American Buddhist Study Center
Our mission of the American Buddhist Study Center is to encourage scholarly research in the Great Wisdom of Buddhist Teachings and to foster compassion, mindfulness, and kindness to address social, economic, and environmental issues for a better world.
The American Buddhist Study Center (ABSC), originally the American Buddhist Academy, was founded in New York City in 1951 by Rev. Hozen Seki to promote Buddhist teachings of wisdom and compassion. It was a time when many Americans still harbored racist feelings toward the Japanese because of World War II. Seki wanted to show the kinder and gentler side of the Japanese people in their Buddhist faith, and that Buddhism is a universal religion that everyone can benefit from.
Today, ABSC is expanding his vision into the 21st century and the 3rd millennium. ABSC holds programs on gender and racial issues and discussions on Buddhism, psychology, and philosophy with renowned Buddhist theologians and scholars. ABSC also holds meditation sessions to relieve everyday stress. ABSC formed an LGBTQ+ group to support and nurture the community and address the difficulties of coming out.
