Benito F. Reyes
Encyclopedia
Benito F. Reyes is a well-known Filipino
academic and administrator
. He was appointed as the first university
president
of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 1967. When he moved to the United States
in 1970s, Reyes founded the World University at Ojai, California
.
As a teenager, Benito Reyes, was selected by the Theosophical Society
as an important world leader similar to how they "discovered" and groomed Jiddhu Krishnamurti. Shortly after, Reyes was spiritually adopted by a childless Theosophist couple from Ojai, California, who financed his higher education studies in philosophy and psychology.
Continuing on what he learned from his mother, Benito dedicated his career to the understanding of cross-cultural studies of spiritual beliefs and practices related to conscious dying.
Before his inauguration as the PLM President, Reyes was a professor at the Far Eastern University
for 21 years. In 1951-1952, he taught at Boston University
as a Fulbright-Smith-Mundt professor, and in 1965, he was a Fulbright-Hays philosophy professor at the State University of New York
. His scholar in residence Fulbright appointment was granted after he published his break-through book, The Scientific Evidence of the Existence of Soul, a finalist in a literary contest funded by James Kidd
, a wealthy prospector who was willing to bequeath his entire estate to anyone who could prove there was a visual spirit; a spirit which we could see.
Reyes also lectured in Harvard, Brown
, and other universities in America and around the world.
He published a number of works on philosophy
, psychology
, and the quest for meaning and purpose of life in his poetry of 1000 Sonnets for God. He was a member of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) that co-sponsored the World Peace University of Costa Rica. He was also with the Institute de la Vie of France, International Institute of Environment in England and in the Institute of Religious Psychology of Japan.
As a teenager, Benito married his childhood sweetheart Dominga Lopez, who was of Spanish descent. Together they had seven children Siddharta, Nourhalma, Thor, Alcor, Amita, Adita, and Noemi.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
academic and administrator
Academic administration
An academic administration is a branch of university or college employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the faculty or academics, although some personnel may have joint responsibilities...
. He was appointed as the first university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 1967. When he moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1970s, Reyes founded the World University at Ojai, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Early life and career
Benito Reyes was born into abject poverty in Manilla, Philippines on March 21, 1914. He was born in the Chinese Year of the Tiger. His father, a band leader, abandoned the family when Benito was very young. His mother, Antera Fernadez was a well-known Po'O folk art healer (commonly known as a "death coach") who helped individuals transition through the death process. Antera died when Benito was in his early 20's.As a teenager, Benito Reyes, was selected by the Theosophical Society
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
as an important world leader similar to how they "discovered" and groomed Jiddhu Krishnamurti. Shortly after, Reyes was spiritually adopted by a childless Theosophist couple from Ojai, California, who financed his higher education studies in philosophy and psychology.
Continuing on what he learned from his mother, Benito dedicated his career to the understanding of cross-cultural studies of spiritual beliefs and practices related to conscious dying.
Before his inauguration as the PLM President, Reyes was a professor at the Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...
for 21 years. In 1951-1952, he taught at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
as a Fulbright-Smith-Mundt professor, and in 1965, he was a Fulbright-Hays philosophy professor at the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
. His scholar in residence Fulbright appointment was granted after he published his break-through book, The Scientific Evidence of the Existence of Soul, a finalist in a literary contest funded by James Kidd
James Kidd
James Kidd was Unionist Party politician in Scotland. He sat in the House of Commons from 1918 to 1922, and from 1924 until his death....
, a wealthy prospector who was willing to bequeath his entire estate to anyone who could prove there was a visual spirit; a spirit which we could see.
Reyes also lectured in Harvard, Brown
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, and other universities in America and around the world.
He published a number of works on philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, and the quest for meaning and purpose of life in his poetry of 1000 Sonnets for God. He was a member of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) that co-sponsored the World Peace University of Costa Rica. He was also with the Institute de la Vie of France, International Institute of Environment in England and in the Institute of Religious Psychology of Japan.
As a teenager, Benito married his childhood sweetheart Dominga Lopez, who was of Spanish descent. Together they had seven children Siddharta, Nourhalma, Thor, Alcor, Amita, Adita, and Noemi.