News

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 […]

The Institute of Buddhist Studies will hold its Annual Memorial Service via Zoom on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 7:00 pm (Pacific time). This will be an opportunity for us to remember all of the many people who have allowed […]

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 […]

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 […]

On October 6, 2023, IBS will host a Numata Symposium entitled, “Buddhist Practice: Perspectives on and From the Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Practice.” This day-long symposium will bring together 18 contributors to explore themes from the 2022 publication, co-edited by […]

AUGUST 5th, from 9am- 3pm IN PERSON / ONLINE SESSION Sponsored by CBE – Center for Buddhist Education, IBS – Institute of Buddhist Studies & JSIO – Jodo Shinshu International Office.  This session will be hosted in-person at the Jodo […]

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 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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Join Dr. Scott Mitchell and Chenxing Han for a thought provoking conversation on race, place and religious labor to celebrate the launch of Dr. Mitchell’s book The Making of American Buddhism. This event will take place on May 24 at […]

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, […]

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, […]

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 […]

The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announced the Taitetsu Unno Memorial lecture, to be delivered by Dr. Ruben Habito, and held on Friday March 31, from 4-6pm, both in person at the Jodo Shinshu Center and virtually. Dr. […]

Join us for the 2023 IBS Symposium held in conjunction with the Buddhist Churches of America’s National Council Meeting, on February 23rd at 11am PST. Four Jōdo Shinshū ministers will address the transformative meaning of this year’s National Council Meeting […]

The Institute of Buddhist Studies is excited to be hosting a virtual open house on Wednesday, February 8th from 4-5:30pm PST. Come learn about our degree and certificate programs, generous scholarship opportunities, and application process. Field director Lilu Chen will […]

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. […]

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 […]