News
Paula Arai to Teach Topics in Buddhist Women: Zen
We are excited to announce that Dr. Paula Arai will be offering a class on women in Zen next fall on Tuesdays from 2:10pm-5pm, beginning the first week of September and running through December 15, 2024. The full title is […]
Rev. Dr. Seigen Yamaoka Passes Away At 89
Rev. Dr. Seigen Yamaoka, revered Dharma teacher, mentor, and friend of everyone at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, passed away on December 15, 2023 at the age of 89. Rev. Yamaoka played a significant role in the development of Shin […]
Numata Symposium Celebrates “Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Practice”
On October 6, 2023, Buddhist scholars and students from around the country gathered at the Institute of Buddhist studies to celebrate the “Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Practice,” edited by Paula Arai and Kevin Trainor. Each panelist presented a paper on […]
Dr. Scott Mitchell Named Next IBS President
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott Mitchell has been appointed the next president of IBS effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Mitchell will take over the mantle from Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto, who plans on […]
Dr. Natalie Quli Joins Core Faculty
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce that Dr. Natalie Quli has been appointed to Core Faculty as an Associate Professor of Theravāda Studies. Before this, she served as a Research Fellow for many years. Dr. Quli received […]
Dr. Scott Mitchell Launches Book “The Making of American Buddhism”
On May 24, 2023, Dr. Scott Mitchell, Chenxing Han, and Rev. Harry Bridge met online to discuss the release of his newest book, The Making of American Buddhism in a book launch entitled “Race, Place, and Religious Labor.” Below is a […]
Dr. Richard Payne Retiring From IBS
Dr. Richard K. Payne, who served as Dean at the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) from 1994-2016 and who has been an integral part of institutional and curriculum development and teaching staff at IBS, is set to retire at the […]
IBS Celebrates 2023 Commencement
On Friday, May 2023, faculty, students, trustees, and friends of the Institute of Buddhist Studies gathered to celebrate the graduating class of 2023. This event was also a chance to honor Dr. Richard Payne, who is retiring this year, and […]
IBS Hiring New President; David Matsumoto Set to Retire Next Summer
IBS is beginning the search for a new President, as Rev. Dr. David Matsumoto will be retiring in June 2024. The following is the full job description for the role of President. For full consideration, candidate documents should be forwarded […]
2023 Ryukoku Lecture: Women Propagating Jodo Shinshu Teaching in Modern Japan
Our 2023 Ryukoku Lecture is now available for viewing (in Japanese), featuring Profressor Nakanishi Naoki. His talk is on women’s propagation of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in modern Japan. A translation of the lecture is available below. 近代⽇本の真宗⼥性教化の展開 Development of […]
Nembutsu: Appreciate Every Encounter
On February 23, 2023, four Jodo Shin ministers gathered to share their insights about the impact of Nembutsu on their lives. Below is the video from the 2023 IBS Symposium Nembutsu: Appreciate Every Encounter. Speakers include: Rev. Harry Gyōkyō Bridge, […]
Dr. Lilu Chen Joins IBS as Field Education Director
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce that Dr. Lilu Chen has joined our academic staff and will be serving as our new Field Education Director. In this position, Dr. Chen will develop relationships with field education sites, […]
Scott Mitchell named Chair of the Pure Land Buddhist Studies Editorial Board
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott Mitchell, Tamai Chair of Shin Buddhist Studies and Dean of Faculty and Students, will be replacing Dr. Richard K. Payne as the Chair of the Pure Land Buddhist […]
Dr. Nancy Lin Appointed to IBS Hanyu Chair
The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Nancy Lin to the Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Buddhist Chaplaincy Professorial Chair, beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The IBS-endowed chair was created by the legacy gift of Mr. […]
Students and Faculty Participate in Zenshuji’s 100th Anniversary Jukai
Rev. Bansho Green, Naomi Knoble, both students in our Certificate in Soto Zen Studies program, and faculty member Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst, participated in a Jukai-e ceremony at Zenshuji temple in Los Angeles from November 16-20. Naomi was one of […]
IBS Celebrates Daijaku Kinst’s Career
On Friday, December 9th, students, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst’s teaching career at IBS. The event began with speeches and toasts by President Matsumoto and Dean Scott Mitchell, as well as IBS faculty Dr. Nancy […]
IBS Offering “Works of Shinran I” Class
The Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) is pleased to announce that there are two spots available for auditors (i.e, non-degree students) in the course “Works of Shinran I,” beginning Feb. 2 and running through May 11. The class will be […]
Hanyu Buddhist Chaplaincy Chair Carries on Legacy of Dana
The Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Buddhist Chaplaincy Professorial Chair is the IBS-endowed chair created by the legacy gift of Mr. Noboru Hanyu, in memory of his wife, Yaeko. This title has been held by Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst since 2015. […]
Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst to Step Down as IBS Faculty
Rev. Dr. Daijaku Kinst, who has served as the Noboru and Yaeko Hanyu Professor of Buddhist Chaplaincy and as IBS full-time faculty member since 2007, will step back from her role as professor in December. She has guided hundreds of students […]
2022 Numata Lecture
Last Friday, Dr. Paula Arai joined Dr. Nancy Lin, Vanessa Sasson and Mutsumi Wondra for a compelling talk on gratitude, healing rituals, and the role of women in Buddhism throughout history. The talk was followed by a rousing discussion […]