New Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice created in the Faculty of Divinity at Trinity College

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.

Through a generous gift from Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, Trinity College has established the Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice in the Faculty of Divinity. The Institute will be a hub for research, teaching, conferences and public outreach in the study of Buddhist practice and interreligious engagement.

“The Institute provides exciting new opportunities for the Faculty of Divinity to offer a broader program, deepen our course offerings, and engage a wider range of students and community members,” said The Rev. Canon Dr. Christopher Brittain, Dean of Divinity and Margaret E. Fleck Chair in Anglican Studies. “This initiative at Trinity will expand the options for students across the Toronto School of Theology and the University of Toronto to explore meaningful interreligious dialogue, research and collaboration among diverse faith traditions.”

The Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice has three main objectives: to develop Buddhist ministry courses and academic programs; to advance academic work and interreligious engagement; and to foster public engagement, wellness and environmental awareness. Additionally, the Institute will welcome international students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars, and participate in global academic research networks around the field of Humanistic Buddhism.

“Welcoming the study of Buddhism to Trinity College will further enhance the intellectual life of the College in the Faculty of Divinity and beyond. Our community is curious and eager to learn and engage with a range of perspectives, and hosting public lectures and academic conferences on the dynamics of thought and practice within Humanistic Buddhism builds on Trinity’s strength as a centre of teaching, research and learning within the University of Toronto,” said Professor Nicholas Terpstra, Provost & Vice-Chancellor, Trinity College.”

“Buddhism, particularly within the Canadian context, is dominated by mindfulness practice and has not yet received sufficient scholarly attention to explore its profound roots. Through the Institute at Trinity College, we aim to establish interdisciplinary platforms to help gain a greater understanding of Buddhism and provide a place for scholars to explore its relevance in a variety of contexts,” said the Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto.

Dr. Jizhang Yi has been appointed Interim Director, Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice. A scholar of Buddhist Studies, Comparative Philosophy and Theology, and Cognitive Science, Dr. Yi will be coordinating the academic courses and lectures in the discipline. The Institute has already begun organizing public lectures and is planning an inaugural international conference “Navigating Conflict: Humanistic Buddhism and Comparative Theology in a Divided World” to take place at Trinity College in May 2026.

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto has provided cultural, educational, community and spiritual support for Chinese Buddhism and to those interested in Buddhist teachings and practices for nearly 35 years. It is affiliated with approximately 300 Fo Guang Shan Temples worldwide.

Founded in 1851, Trinity College in Toronto is among the smallest and one of the most prestigious colleges at the University of Toronto. With over 2,400 undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts & Science, and about 100 students in the Faculty of Divinity, Trinity offers an exceptional academic experience and is an innovator in interdisciplinary study in areas such as ethics, society & law, international relations and theology. The Faculty of Divinity at Trinity College is Canada’s oldest Anglican theological school.

Categories: College News; Theology