirit Safeguarding the Heart: A Buddhist Response to Suffering and September 11 The Origins of Buddhist Monastic Codes in China: An Annotated Translation and Study of the Chanyuan Qinggui Yifa has also co-authored Benedict's Dharma: Buddhists Reflect On the Role of St. Benedict, along with Norman Fischer, Joseph Goldstein, Judith Simmer-Brown, David Steindl-Rast, and editor Patrick J. Henry. See also Fo Guang Shan Hsing Yun Woodenfish Foundation External links The Woodenfish Program official website Interview with Danny Fisher about her latest book, "Junk" References University of Hawaiʻi alumni Buddhist writers Buddhist studies scholars 1959 births Living people Fo Guang Shan Buddhists Taiwanese Buddhist nuns Zen Buddhist nuns National Taiwan University alumni Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni People from Hacienda Heights, California 20th-century Buddhist nuns 21st-century Buddhist nuns