The Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of Arizona has announced plans to have a new physical home, thanks to a partnership with the university’s Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. The center will offer a series of talks over the next few days for those interested in learning more and potentially supporting the new facility.

In addition to an office and conference room, the facility will provide space for a Buddhist studies library, tea ceremonies, visiting scholars, international conferences, and community lectures.

“As Dean of Humanities Alain-Philippe Durand announced recently, our center will have its new physical home in the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, a landmark facility that will be dedicated to health and wellness,” Dr. Jiang Wu, director of the Center for Buddhist Studies, told Buddhistdoor Global. “The partnership is rooted in the complementary nature of the two centers and will facilitate collaborations between the two programs. Like integrative medicine, Buddhist studies takes a humanistic approach to the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of individuals and the community.”

Upon completion, the new space for the Center for Buddhist Studies will be the largest of its kind outside of Asia, meaning that the already well known and highly regarded center will take on an even higher profile in the world of Buddhist scholarship.

Dr. Andrew Weil stated of the new facility:

We believe that the built environment is an essential component of integrative health, central to disease prevention and health promotion. Our research has proven that the design of the office environment can affect people’s stress and activity levels, their posture, even their sleep quality. This custom-designed facility brings together the concepts and philosophies upon which Integrative Medicine is built and including the Center for Buddhist Studies is a crucial element in promoting health of the mind and spirit as well as body. (University of Arizona)

Wu added: “A fundraising campaign is underway, including a naming opportunity.” Information sessions will be held via Zoom in English, Chinese, and Japanese. (click here to register)

The first English session, hosted by Jiang Wu, Michele Murphy, William Hoffacker:

Tucson, AZ, Tuesday, 8 December, 10am
Los Angeles, CA, Tuesday, 8 December, 9am
New York, NY, Tuesday, 8 December, 12pm

The second English session, hosted by Jiang Wu, Michele Murphy, William Hoffacker:

Tucson, AZ, 10 December, 6pm
Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, 10 December, 5pm
New York, NY, Thursday, 10 December, 8pm
Hong Kong, Friday, 11 December, 9am
Tokyo, Friday, 11 December, 10am

Chinese session, hosted by Jiang Wu:

Tucson, AZ, Tuesday, 15 December, 7pm
Los Angeles, CA, Tuesday, 15 December, 6pm
New York, NY, Tuesday, 15 December, 9pm
Hong Kong, Wednesday, 16 December, 10am
Tokyo, Wednesday, 16 December, 11am

Japanese session, hosted by Jiang Wu and James Baskind:

Tucson, AZ, Thursday, 17 December, 6pm
Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, 17 December, 5pm
New York, NY, Thursday, 17 December, 8pm
Hong Kong, Friday, 18 December, 9am
Tokyo, Friday, 18 December, 10am

Established in 2017, the University of Arizona’s Center for Buddhist Studies has quickly taken a place alongside established centers for the academic study of Buddhism in the English-speaking world. Their work highlights historical, textual, and artistic modes of learning about Buddhism, as well as the study of Buddhism as a lived religion. The University of Arizona’s College of Humanities entered an academic partnership with China’s Hangzhou Buddhist Academy in 2019, further broadening the center’s reach for teaching East Asian Buddhism.

In the past, the University of Arizona has offered annual programs to study Chinese culture and Buddhism in Hangzhou, which last from early June to early July, giving students a firsthand experience of a number of Buddhist traditions, including the unique tea culture of the region. This study abroad program has been limited to 10 students, who each received a travel grant for the program. Additionally, the center has offered study abroad opportunities in Bhutan and Japan.

See more

The Center for Buddhist Studies in the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (University of Arizona)

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