Everything tagged with faculty notes
Friday, April 12, 2013, 9:31 am
Wisdom Publications has released a new book by noted Shin Buddhist scholar Takamaro Shigaraki, Heart of the Shin Buddhist Path: A Life of Awakening.
Last last month, Prof. Shigaraki was in the San Francisco Bay Area, delivering a series of lectures and talks at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, the Center for Buddhist Education, and the Buddhist Churches of America. Some of these events will be featured in forthcoming episode of the Institute’s Podcast, available here.
Prof. Shigaraki is one of the leading Shin Buddhist thinkers in the world today. His innovative approach to traditional Shin Buddhist ideas via comparative religious scholarship and rational analysis has made him a cause celebre in the Shin Buddhist world. He has served as President of Ryukoku University, one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious universities, where he received his PhD in Literary Studies and is a Professor Emeritus of Shin Buddhist studies. Dr. Shigaraki has also served as Chairman of the Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, the largest Shin Buddhist organization in the world.
Heart of the Shin Buddhist Path was translated by David Matsumoto, professor of contemporary Shin Buddhist studies at the Institute of Buddhist Studies.
To purchase the book, please visit Wisdom Publications.
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Monday, August 13, 2012, 9:54 am
The categorization of Buddhism along geo-political lines is perhaps the most common organizing principle today. It also tends to be accepted uncritically. Thus we find, without explanation, such expressions as “Indian Buddhism,” “Tibetan Buddhism,” “Chinese Buddhism,” “Burmese Buddhism,” and so on. These categories predominate not only in popular representations of Buddhism, such as the Buddhist magazines, but also in textbooks of both “world’s religions” and of Buddhism, in academic societies, and publishing, and perhaps the most durable entrenchment, in academic appointments (full disclosure, my own title is that of Professor of “Japanese Buddhism”). The general absence of discussion regarding contemporary geo-political divisions as the organizing principle for the field of Buddhist studies, much less its justification, suggests implicitly that dividing the field along these lines is unproblematic — that it is a simple reflection of things just as they are. Naturalized in this way, the categories become hegemonic, molding both decisions regarding research and the ways in which research is presented. The category system and its consequences need to be consciously evaluated, either so that they may be used with more nuance, or replaced with less problematic and (one hopes) more intellectually productive ones.
Read the rest of this post at the OUPBlog here.
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 11:24 am
Filed under: News & Announcements | Tagged as: faculty notes, Gil Fronsdal
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Thursday, January 26, 2012, 9:39 am
Routledge has published a new volume, edited by David L. McMahan, titled Buddhism in the Modern World.
McMahan is well-known for his foundational work in The Making of Buddhist Modernism (Oxford University Press, 2008) in which he describes how both Asian and Western interpreters have shaped Buddhist discourse over the last two centuries.
In Buddhism in the Modern World, McMahan brings together sixteen scholars to discuss various aspects of modern Buddhism in contemporary Asia and the West. Scholars from Martin Baumann and Paul David Numrich to Damien Keown and Cristina Rocha explore how Buddhism is practiced from Southeast Asia to Europe, how it influences ethics and social engagement, culture and politics.
From the publisher’s website:
Buddhism in the Modern World explores the challenges faced by Buddhism today, the distinctive forms that it has taken and the individuals and movements that have shaped it. Each chapter is written by a distinguished scholar in the field and includes photographs, summaries, discussion points and suggestions for further reading. The book provides a lively and up-to-date overview that is indispensable for both students and scholars of Buddhism.
Two IBS faculty members have also contributed to this volume. Dean Richard K. Payne contributes a chapter on Buddhism and psychology. In “Buddhism and the Powers of the Mind,” Dean Payne discusses the ways in which modern Buddhism and modern Western psychology arose within a similar cultural-historical milieu thus leading to the perceived similarities between the two traditions. Prof. Scott A. Mitchell contributes a chapter devoted to pop-cultural representations of Buddhism, discussing the ways in which Buddhism is expressed within and is co-opted by mass media.
Buddhism in the Modern World is available in paperback directly from the Routledge website.
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Monday, May 16, 2011, 9:00 am
Some 30 people, with various interest in Buddhist chaplaincy attended the first “Buddhist Chaplaincy Conference: An Overview of Spiritual Care Giving,†co-sponsored by the Institute of Buddhist Studies and the Sati Center Program for Buddhist Chaplaincy at the Jodo Shinshu Center , Saturday, May 7, 2011.
