Buddhist Education Resources
Center for Buddhist Education
Inspired by the legacy of Shinran Shonin, the mission of the Buddhist Churches of America – Center for Buddhist Education (CBE) is to provide diverse learning opportunities to deepen the understanding and appreciation of Buddha’s wisdom and compassion among Sangha leaders and the broader community.
As an educational arm of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), CBE offers programs to support the continuing education of BCA ministers, training of ministers assistants, temple leaders, Dharma School teachers, youth groups, affiliated organizations and others interested in exploring Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in America.
Brochures on Buddha-Dharma
The Buddhist Churches of America publishes a series of informational brochures on subjects ranging from introduction to Buddhism to Buddhist views on contemporary social topics. The brochures are brief summaries of the stated subject meant to provide the reader with a high level view of the Buddhist approach. The Nishi Hongwanji of L.A. has made these brochures available on its website: Brochures on Buddha-Dharma
Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course
This is a 2-year computer-based correspondence course offered by the Buddhist Churches of America, allowing students to gain basic knowledge of Jodo Shinshu and Buddhism in general. Students will download text materials, submit assignments and receive feedback from instructors. Students will deepen their understanding through correspondence with instructors as well as benefit from reference materials such as video lectures, Dharma Talks and sutra chanting. Students can also enjoy free discussion with other participants through the course chat room and message board. In addition, an optional workshop will be offered every summer so that students may have the opportunity to communicate in person as well as through the Internet. Click here for more information about the Jodo Shinshu Correspondence Course.
Bookstore
The BCA Bookstore offers a wide variety of books in Pure Land, Zen, Theravada, Tiwwwn and other Buddhist traditions. Topics range from introductions for beginners to translations of sutras for scholars.
Wheel of Dharma Publication
The Wheel of Dharma is the print publication of the BCA. This monthly publication features stories about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, occasional articles on general Buddhism, and church/temple news. This publication also includes a Japanese section called the “Horin.”
Institute of Buddhist Studies
Established in 1949, the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) provides graduate-level Buddhist education, ministerial and chaplaincy training, and other educational programs. In affiliation with the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., a fully accredited master’s degree in Buddhist Studies is offered. The IBS offers Jodo Shinshu ministerial training on behalf of the Buddhist Churches of America. In addition to formal degree programs or ministerial education, the IBS offers lectures and publications available to the lay public through its website.
Collected Works of Shinran
The online publication of the Collected Works of Shinran (1173-1263), founder of Jodo Shinshu, or Shin Buddhism.
DharmaNet
Since 1991, DharmaNet has been an online resource center for learning about meditation, wisdom and Buddhism.
