ISHB EVENTS

Info on lectures, conferences, and other happenings at ISHB.

CONVERSATION - Dr. Jane Iwamura: Revisiting Virtual Orientalism
Dec 06, 6:00 PM PST
Zoom
The Institute for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism ISHB at University of the West is celebrating the tenth anniversary of Dr. Jane Naomi Iwamura’s groundbreaking study on Western media depictions Asian religions.
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LECTURE - Dr. Lewis Lancaster, Self: Active & Passive Agent
Dec 14, 7:00 PM PST
Zoom
This is the final lecture in Dr. Lewis Lancaster's "Encountering Life" lecture series, titled "Self: Active & Passive Agent."
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LECTURE - Dr. Rongdao Lai: Tracing the Tiantai Lineage in Southeast Asia
Nov 30, 6:00 PM PST
Zoom
In this talk, Dr. Rongdao Lai offers a survey of Tiantai lineage transmission practice, and examines how these trends shed light on the shifting centers of authority, influence, and legitimacy in modern Chinese Buddhism.
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LECTURE - Dr. Lewis Lancaster, Compassion: A Natural State of Cognition
Nov 23, 7:00 PM PST
Zoom
The next installment in Dr. Lewis Lancaster's "Encountering Life" lecture series is titled "Compassion: A Natural State of Cognition."
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LECTURE - Dr. Lewis Lancaster, Reincarnation: Body & Spirit
Oct 26, 7:00 PM PDT
Zoom
The next installment in Dr. Lewis Lancaster's "Encountering Life" lecture series is titled "Reincarnation: Body & Spirit." See Recording Link in the description below.
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BOOK TALK - Dr. Jack Meng-Tat Chia: Monks in Motion
Oct 19, 6:30 PM PDT
Zoom
Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia from National University of Singapore presents a talk on his recent book, Monks in Motion: Buddhism and Modernity across the South China Sea. See Recording Link in the description below.
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LECTURE - Dr. Lewis Lancaster, Desire: Measure of Motivations
Sep 28, 7:00 PM PDT
Zoom
This is the second of Dr. Lewis Lancaster's "Encountering Life" lecture series, titled "Desire: Measure of Motivations." See Recording Link in the description below.
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BOOK TALK - Dr. Jens Reinke: Mapping Modern Mahayana
Sep 09, 6:00 PM PDT
Zoom
The University of the West welcomes Dr. Jens Reinke as the new Director of the ISHB. At this inaugural lecture, Dr. Reinke will present on his recent book, Mapping Modern Mahayana: Chinese Buddhism and Migration in the Age of Global Modernity. See Recording Link in the description below.
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LECTURE - Dr. Jiang Wu: Pei Xiu & the Fellowship of Dao-learners in Medieval Chan History
Sep 02, 2:00 PM PDT
Zoom
In this lecture, Dr. Jiang Wu will examine the culture of Dao-learners in the mid- and late Tang society by focusing on Pei Xiu 裴休 (791-864), a literati follower of Buddhist teachers, the two most eminent among whom were Chan figures Zongmi 宗密 (780-841) and Huangbo Xiyun 黃檗希運 (?-850).
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LECTURE - Dr. Lewis Lancaster, Cause: One of Life's Mysteries
Aug 31, 7:00 PM PDT
Zoom
This is the first of Dr. Lewis Lancaster's "Encountering Life" lecture series, titled "Cause: One of Life's Mysteries." See Recording Link in the description below.
Details

Dr. Lewis Lancaster - Behavior: Acts of Consequence
Jun 15, 7:00 PM PDT
Zoom
Dr. Lewis Lancaster's final lecture in the "Buddhism as a Lived Experience" series is "Behavior: Acts of Consequence." Presented by ISHB and organized by the Department of Religious Studies and Religious Graduate Council. See Recording Link in the description below.
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Dr. Lewis Lancaster - Enlightenment: A Distant Beacon
May 18, 7:00 PM PDT
Zoom
Dr. Lewis Lancaster's eighth "Buddhism as a Lived Experience" lecture focuses on enlightenment, the state of transcendence achieved by the Buddha. Presented by ISHB and organized by the Department of Religious Studies and Religious Graduate Council. See Recording Link in the description below.
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Iain Sinclair - The Religiosity of Newar Buddhism: Mahāyāna or Tantric Śrāvaka?
Apr 27, 2:00 PM PDT
Zoom
Dr. Iain Sinclair presents on Newar Buddhism, which is not only the last form of Buddhism existing continuously on the subcontinent, but also the only living Mahāyāna tradition practiced using the original Sanskrit texts.
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Dr. Lewis Lancaster - Wisdom: Self-knowledge Transformed
Apr 20, 7:00 PM PDT
Zoom
Dr. Lewis Lancaster's seventh "Buddhism as a Lived Experience" lecture focuses on wisdom. Presented by ISHB in conjunction with the Department of Religious Studies and Religious Graduate Council. See Recording Link in the description below.
Details

Dr. John Campbell - The Esoteric Community Tantra with The Illuminating Lamp
Apr 15, 2:00 PM PDT
Zoom
A translation of the first 12 chapters of The Glorious Esoteric Community Great King of Tantras (Sri Guhyasamaja Maha-tantra-raja), along with the commentary called The Illuminating Lamp (Pradipoddyotana-nama-tika), in Sanskrit by Chandrakīrti. See Recording Link in the description below.
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Dr. Laura Thuy-Loan Nguyen: Trúc Lâm Buddhism in Vietnam
Apr 13, 5:00 PM
Zoom
UWest alum, Laura Thuy-Loan Nguyen, presents her new book, Trúc Lâm Buddhism in Vietnam, which chronicles the history, revival, and globalization of the popular Vietnamese Buddhist sect. See Recording Link in the description below.
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NextGen Buddhism: A Conversation with Chenxing Han & Drew Baker
Apr 08, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Zoom
American Buddhism is a tapestry that is still being woven. New works by Chenxing Han and Drew Baker highlight new threads and emerging narratives. Join us for this important dialog. See Recording Link in the description below.
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Dr. Lewis Lancaster - Concentration: Strength of Keeping Focus
Mar 16, 7:00 PM PDT
Zoom
"Buddhism as a Lived Experience" Lecture Series featuring Dr. Lewis Lancaster.
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BUDDHISM AS A LIVED EXPERIENCE

Dr. Lewis Lancaster Lecture Series

“The state of enlightened awareness achieved by the Buddha has always been seen as a great accomplishment that required lifetimes of practice culminating in the final birth when Nirvana was fully encompassed. This implies a long and arduous career of dedicated time. How can such teaching find meaning within the immediate events of living each day?”

Guest Lecture Series

View our series of guest lectures featuring award-winning scholars and researchers.

Past Events

MAPPING FO GUANG SHAN RECEPTION

October 29, 2020

Join us for the launch of our new information and research tool—interactive maps that provide a comprehensive view of Fo Guang Shan, its development, and history.

IBEF SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION 2020

September 23, 2020

A reception honoring the 2020-2021 IBEF Scholarship recipients hosted by the International Buddhist Education Foundation and the Institute for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism.

IBEF SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION 2019

September 12, 2019

A reception honoring the 2019-2020 IBEF Scholarship recipients hosted by the International Buddhist Education Foundation and the Institute for the Study of Humanistic Buddhism.

EXPRESSION OF THE DHARMA

April 4-6, 2019

Exploring the significant ways that art and culture operate in the practice of Buddhism—both historically and in contemporary times.