News
Meet Ryūki Tom Hawkins!
Ryūki Tom Hawkins is a Sōtō Zen priest and candidate for the Master of Divinity at IBS. Here he shares a little bit about his passions and interests. Q: Tell me about yourself. How did your life make its way […]
New Stackable Curriculum Offers Flexibility and Personalization
The Institute of Buddhist Studies strives to create an academic environment that is rigorous, thorough, and engaged, and that meets the personal and professional needs of a diverse student body. To this end, we are excited to announce the introduction […]
IBS Alum Chenxing Han Debuts First Book, “Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian-American Buddhists”
On Thursday, January 28th, IBS Alum Chenxing Han was joined by Dean Scott Mitchell and Rev. Harry Bridges to celebrate the launch of her debut book Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian-American Buddhists. 175 participants also joined the […]
Certificate in Soto Zen Buddhist Studies Now Offered Online
For the last five years, the Institute of Buddhist Studies has offered the Certificate in Sōtō Zen Buddhist Studies, a six course survey of Sōtō Zen history and texts. Starting this Spring 2021, the certificate program has been officially approved […]
Rev. Daijaku Kinst in Credits for Pixar’s “Soul”
Soul, released this month by Pixar, is a movie about the afterlife and what gives human beings purpose. The film’s protagonist, Mr. G., is a jazz musician who teaches high school music. After meeting an untimely death, he finds himself […]
Professor Miyaji Interviewed on NPR
On December 5, our very own Rev. Takashi Miyaji was interviewed on NPR by Scott Simon. Miyaji talked about Bodhi Day, how Buddhism relieves suffering, and gave a demonstration of chanting. Check it out here: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/05/943453999/buddhists-prepare-to-observe-bodhi-day-when-siddhartha-gautama-became-buddha
Pacific World Establishes Blind Peer Review Process, Moves Online
Pacific World is an anonymous peer-reviewed journal that publishes English-language scholarship in Buddhist studies across all Buddhist traditions past and present, particularly Jōdo Shinshū, using a variety of academic methodologies (such as historical, textual, critical, and ethnographic approaches). Pacific World […]
IBS Holds Memorial Service on Zoom
The Institute of Buddhist Studies conducted its 8th Annual Memorial Service on November 12, 2020. The service was held via Zoom with ministerial members of the IBS Board of Trustees conducting the service via from the Kodo at the Jodo […]
Meet Rev. CJ Dunford
CJ Dunford is a recent IBS alum and Jodo Shinshu minister. Back from a year in Japan, they share how they arrived at Buddhism, and their passion for practical Buddhist theology centering liberation for queer folk. Gesshin: Where are you […]
What’s in a Cave? Insights from the Numata Lecture Series
M.Div. and Chaplaincy Program candidate Rev Akiko Rogers reflects on this year’s Numata Lecture series. On Friday, October 23, 2020, Dr. Michelle C. Wang, delivered the second Fall 2020 Numata Lecture on “Sculpture, Time, and Materiality in a Buddhist Cave.” […]
Meet Alum Nathan Michon
The Institute of Buddhist Studies has so many amazing alumni entering the fields of chaplaincy, ministry, academia, and more. We’re excited to share this update on Nathan Michon, class of 2020. Q: What brought you to IBS, and what did […]
Meet Professor Takashi Miyaji
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is happy to announce that Rev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji has joined our core faculty this year. Rev. Miyaji teaches on Shin Buddhist doctrine, ethics, and history. Below, I ask him some quick questions about his […]
IBS Welcomes Students Back!
On August 26, IBS faculty and staff were excited to welcome new and returning students during our fall orientation. Due to the new reality of the COVID pandemic, the orientation took place on zoom, but the event strove to foster […]
Statement on COVID-19 and IBS operations through 2020
Whereas several Bay Area counties and the State of California are slowly reopening or ending shelter in place orders, and whereas several colleges and universities across the state and nation are planning on “business as usual” in the fall, we […]
Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter and in Opposition to Racism
Today voices throughout the world are proclaiming that “Black Lives Matter” and calling for an end to the systemic discrimination against black persons by police, governments and individuals. At this time we offer our support to the following statement by the Buddhist […]
Institute of Buddhist Studies Celebrates Its 2020 Graduates
Nalanda was an ancient Buddhist university in India that served as the site of invaluable learning and translation for hundreds of years. It is said that the earliest scholars passed through Nalanda, bringing sutras to China and aiding in the […]
Institute of Buddhist Studies Gains Initial Accreditation
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce that it has been granted Initial Accreditation by the WASC Senior Commission of Universities and Colleges (WSCUC) for a period of six years. In the Commission Action Letter, the Commission commended […]
IBS Announces New Admissions Guidelines
The Institute of Buddhist Studies’ Admissions Committee has revised its application policies for all degree and certificate programs. Among the most significant changes are: reduced application fees: $40 for M.Div. and M.B.S. degree program applications; $15 for all certificate program […]
The Increasing Relevance of Eco Chaplaincy
In the last few weeks, over six million people around the globe have protested climate disaster. On Friday, September 20, 2019 over two million people walked out of their schools or workplaces. On that day, my professor and schoolmates helped […]
Tokudo in Japan
Current student Akiko Rogers shares with us this piece on ordaining at Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan. You can read more about her family and journey to become a minister here. In July, twenty international Jodo Shinshu ministerial aspirants undertook tokudo […]
