This workshop explores the cultural, religious, and intellectual legacy of Daisetz Teitaro (D.T.) Suzuki (1870-1966), the preeminent figure who introduced Zen and Mahayana Buddhism to the modern Western world.

Friday, November 13, 2026
9:30 AM - 3:15 PM (Pacific Time)
Charles E. Young Research Library, Main Conference Room

The program features a keynote address by Dr. Richard M. Jaffe, professor of religious studies at Duke University; an exhibition of rare Buddhist archives related to D.T. Suzuki from UCLA Library Special Collections; and a roundtable bringing together academic research, lived practice, and community engagement.

Schedule

9:30am-9:40am   Welcome Address

9:40am-11am       Presentations

Moderated by Stephanie Balkwill, UCLA

9:40am-10am    "D.T. Suzuki in The Archival Collections of Buddhism in Los Angeles," Meng Tong (UCLA)

10am-10:45am  "Promoting Buddhism from West to East: D.T. Suzuki's California Sojourns," Richard M. Jaffe (Duke University)

10:45am-11am  Q&A

11am-noon  Archive Exhibition

Young Research Library (A-Level), Distinctive Collections Classroom

On display: Suzuki correspondence and related Buddhist archives

12:15pm-1:30pm Lunch Break

1:30pm-3pm Roundtable

Moderated by Stephanie Balkwill and Meng Tong

1:30pm-2:15pm  Individual presentations by the panelists--

                            Emily Anderson, Japanese American National Museum

                            Rev Jitsujo Gauthier, University of the West / Zen Center of Los Angeles

                            Jane Iwamura, University of the West

                            Duncan Williams, University of Southern California

2:25pm-3pm  Q&A and Open Discussion

3pm-3:15pm  Closing Remarks

Kim Mc Nelly
kmcnelly@international.ucla.edu

Download file: DTS-Flyer_UCLA-uq-j5k.pdf

Sponsor(s): Center for Buddhist Studies, UCLA Library, Center for the Study of Religion