The study of Buddhism at Stanford is centered in the Department of Religious Studies, which offers several undergraduate major and minor options, as well as masters and doctoral programs, within which students may design a course of study with a concentration on Buddhism. SCBS works to strengthen the graduate and undergraduate curriculum in Buddhism and related subjects at Stanford.

The Center organizes annual reading groups for faculty and graduate students, as well as special lectures, colloquia and seminars by visiting scholars. It also works closely with Asian humanities faculty throughout the university, with the university libraries to build the Asian languages collections, and with student groups to provide opportunities for the study and practice of Buddhism. SCBS strives to create additional faculty and visiting faculty positions in the areas of Buddhist Studies not currently represented at the university, and to increase the number of graduate fellowships available for students of Buddhism.

Advanced training in Buddhist Studies at Stanford encompasses Indian, Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, with emphasis on historical and cultural contexts, and encouragement of a wide range of scholarly approaches to the understanding of the religion. With support from SCBS, Stanford’s doctoral program has grown to become one of the largest in the country, enrolling some fifteen students from North America, Asia, and Europe. Many graduates of the program are now teaching at colleges and universities throughout the country, while others have gone on to do research and teaching abroad or to become leaders in Buddhist communities.