Buddhist Chaplaincy at the Institute of Buddhist Studies

IBS Symposium at the 2026 Northwest District Buddhist Convention
and Buddhist Churches of America National Council Meeting
Seattle, Washington

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
Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Professor of Buddhist Chaplaincy, Tibetan and South Asian Studies

Lilu Chen, Institute of Buddhist Studies
Associate Professor of Spiritual Care and Interreligious Engagement, Director of Field Education

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