Students from all Buddhist traditions are welcome in the IBS MDiv program. Those seeking ministerial ordination in a specific tradition should consult with their community to ensure course work meets ordination requirements.
Additionally, IBS has developed three specific tracks of study to support those who wish to pursue careers in Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist Ministry or Buddhist chaplaincy.
Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist Ministry Curriculum
Since 1949 one of the primary missions of IBS has been to provide a comprehensive program of education and training for persons aspiring to enter the Shin Buddhist ministry in the West with the support of the Buddhist Churches of America and the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha in Kyoto, Japan. The MDiv track for Shin Buddhist Ministry, includes courses and professional development opportunities for students preparing for ordination.
Required courses for the IBS MDiv in Shin Buddhist ministry are:
| Course Category | Required Course (if none listed, any course with approval) |
|---|---|
| Buddhist History | HRHS-1515 Buddhist Traditions of South Asia (3 units) HRHS-1518 Buddhist Traditions of East Asia (3) HRHS-3075 Shin Buddhist History: Premodern (3) |
| Teachings of Buddhism | HRPH-1614 Introduction to Shin Buddhist Thought (3) |
| Buddhist Texts & Literature | Works of Shinran I, II, III & IV (12) HR-3017 Three Pure Land Sutras (3) HRHS-3250 Seven Pure Land Masters (3) |
| Buddhist Ethics | HRCE-3020 Buddhist Ethics (3) |
| Comparative Religion | Comparative religion course, usually offered through GTU or member school (3) |
| Ethnic & Cultural Diversity | |
| Chaplaincy, religious or spiritual counseling | PSHR-3076 Buddhist Pastoral Care |
| Practice of religious or spiritual counseling | |
| Practice of communication | Special seminar on Homiletics FE-1810 Shin Buddhist Services and Ceremonies (3) |
| Religious or spiritual education | HRCE-3014 Issues in Buddhist Ministry (3) |
| Ethics of professional practice | |
| Leadership in organizations and institutions | Organizations and Institutions: Efficacious Buddhist Practices in Communities and Groups Special seminar on Hongwanji Rules & Regulations |
| Faith-based internships | MAP workshops offered by the Center for Buddhist Education (3 workshops) |
| Research-based final project or thesis | MA-1000 or HR-1630 Methods in the Study of Buddhism 6 units “in thesis” for Final Research-Based Project |
| 24 Total courses (72 units) 20 Required courses (60 units) 4 Elective courses (12 units) |
Buddhist Chaplaincy Curriculum
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to offer a Buddhist Chaplaincy Program for students wishing to pursue a chaplaincy career in hospice or health care, prison outreach, or the armed services. The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) has outlined a set of requirements for certification as a professional chaplain. The APC requires a total of 24 units in the first four categories below. The remaining 48 units can be taken in any of the remaining categories.
Additionally, students are required to take at minimum one course at another GTU member schools to broaden their experience and familiarity with diverse traditions.
*Are required for the IBS MDiv in Buddhist Chaplaincy.
Required 24 units from the following categories:
| Course Category | Courses (* are required for this track) |
|---|---|
| Buddhist History | * HRHS-1515 Buddhist Traditions of South Asia (3 units) * HRHS-1518 Buddhist Traditions of East Asia (3) * HR-2849 Buddhism in the West (3) |
| Teachings of Buddhism | * HRPH-1614 Introduction to Shin Buddhist Thought (3) * A course on Buddhist practice (e.g., Zen Meditation, Theravada Meditation, etc.) (3) |
| Buddhist Literature | * Two “Readings” or Buddhist literature courses (6) |
| Buddhist Ethics | * HRCE-3002 Buddhist Ethics (or other ethics course with approval) (3) |
| Comparative Religion | * Comparative religion course, usually offered through GTU or member school (3) |
| Cultural Diversity | |
| Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy to total 12 units | * PSHR-3076 Buddhist Pastoral Care * Aspects of Buddhist Psychology II * Plus 2 additional pastoral care classes such as: Advanced Seminar in Buddhist Pastoral Care Pastoral care taken at GTU member school Aspects of Buddhist Psychology I or III Sati Center for Buddhist Chaplaincy year-long program with academic credit |
| Communication in Chaplaincy and Ministry | |
| Religious Education and Foundations of Buddhist Ministry | * HRCE-3014 Issues in Buddhist Ministry |
| Ethics in Chaplaincy and Ministry | |
| Leadership in organizations and institutions | Organizations and Institutions: Efficacious Buddhist Practices in Communities and Groups |
| Education in Ministry and Chaplaincy | Structured, supervised chaplaincy site such as Clinical Pastoral Education, Sati Center, or Sojourn. |
| Research-based final project or thesis | MA-1000 or HR-1630 Methods in the Study of Buddhism 6 units “in thesis” for Final Research-Based Project |
Combined Ministry/Chaplaincy Curriculum
Students desiring to be well versed in both the Shin Buddhist ministerial and Buddhist chaplaincy tracks are required to follow the below curriculum:
| Course Category | Required Course (if none listed, any course with approval) |
|---|---|
| Buddhist History | HRHS-1515 Buddhist Traditions of South Asia (3 units) HRHS-1518 Buddhist Traditions of East Asia (3) HRHS-3075 Shin Buddhist History: Premodern (3) |
| Teachings of Buddhism | HRPH-1614 Introduction to Shin Buddhist Thought (3) Two courses from the Works of Shinran sequence (6) |
| Buddhist Texts & Literature | HR-3017 Three Pure Land Sutras (3) HRHS-3250 Seven Pure Land Masters (3) |
| Buddhist Ethics | HRCE-3020 Buddhist Ethics (3) |
| Comparative Religion | Comparative religion course, usually offered through GTU or member school (3) |
| Ethnic & Cultural Diversity | |
| Chaplaincy, religious or spiritual counseling | PSHR-3076 Buddhist Pastoral Care (3) PSHR-5160 Advanced Pastoral Care Seminar (3) |
| Practice of religious or spiritual counseling | |
| Practice of communication | |
| Religious or spiritual education | HRCE-3014 Issues in Buddhist Ministry (3) |
| Ethics of professional practice | |
| Leadership in organizations and institutions | Organizations and Institutions: Efficacious Buddhist Practices in Communities and Groups Special seminar on Hongwanji Rules & Regulations |
| Faith-based internships | MAP workshops offered by the Center for Buddhist Education (3 workshops) And/or structured, supervised chaplaincy site such as Clinical Pastoral Education, Sati Center, or Sojourn. |
| Research-based final project or thesis | MA-1000 or HR-1630 Methods in the Study of Buddhism 6 units “in thesis” for Final Research-Based Project |
| 24 Total courses (72 units) 17 Required courses (51 units) 7 Elective courses (21 units) |
In addition, special seminars on (1) Homiletics, (2) Shin Buddhist Liturgy, and (3) Hongwanji Rules & Regulations will be offered.