Who We Are
IBS is a fully accredited graduate institution rooted in the Jōdo Shinshū (Japanese Pure Land) Buddhist tradition and supporting study in the full breadth of Buddhist thought, history, and practice. Through our partnership with the Graduate Theological Union, students study in a rich multi-religious environment with access to world-class research and library resources, including those of the University of California, Berkeley.
We are closely connected with the Buddhist Churches of America, one of the largest and oldest American Buddhist communities, and currently the only Buddhist organization officially recognized to endorse chaplains serving in the U.S. military and federal prisons. A degree from IBS carries real professional weight.
Our Programs
IBS offers two graduate degree programs and five graduate-level certificate programs, designed for students pursuing scholarly, ministerial, or professional paths.
Coursework completed at IBS is fully recognized for those seeking professional certification, including Buddhist chaplaincy endorsement through the Buddhist Churches of America.
Who Studies Here
IBS welcomes students from all walks of life:
- Students from any Buddhist tradition or background
- Students who do not identify as Buddhist but are drawn to the serious study of Buddhist history, teachings, and practices
- Those seeking academic credentials in Buddhist Studies
- Those preparing for professional roles in ministry, chaplaincy, or community leadership
Diverse Faculty, Multiple Perspectives
Our faculty come from a variety of Buddhist and non-Buddhist backgrounds and teach across a wide spectrum of traditions. This diversity is a genuine strength — students encounter Buddhism not as a monolith, but as a living, evolving, and global phenomenon.
Areas of Particular Strength
- Women and Buddhism
- Buddhist ritual practice and theory
- Close textual readings of Buddhist scriptures
- Buddhism in the United States and the West
- Ethnography and lived religion
- Ethics and compassionate leadership
- Jōdo Shinshū History and Doctrine
Paula Arai holds the position of Eshinni & Kakushinni Professor of Women and Buddhist Studies (a chair initiated by Buddhist women in honor of Buddhist women for the advancement of the study of Buddhist women) and Zen Certificate Program Advisor.
Courtney Bruntz specializes in contemporary rituals and practices of East Asian Buddhist traditions.
Lilu Chen is Associate Professor of Spiritual Care and Interreligious Engagement and Director of Field Education for the M.Div. program.
Nancy Lin’s research focuses on how literary and visual cultures have shaped Buddhist traditions of Tibet and the Himalaya. She current serves as the Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Professor of Buddhist Chaplaincy.
Scott Mitchell is President of IBS and his research focuses on Buddhism in the United States, Buddhist modernity, and the history of modern Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism.
Takashi Miyaji is Dean of IBS and his research focuses on the areas of Japanese Buddhism and religion, translation of Buddhist scripture, and Jōdo Shinshū doctrine and ethics.
Natalie Quli specializes in the social scientific study of contemporary Buddhism, with areas of expertise in Buddhist modernism, postcolonial theory, and contemporary Buddhist communities in North America, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Berkeley and Beyond
IBS is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, a thriving hub for diverse Buddhist communities — Zen, Tibetan, Theravāda, Pure Land, and more — all within easy reach. Our location in Berkeley, combined with our GTU partnership, places students at the intersection of one of the world’s great academic centers and one of its richest Buddhist landscapes.
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you’re drawn to Buddhist history, practice, ethics, or leadership, IBS offers a place to pursue that calling with depth and integrity. We invite you to explore our programs, meet our faculty, and find out what studying Buddhism at IBS could mean for you.