UBC's BUDDHIST STUDIES INSTITUTE
The Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles (BSI-LA) is a Buddhist seminary facility, catering predominately to Buddhist Monastics. A monastic is defined in this context as one who has committed to the Buddhist Path by taking and maintaining (at a minimum) the ten novice Buddhist Precepts, and whom can provide verifiable proof of affiliation (in good standing) with a local Buddhist Temple in their area.
BSI-LA focuses on continually forging opportunities to experience a contemporary, in-depth and non-sectarian study of Buddhism, whilst also promoting the knowledge and understanding of the various word traditions, schools and cultures of Buddhism. Programs are therefore taught and mentored by scholars and masters from a variety of traditions, thus taking advantage of America’s unique diversity of Buddhist practice and presentation. BSI-LA provides the opportunity to experience a profound, meaningful and rewarding path to Buddhist scholarship and enlightenment.
BSI-LA is staffed by Buddhist monastics (both nuns and monks alike) from many diverse walks of life, each willing, qualified and happily able to assist students with guidance along the Buddhist scholastic path. Many Ordained Buddhist Monastics from each of the three major schools of Buddhism (Theravadan, Mahayana and Vajrayana) are involved in guiding the continual process of the refinement, development and formation of our programs.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
"It is the mission of the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles to guide contemporary monastic students in the direct realization of spiritual awakening through cultivating knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the non-sectatian dharma, in a manner consistent with that initiated by Buddha Shakyamuni, namely by means of mentored study, contemplation and personal practice. "
The Buddhist Studies Institute - Los Angeles had its beginnings as the American University of Oriental Studies, which was founded in Los Angeles on January, 9 1973, by Venerable Dr. Thich Thien-An and Dr. Leo Pruden as an Authorized Independent Institution by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under Section 94310-3 of the California Education Code.
The College was originally formed with the specified purpose of offering Western-style seminary training to Buddhist Monastics from around the world, without neglecting the inherent experiential nature of Buddhist monastic training in favor of academics with a secular slant.
Following the passing of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An in 1980, the American University of Oriental Studies suspended its classes, and was consequently reorganized in September of 1983 as the College of Buddhist Studies - Los Angeles under the leadership of Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasara and Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma (a.k.a. Thich An Tu).
In November of 2004, Ven. Dr. Thich-nu An Tu charged Ven. Dr. Thich-nu Tam Phuc with restructuring the program as the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles, transitioning the program into a primarily online educational institution. Moving beyond the confines of a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, BSI-LA now provides accessibility to a greater number of students from around the world, whilst carrying on the original mission and vision of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An.
With a revitalized curriculum and a renewed commitment to Western Buddhist scholarship and monastic training, BSI-LA continues to operate under a new set of leaders who are committed to following the same path as previous leadership.
In June of 2012, Ven. Dr. Karuna and Ven. Dr. Chitta transferred the administration and control of the University to Ven. Dr. Thich Duc Tam (Provost and Dean). BSI-LA continues to provide ordained sangha members with the unique and valuable opportunity to experience study, mentoring and training with Buddhist monastics from many different traditions.
PROGRAMS
The Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles offers several unique opportunities to engage programs of study, introspection and research that culminate with the awarding of Buddhist ministerial degrees from the Associate to the Doctoral level.
As a Buddhist religious educational institution, the BSI-LA receives students upon the bold notion that they each inherently possess absolute Buddha Nature (tathāgatagarbha), and are thus already fundamentally enlightened. Therefore, rather than focusing on mere academic scholarship alone, BSI-LA acutely seeks to point students to the direct realization of spiritual awakening, as gauged through the continual expression of enlightened action in their daily lives.
BSI-LA holds that Buddha Nature is manifest as spiritual awakening through constant perseverance and endeavoring along the Buddhist path, wherein Buddha Nature is continually uncovered and polished. It is therefore the mission of BSL-LA to guide each student in the exploration and establishment of a personal direction for lifelong Buddhist practice, whilst empowering them with the knowledge and skills to effectively transmit the dharma.
In this light, BSI-LA recognizes that spiritual awakening is manifest in its own time, by natural process, and on an individual basis as dictated by each individual's accumulated karma (patterns of cause and effect leading to this very moment). Consequently, the BSI-LA Master's and Doctoral programs are not strictly regimented in the form standard to secular academic institutions that oft ensnare, penalize, and cause undue anxiety and/or stress to students, that undoubtedly inhibit true learning. Rather, in accordance with BSI-LA's affirmation of Buddha Nature, we follow an approach that we feel reflects the true purpose of Buddhist education, which is clearly apparent in examination of the word's etymology. The Latin root educ means “to draw out from”, “to lead”, “to draw our something hidden, latent or reserved”, “the bringing out of potential or something latent”.
At BSI-LA we view the purpose of Buddhist education, as being to promote each individual student to explore and express that which their practice of the dharma has allotted their understanding and corresponding realization, whilst offering mentoring prompts that help to deepen the students practice in this very moment, wherever they may be on the path.
In consideration of the aforementioned, it's important to further note that the programs of BSI-LA do not carry the typical mandates of secular academic programs. As we are a religious education institution (note: seminary), we ONLY teach the dharma which is gradually realized at different lengths of time for each individual student. Our programs' content and duration reflect the motivation, practice and realization of each student; student's practice and understanding must (and will) mature and bear fruit in natural, unforced process!
The BSI-LA programs are not designed with an specific time frame in mind, rather they are based on the result of spiritual growth, maturation and realization alone.
As a Buddhist Seminary, BSI-LA is a religious exempt degree granting institution, duly registered with the state of California. However, BSI-LA does not offer any claim of institutional accreditation and the transferability of any BSI-LA credits are at the sole discretion of the receiving institution.
The Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles (BSI-LA) is a Buddhist seminary facility, catering predominately to Buddhist Monastics. A monastic is defined in this context as one who has committed to the Buddhist Path by taking and maintaining (at a minimum) the ten novice Buddhist Precepts, and whom can provide verifiable proof of affiliation (in good standing) with a local Buddhist Temple in their area.
BSI-LA focuses on continually forging opportunities to experience a contemporary, in-depth and non-sectarian study of Buddhism, whilst also promoting the knowledge and understanding of the various word traditions, schools and cultures of Buddhism. Programs are therefore taught and mentored by scholars and masters from a variety of traditions, thus taking advantage of America’s unique diversity of Buddhist practice and presentation. BSI-LA provides the opportunity to experience a profound, meaningful and rewarding path to Buddhist scholarship and enlightenment.
BSI-LA is staffed by Buddhist monastics (both nuns and monks alike) from many diverse walks of life, each willing, qualified and happily able to assist students with guidance along the Buddhist scholastic path. Many Ordained Buddhist Monastics from each of the three major schools of Buddhism (Theravadan, Mahayana and Vajrayana) are involved in guiding the continual process of the refinement, development and formation of our programs.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
"It is the mission of the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles to guide contemporary monastic students in the direct realization of spiritual awakening through cultivating knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the non-sectatian dharma, in a manner consistent with that initiated by Buddha Shakyamuni, namely by means of mentored study, contemplation and personal practice. "
The Buddhist Studies Institute - Los Angeles had its beginnings as the American University of Oriental Studies, which was founded in Los Angeles on January, 9 1973, by Venerable Dr. Thich Thien-An and Dr. Leo Pruden as an Authorized Independent Institution by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under Section 94310-3 of the California Education Code.
The College was originally formed with the specified purpose of offering Western-style seminary training to Buddhist Monastics from around the world, without neglecting the inherent experiential nature of Buddhist monastic training in favor of academics with a secular slant.
Following the passing of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An in 1980, the American University of Oriental Studies suspended its classes, and was consequently reorganized in September of 1983 as the College of Buddhist Studies - Los Angeles under the leadership of Ven. Dr. Havanpola Ratanasara and Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma (a.k.a. Thich An Tu).
In November of 2004, Ven. Dr. Thich-nu An Tu charged Ven. Dr. Thich-nu Tam Phuc with restructuring the program as the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles, transitioning the program into a primarily online educational institution. Moving beyond the confines of a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, BSI-LA now provides accessibility to a greater number of students from around the world, whilst carrying on the original mission and vision of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An.
With a revitalized curriculum and a renewed commitment to Western Buddhist scholarship and monastic training, BSI-LA continues to operate under a new set of leaders who are committed to following the same path as previous leadership.
In June of 2012, Ven. Dr. Karuna and Ven. Dr. Chitta transferred the administration and control of the University to Ven. Dr. Thich Duc Tam (Provost and Dean). BSI-LA continues to provide ordained sangha members with the unique and valuable opportunity to experience study, mentoring and training with Buddhist monastics from many different traditions.
PROGRAMS
The Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles offers several unique opportunities to engage programs of study, introspection and research that culminate with the awarding of Buddhist ministerial degrees from the Associate to the Doctoral level.
As a Buddhist religious educational institution, the BSI-LA receives students upon the bold notion that they each inherently possess absolute Buddha Nature (tathāgatagarbha), and are thus already fundamentally enlightened. Therefore, rather than focusing on mere academic scholarship alone, BSI-LA acutely seeks to point students to the direct realization of spiritual awakening, as gauged through the continual expression of enlightened action in their daily lives.
BSI-LA holds that Buddha Nature is manifest as spiritual awakening through constant perseverance and endeavoring along the Buddhist path, wherein Buddha Nature is continually uncovered and polished. It is therefore the mission of BSL-LA to guide each student in the exploration and establishment of a personal direction for lifelong Buddhist practice, whilst empowering them with the knowledge and skills to effectively transmit the dharma.
In this light, BSI-LA recognizes that spiritual awakening is manifest in its own time, by natural process, and on an individual basis as dictated by each individual's accumulated karma (patterns of cause and effect leading to this very moment). Consequently, the BSI-LA Master's and Doctoral programs are not strictly regimented in the form standard to secular academic institutions that oft ensnare, penalize, and cause undue anxiety and/or stress to students, that undoubtedly inhibit true learning. Rather, in accordance with BSI-LA's affirmation of Buddha Nature, we follow an approach that we feel reflects the true purpose of Buddhist education, which is clearly apparent in examination of the word's etymology. The Latin root educ means “to draw out from”, “to lead”, “to draw our something hidden, latent or reserved”, “the bringing out of potential or something latent”.
At BSI-LA we view the purpose of Buddhist education, as being to promote each individual student to explore and express that which their practice of the dharma has allotted their understanding and corresponding realization, whilst offering mentoring prompts that help to deepen the students practice in this very moment, wherever they may be on the path.
In consideration of the aforementioned, it's important to further note that the programs of BSI-LA do not carry the typical mandates of secular academic programs. As we are a religious education institution (note: seminary), we ONLY teach the dharma which is gradually realized at different lengths of time for each individual student. Our programs' content and duration reflect the motivation, practice and realization of each student; student's practice and understanding must (and will) mature and bear fruit in natural, unforced process!
The BSI-LA programs are not designed with an specific time frame in mind, rather they are based on the result of spiritual growth, maturation and realization alone.
As a Buddhist Seminary, BSI-LA is a religious exempt degree granting institution, duly registered with the state of California. However, BSI-LA does not offer any claim of institutional accreditation and the transferability of any BSI-LA credits are at the sole discretion of the receiving institution.