About
The Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice is an academic initiative at Trinity College, University of Toronto, dedicated to the rigorous study and living practice of Humanistic Buddhism and other expressions of publicly engaged Buddhism. Rooted in the Chinese Mahayana tradition and engaged with contemporary global challenges, the Institute integrates scholarly research, professional formation, and public engagement in an interdisciplinary and interreligious context.
Established with the generous support of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, the Institute advances academic excellence while cultivating ethical leadership, spiritual formation, and compassionate social engagement. It intends to serve as a bridge between Buddhist traditions and Western philosophy and theology, contributing to the long-standing commitment to global scholarship and religious diversity of Trinity College, the University of Toronto, and the Toronto School of Theology.
Photo: Signing the agreement between Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto and Trinity College in Taiwan, November 2025. (L to R) Ven. Chueh Fan, Abbess, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, Provost Nicholas Terpstra, Trinity College, and Dr. Tsong-Ming Lin, Vice-Chancellor, Fo Guang Shan University Consortium.
Mission and Vision
Mission
The Institute advances education, research, and public understanding of Humanistic Buddhism—a modern Buddhist movement emerging from early twentieth-century China that emphasizes ethical living, social responsibility, and the integration of spiritual practice with everyday life. Grounded in the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha and the Chinese Mahayana heritage, especially Chan Buddhism, the Institute promotes scholarship that is intellectually rigorous, socially responsive, and spiritually grounded. Through its academic, ministerial, and public initiatives, the Institute fosters ethical and religious leadership, intercultural understanding, and public-facing humanistic knowledge relevant to education, pluralism, and global engagement in North America.
Vision
The Institute aspires to become a globally recognized centre for Buddhist thought, practice, and interreligious dialogue. By integrating academic research with lived practice, it addresses contemporary challenges related to mental health, ecological sustainability, social ethics, and community well-being. Through international collaboration and sustained public engagement, the Institute equips scholars, practitioners, and community leaders to respond thoughtfully and compassionately to the ethical and spiritual demands of an interconnected world.
Core Activities
The Institute supports a wide range of academic, ministerial, and public initiatives, including:
- Public Lecture Series and Symposia
Regular lectures, dialogues, and cultural events featuring leading scholars, monastics, and practitioners. - Buddhist Ministry and Leadership Initiatives
Graduate-level courses and professional formation programs preparing students for Buddhist chaplaincy, spiritual care, and community leadership in multireligious contexts. - Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue
Sustained engagement between Buddhism, Christianity, and other religious and philosophical traditions through comparative research and public forums. - International Conferences
A regular series of conferences fostering global scholarly exchange on Humanistic Buddhism, comparative theology, and interreligious dialogue. - Visiting Scholars and Postdoctoral Fellowships
Residential and non-residential appointments supporting advanced research and collaborative teaching. - Public Engagement and Digital Outreach
Programs addressing ethics, mindfulness, well-being, and environmental responsibility, accessible to academic and public audiences alike.
Research and Teaching
The Institute’s research and teaching focus on:
- Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice
- Chan (Zen) Buddhism
- Buddhist–Christian Dialogue
- Approaches to Method and Practice for Comparative Theology
- Buddhist Ministry and Leadership
- Applied Ethics, Spiritual Care, and Well-being
Courses are offered through Trinity College and the Toronto School of Theology, integrating textual study, philosophical analysis, contemplative practice, and contextual learning.
Five-Year Strategic Plan
Over its first five years, the Institute will focus on five strategic priorities:
- Academic Conferences
Hosting annual international conferences and symposia to foster interdisciplinary and global collaboration. - Research Support and Publications
Funding research projects, monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed publications in Buddhist studies and interreligious scholarship. - Ongoing Public Lecture Series
Establishing a regular, high-profile lecture program connecting theory and practice. - Curricular Development
Expanding graduate-level offerings in Buddhist thought and practice, including approved course “Focus” and “Stream” options within existing degrees. - Degree Concentrations within Existing Programs
Progressively developing a Buddhism-focused stream within existing degrees (e.g., Certificate of Theological Studies, Master of Theological Studies), subject to university approval.
This work is supported by an initial $3.25 million five-year commitment from Fo Guang Shan, alongside ongoing efforts to secure additional funding and long-term endowment support.
Governance
The Institute operates as an independent academic centre within Trinity College, with governance structures ensuring academic integrity and accountability.
Managing Committee
Chaired by the Dean of Divinity, the Managing Committee provides strategic oversight and includes faculty representatives from Trinity College and the University of Toronto, along with the Institute’s Director. It reports to the Trinity College Senate.
Advisory Board
An international Advisory Board of scholars, monastics, and community leaders advises on academic direction, research priorities, curriculum development, and public engagement.
All academic programs and courses are subject to approval by the Faculty of Divinity Council and the Trinity College Senate.