The BSC Summer Session is an annual, week-long seminar with a well-known Buddhist scholar.
The Buddhist Study Center presents Summer Session 2026
“Rethinking Buddhist Education”
with Rev. Dr. Aaron Proffitt
July 27 — August 1, 2026
Three evenings in person at the Buddhist Study Center and Online via Zoom, one in-person retreat at ‘Aiea Hongwanji
Register
Seminar Schedule
“Entering the Mahayana Multiverse”
Monday, July 27, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
About this topic
How does a redneck from the rolling hills and valleys of rural Tennessee end up studying Esoteric Pure Land Buddhism in the mountains of Japan? In this session I will share my faith journey, exploring the peace of Zen, the roaring fire of Tantra, and the joy and laughter of Shin Buddhism. It is my sincere hope that I may inspire people to engage deeply with the Mahayana worldview, both in its diversity and simplicity.
“Shin Buddhism as Basic Buddhism”
Tuesday, July 28, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
About this topic
When I first encountered Shin Buddhism while living in rural Japan, I was struck not only by how much the Shin path resonated with me, but also I was puzzled by how few scholars study Pure Land Buddhism. In this session, I will consider some of the blind spots within the academic study of Buddhism, and hopefully answer how it came to be that the largest form of Buddhism is also the least studied by scholars.
“Buddhism is Simple, Buddhist Studies is Complicated”
Wednesday, July 29, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m HST
About this topic
Students in my Buddhism surveys and seminars often comment that Buddhism is “complicated.” I tell them that Buddhism is quite simple. It’s the academic study of Buddhism that is complicated. In this session, I will consider different approaches to Buddhist education: in the university, in Dharma School, and training to be a Buddhist priest. Indeed, the study of Buddhism is not just about accumulating information, but rather the study of Buddhism provides children, parents, and scholars with diverse tools for thinking about the life that is living us.
“Buddhism and Family Culture”
(Half-Day Retreat at ‘Aiea Hongwanji)
Saturday, August 1, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m HST
About this topic
Sometimes I joke with my college students that my classes are not Buddhist Sunday School. And I can say that because I also teach Buddhist Sunday School! In this session I will share my journey as a Buddhist parent, and how the Shin Buddhist tradition has provided me with the resources I need to build a deliberate, dynamic family culture rooted in Buddhist wisdom and compassion. Though we may live in a culture steeped in ignorance, hatred, and greed, with the help of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha we can help our little ones grow in wisdom, loving-kindness, and generosity. In this session, perhaps with the help of my daughter, I will also share some of the craft activities we have developed in the Albany Buddhist Sangha, a Buddhist group I helped build with other families in Albany, NY.
If you have questions, please contact the Buddhist Study Center at (808) 522-9200 or 1436 University Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96822.
Rev. Dr. Aaron Proffitt
Registration & Donations
Register Online (Google form) — you can specify in person or online attendance.
Regular Registration Deadline: July 20, 2026
Suggested tax-deductible donation: all 4 sessions $50, single evening session $10, Saturday retreat $20
Checks made out to HHMH and sent to 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813 with “Summer Session” in the memo line.
Or, make an Online Donation. Mahalo!
About the Speaker
Rev. Dr. Aaron Shōken 正見 Proffitt is an Associate Professor of Japanese Studies in the East Asian Studies Department and an ordained Buddhist priest (tokudo) in the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha lineage.
Originally from Lynchburg, Tennessee, Proffitt received his BA and MA in religious studies from the University of Colorado, and his PhD in Buddhist studies from the University of Michigan. He studied Japanese at the Inter-University Center in Yokohama from 2009 to 2010 and conducted research as a Fulbright Fellow at Otani University, Koyasan University and Ryukoku University from 2014 to 2015.
Proffitt serves the UAlbany Interfaith Center and Buddhist Student Association as a Buddhist chaplain. He also co-founded the Albany Buddhist Sangha (albanybuddhist.org) and regularly teaches mindfulness and meditation for community organizations in the Albany area.
District Sessions: Rev. Proffitt will also speak at events hosted by individual Hongwanji Hawaii districts. We will share the info as it it is finalized.
Past Summer Sessions
2025: “The Path Comes to Meet Me: Awakening to Namo Amida Butsu”
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Enrique Galvan-Alvarez
Video links to come
2024: Shifting From ‘Please’ to ‘Thank You’ — A Path to Awakening
2023: Shinran’s Challenge: A Shin Buddhist in the 21st Century
2022: Jodo Shinshu and the Making of American Buddhism
Speaker: Dr. Scott Mitchell
2021: Peace Through Buddha-dharma
more past sessions
2020: Interlinked: Understanding the Origins and Evolution of American Buddhism
2019: Everyday Buddhism
2018: Everyday Buddhism for a Happy, Meaningful Life
2017: Jodo Shinshu in the land of Shakyamuni
2016: Mindfulness and Buddhism in America
2015: What does Jodo Shinshu Mean to Me?
Speaker: Hawaii Kyodan Ministers and members
2014: Resolving Life’s Problems through Buddhism
Speaker: Marvin Harada
2013: The Power of Shin Buddhism
Speaker: Mark Unno
2012: The inner workings of Shin Buddhism: Savoring the spirituality of Gutoku Shinran
Speaker: William Masuda
2011: Shin Buddhist Theology: Questions of good & evil, humanness, and salvation
Speaker: David Matsumoto
2010: Rethinking Jodo Shinshu
Speaker: Toshikazu Arai
2009: Inconceivable Life: Buddhist compassion in the Ocean of Light
Speaker: Mark & Ty Unno
2008: Coping with Life and Death: Buddhist Style
Speaker: Carl Becker
2007: Foundation of Buddha Dharma: How to live in Metta (loving kindness)in Today’s world
Speaker: Shoyo Taniguchi
2006: Joy and Appreciation of Shin Buddhism through Shoshinge
Speaker: Eisho Nasu
2005: Learn the Dharma Through life and thought of Great Buddhists
Speaker: Marvin Harada
2004: Back to the Basics
Speaker: Toshikazu Arai
2003: The Growth of American Buddhism: The Role of Shin Buddhism
Speaker: Ken Tanaka
2002: The Conemplation Sutra: PureLand Path of Exclusion and Inclusion
Speaker: David Matsumoto
2001: The Larger Sutra
Speaker: Nobuo Haneda
2000: Dharma Experience Through Poetry
Speaker: Ty Unno
Summer Session History
Group photo from the 2018 Summer Session (click image for larger version)
The BSC Summer Session held its first classes in 1974 with Dr. Alfred Bloom and Dr. Mokusen Miyuki. For over 50 years distinguished teachers have shared their knowledge and perspectives on the Wisdom and Compassion of the Teachings of Buddhism. These scholars include: Dr. Taitetsu Unno, Rev. Gyomay Kubose, Dr. George Tanabe, Prof. Takamaro Shigaraki, Dr. Mark Unno, Rev. Ruth Tabrah, Dr. David Matsumoto, Rev. Marvin Harada, Rev. William Masuda, & Rev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji.
