2009 IASBS Conference Highlights

M. Editor  |  June 22, 2009

Some 100 scholars, priests, and students attended the 14th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies held on June 12-14 at the Ryukoku University Omiya Campus in Kyoto, Japan. With the theme “Shin Buddhism in the World of the Twenty-First Century: Challenges and Potential,” some 52 scholars, priests, and students from Japan, the United States, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hawaii, South America, and Europe presented papers on a wide variety of topics committed to Shin Buddhist Studies.

Some interesting papers included “Pure Land Teaching of Yongming Yanshu: Implications for Shin Buddhist Practice in the Twenty-First Century,” by Professor Albert Welter of the University of Winnipeg; “The Importance of Developing Religious Education and Pastoral Care Service,” by Mari Sengoku, graduate student at Tottori University; “The Influence of Women on Buddhist Secularization in the Song Period: Focuson Women in Southeast China,” by Jingjing Zhu a graduate student at the University of the West; and “Recent Changes in Society and Shin Buddhism,” by Gerhard Schepers, Professor Emeritus at the International Christian University.

BCA and IBS papers were given by Rev. Dr. Hoshu Matsubayashi, Rinban of the Seattle Betsuin, on “Contemporary Understanding of the Utmost Happy Pure Land”; Mitsumi Wondera, IBS Student, on “Takagi Kenmyo’s Influence to Contemporary Shin Buddhist Thought”; and Dr. Scott Mitchel, IBS Adjunct Professor, on “Buddhism , Pop-Culture, and Homogenization of the Dharma.”

IBS graduates presenting papers were Rev. Angela Andrade, Honpa Honganji South America on “Aspects of the Shin Buddhist Faith Literary Works”; Rev. Naoyuki Ogi , Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, on “TakagI Kenmyo: a 20th Century Example of a Way of Life on ‘Revitalizing Buddhism'”; Rev. Mary David, Moilili Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Buddha’s Teaching”; and Rev. Tsui Chung-hui, graduate student at Hong Kong University on “Calligraphy of the Dunhuang Monestary: Based on the Northern Liang (AD 397-460) Period.”

Dr. Richard Payne, IBS Dean and Dr. Seigen Yamaoka attended the conference representing IBS.