Rev. Jennifer Block, a teacher at the Sati Center, and Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst, IBS Pastoral Care professor, presented a wide range of material on Buddhist Chaplaincy including a definition of chaplaincy and spiritual care, the day to day duties of a chaplain in various settings, and what distinguishes Buddhist chaplains.
They also described the path to becoming certified chaplains including the graduate academic program at IBS, the training program at the Sati Center, and the role of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Rev. Rod Seeger, the retired Director of Spiritual Care Services at University of California San Francisco medical center gave a presentation on the work of the chaplain, particularly in hospital setting based on his years of service as chaplain and chaplain supervisor.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 12:16 pm
Noboru Hanyu, on January 26, 2011, established a $500,000.00 endowed professorial chair at the Institute of Buddhist Studies to honor his late wife Yaeko, who passed away on November 1, 2002. He attributes his life long association with the Buddhist Churches of America to the support of his loving wife.
“This chair is my way of expressing my appreciation to Yae for her support and will keep alive her spirit of dana for the Buddhist movement in America,” Hanyu said.
The IBS is a graduate seminary of Buddhist ministry, and Buddhist studies. The chair will be named the Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Buddhist Chaplaincy Professorial Chair and will be gifted through Mr. Hanyu’s Living Trust. The IBS Endowment is part of the BCA 21st Century Campaign; therefore, the BCA Endowment Foundation will administer the assets of the fund. The IBS Dean’s office in consultation with the faculty and Board of Trustees will determine the use of the funds.
Hanyu, a long time member of the Buddhist Church of San Francisco, while being active at the temple has been taking many leadership roles in the Buddhist Churches of America. In 2009, he was awarded BCA Lifetime Service Award for his dedication to BCA for over 60 years.
His various positions with the BCA include President of the BCSF, President of the, BCA, Chair of the Sustaining Membership Program, Chair of the BCA Minister’s Pension Program, BCA Headquarters Administrative Officer, Treasurer of the Campaign for Buddhism in America, and Treasurer of the BCA Endowment Foundation from 1965 to 2008.
“On behalf of the IBS, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Hanyu for his generous gift. Buddhist chaplaincy is a new development, one that allows the propagation of the Buddhist teaching in hospitals, and hospices, jails and prisons, in military and university settings. Chaplains are trained to serve anyone and everyone in need, no matter what the person’s religious affiliation. The purpose is to serve that individual, to make real the spirit of compassion that is the heart of the Buddha’s message.
“This is an important area of future growth for Buddhists in the United States today, and the support of the Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Endowment will make it possible for IBS to train a new generation of Buddhist leaders, manifesting compassion in the most difficult of life situations, those of disease and death, punishment and servitude, loneliness and isolation,” stated Dr. Richard Payne, IBS Dean.
Photo credit: Seated Mr. Noboru Hanyu. Standing L to R: Dr. Richard Payne, Phung Kim Le, and Rev. Kengu Kobata. (Insert photo: Mr. and Mrs. Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu.)
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Monday, June 21, 2010, 12:42 pm
Mr. George T. Arataini, a long time supporter of the Institute of Buddhist Studies was conferred an Honorary Doctorate at his home in Hollywood, CA on Thursday, June 17, 2010 by Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, the IBS George and Sakaye Aratani Professor. Dr. Aratani was not able to attend the IBS Commencement Ceremony held on May 14, 2010 in Berkeley, CA.
In making the presentation Dr. Matsumoto expressed the heartfelt appreciation of the IBS Board of Trustees for his generous support and encouragement for the success of the IBS in its future growth and development.
In accepting the doctorate, Dr. Aratani stated, “I have tried to the best of my ability to continue the tradition imparted to me by my father. Therefore, I have supported the IBS for its commitment to the Buddha Dharma in America. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the IBS for this special honor.â€
Present at the home ceremony were Mrs. Aratani, Rev. Hiroshi Abiko, Rinban of the Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Betsuin, and Rev. Dr. Seigen Yamaoka.
[Photo Credit: Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, Mrs. Sakaye Aratani, and Dr. George T. Aratani.]
