Buddhist Chaplaincy at the Institute of Buddhist Studies

IBS Symposium at the Buddhist Churches of America’s 2026 National Council Meeting

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Buddhist Chaplaincy, a field that is still in many ways defined and discussed within a predominantly Judeo-Christian paradigm. Nancy Lin and Lilu Chen are two faculty members of the IBS, who have been making great contributions to this area, adding their insights to a nascent field that is continuing to develop. IBS is proud to be a part of that conversation. In this symposium, we would like to introduce this field and the IBS faculty members to the leadership of the BCA.

Speakers
Nancy Lin, Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS), Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Professor of Buddhist Chaplaincy, Tibetan and South Asian Studies
Lilu Chen, Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS), Associate Professor of Spiritual Care and Interreligious Engagement, Director of Field Education

Moderator
Rev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji, Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS), Dean and H.E. Kosho Ohtani Professor of Shin Buddhist Studies