The Institute of Buddhist Studies has partnered with a number of affiliate organizations to support and enhance our programs.
Buddhist Churches of America (BCA)
The Institute of Buddhist Studies was originally established by the Buddhist Churches of American to train Jōdo Shinshū ministers for service in the United States. Since our founding more than half a century ago, we have broadened our offerings while remaining committed to this core mission. We continue to work with the BCA and its affiliate organization, the Center for Buddhist Education, to provide education and training in the entirety of the Buddhist tradition.
Graduate Theological Union (GTU)
In 1985, under the guidance of then-BCA Bishop Rev. Seigen Yamaoka, the IBS became an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union. Today, we are a full member school school of the GTU consortium, a partnership that provides the opportunity to connect with a diverse community of religious scholars, and provide our students with access to the rich library holdings of both the GTU and the University of California, Berkeley.
Ryukoku University, Kyoto, Japan
For over three centuries, Ryukoku University has been a center of Buddhist education, affiliated with the Nishi Hongwanji branch of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism in Japan. We are honored to be partners with Ryukoku, a partnership that affords our students an opportunity to study abroad and deepen their understanding of Japanese Buddhism.