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7:53 am
The Rev. Dr. Daijaku Judith Kinst, Professor of Buddhism and Psychology, has recently been appointed as a core faculty member of the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS). The announcement was recently made by Dr. Richard Payne, Dean.
Dr. Kinst, is an ordained Buddhist Priest in the Soto Zen tradition. She earned her BA at Occidental College in Los Angeles and upon completing her formal priest training she studied Western Psychology, earning an MA degree and license in psychotherapy. During her studies she trained at UCSF Medical Center’s Clinical Pastoral Education program. She completed her Ph.D. at the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco.
She teaches graduate course in Buddhist Studies, Contemplative Psychology, and Spiritual Direction and has an ongoing commitment to interfaith dialogue.
With the MA/MDiv chaplaincy program, IBS offers the opportunity for Buddhists of any tradition to get a graduate education in chaplaincy at a Buddhist institution with a long and rich history. It is a gift to people of the wider Buddhist world to be able to do this, to benefit from this, and form sustained contact with the Shin Buddhist tradition.
There are many people who want to serve, who want to express their dedication to Buddha’s teachings through caring for others. What is needed is an effective training in how to serve. IBS is uniquely able to fulfill this need.
Dr. Kinst is building relationships with Graduate Theological Union faculty and chaplains, supervising chaplains at various hospitals in the area, and other institutions who are need of chaplains.
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Monday, April 05, 2010, 9:47 am
Institute of Buddhist Studies Dean and Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies Richard K. Payne will be delivering the 2010 Spring English Seminar at the Seattle, Washington, Betsuin Buddhist Temple.
Dr. Payne’s talk is titled Confidence and Clarity: Realizing Shinjin. Pure Land Buddhist thought is wide-reaching and has a long history going back through Japan to China, Central Asia, and India. This workshop will focus on two particular moments in this history.
The Spring English Seminar will be held at the Seattle Temple on Saturday April 10, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on this event, please contact the Seattle Betsuin directly or download this attached informational flyer.
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Wednesday, March 03, 2010, 12:24 pm
How Much is Enough? Buddhism, Consumerism, and the Human Environment, recently published by Wisdom Publications, Boston, is a compilation of papers presented at the international symposium on “Buddhism and the Environment,†held at the Alumni House, University of California, Berkeley, on September 14, 2003. The symposium was organized by Professor Mitsuya Dake and Professor David Matsumoto, members of the faculty of Ryukoku University, Kyoto, and the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley, respectively.
Dr. Richard K. Payne, Dean and Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley, California and a member of the doctoral faculty of the Graduate Theological Union is the editor of the publication.
“The emphasis that the symposium placed on the human environment highlights the interdependence of our human social reality with the encompassing and supporting natural world. Seeing the interdependence of the social and natural, we can experience more directly the karmic relations between our actions and the human environment around us, both social and natural, said Payne.
He also stated that the symposium brought to the forefront the concerns and efforts made by Buddhism and Shin Buddhism. “Shin Buddhism has an important contribution to make to the environmental crisis, and to other pressing concerns of our times,“ he concluded.
Papers and authors published in the book are: “Buddhist Environmentalism and Contemporary Japan,†Duncan Ryuken Williams, Director for the Center of Japanese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley; “ How Much is Enough?: Buddhist Perspective on Consumerism,†Stephanie Kaza, professor of environmental studies at University of Vermont; “Pure Land Buddhism and Its Perspective on the Environment,†Mitsuya Dake, Director of the Buddhism and the Environment Research Unit of the Center for Humanities, Science, and Religion at Ryukoku University, Kyoto; “Gary Snyder’s Ecosocial Buddhism,†David Barnhill, Director of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh; “Buddhist Economics to Save the Earth,†Shinichi Inoue, former President of the Japanese Miyazaki Bank; “The Noble Eightfold Path as a Prescription for Sustainable Living,â€Tetsunori Koizumi, Professor Emeritus, Ryukoku University; “The Debate on Taking Life and Eating Meat in the Edo-Period Jodo Shin Tradition,†Ikuo Nakamura, member of the faculty at Gakushuin University, Tokyo; “ Buddhist Environmentalism,†Malcolm David Eckel, Boston University; and “The Early Buddhist Tradition and Ecological Ethics,†Lambert Schmithausen, Emeritus , University of Hamburg.
The book is available at Wisdom Press or the BCA Buddhist Bookstore, Berkeley.
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