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The Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice at Trinity College, University of Toronto, is delighted to announce its International Inaugural Conference. Join us to explore how Humanistic Buddhism can engage in comparative theological reflection with other religious traditions to deepen mutual understanding, spiritual insight, and ethical renewal, particularly in a divided global context. Bringing together scholars, monastics, practitioners, and theologians from around the world, the conference invites fresh perspectives on how religious traditions can and do intersect in an age of global pluralism and shared humanity.

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Bringing together scholars, monastics, practitioners, and theologians from around the world, the conference invites fresh perspectives on how religious traditions can and do intersect positively (and sometimes negatively) in an age of global pluralism and shared humanity.

‍DAY 1 — Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Trinity College‍

• PLENARY PRESENTATION - Michelle Voss - Comparative Theology for Humanistic Ends: Learning from the Margins in Divided Times

• PANELS: Engaging Buddhist Thought through Historical Perspectives | Migration and Localisation of Humanistic Buddhism

• PLENARY PRESENTATION - Gregory Snyder - Poverty, Shame, and Liberation: Considering a Critical Phenomenology of Collective Karma and Structural Sin

DAY 2 — Thursday, May 7, 2026 - 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Trinity College‍

• PANELS: Humanistic Buddhist Practices in Comparative Perspective | Navigating Buddhism in Western and Modern Contexts | Comparative Theology: Buddhist–Christian Dialogue

• KEYNOTE ADDRESS - Francis X. Clooney

DAY 3 — Friday, May 8, 2026 - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Trinity College/Fo Guang Shan Temple

• PANEL: Comparative Theological Frameworks for Buddhist Ethics

• TRIP TO FO GUANG SHAN TEMPLE OF TORONTO

• PLENARY PRESENTATION - Lewis R. Lancaster - Navigating Conflict: Humanistic Buddhism & Comparative Religion

• PANEL: Practising Humanistic Buddhism in Context

For full schedule visit: https://www.trinity.utoronto.ca/buddhism/conference/

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If you would like to attend, please register here