IBS Is Expanding Its New Field Education Department

Program Growth, Hiring of Director Dr. Lilu Chen Funded by Generous Donors

Through the Dharma Forward campaign’s generous supporters, the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) has been able to significantly grow its Field Education Department over the past year with new Field Education Director Dr. Lilu Chen.

Dr. Chen — whose hiring in early 2023 was also made possible by donors — launched the first “Introduction to Field Education” class last fall with three students, two of whom chose to complete their field education experience at a hospice organization. The other student served as a Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) Minister’s Assistant for her temple. 

And, for this coming school year, Dr. Chen is expanding field education to cover two semesters. This extended timeframe will allow students to be more fully integrated into their field sites, invest in longer-term relationships, and have more opportunities for learning. 

“I have a strong appreciation for field education because it’s about taking what you learn and applying it to the real world, then seeing what you’re doing out in the world and understanding how that applies to what you’re learning at IBS,” Dr. Chen said in a March 2023 article in the Wheel of Dharma. 

Field education at IBS encompasses a diverse range of settings, including Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) sites such as hospitals, as well as volunteer opportunities at Buddhist temples, prisons and nonprofits. Students are also encouraged to propose their own sites to tailor their experiences to their interests and career goals.

As Field Education Director, Dr. Chen fosters relationships with various field education sites and guides students in the Master of Divinity program as they fulfill their field education requirements.

Dr. Chen brings an impressive blend of academic training and hands-on chaplaincy experience to IBS. She completed her Ph.D. in religious studies at Stanford University, focusing on Islamic history in China. Her chaplaincy experience includes work as a chaplain intern at Kaiser Permanente San Leandro and as a chaplain resident at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. 

She also completed the yearlong Sati Center for Buddhist Studies Chaplaincy training program.

Her vision for field education is centered on helping students find volunteer sites that align with their interests and personal growth goals. 

The “Introduction to Field Education” class was a great success, according to Dr. Chen. She expressed pride in her students for their deep reflection and the way they kindly and thoughtfully supported each other in class. 

Students shared how field education helped them affirm their career goals and gave them the confidence to transition more readily into professional work after IBS. They also appreciated that the class created a trusting environment where they were able to share vulnerabilities and challenge each other to grow.

Expanding field education studies at IBS also aligns the institute with the standards of other leading seminaries. 

Students from the first field education cohort expressed a desire for a longer class duration, which Dr. Chen is addressing. She is developing the second semester field education course for spring 2025 and updating the policies in the field education handbook.

Dr. Chen said she has heard from many new and beginning Master of Divinity students who are eager to start field education and explore the possibilities. 

She hopes that field education will continue to benefit students in deepening their self-understanding and equipping them with essential skills for success after IBS.

We are grateful for the contributions of our donors, whose support has made this expansion and the hiring of Dr. Chen possible. Their generosity ensures that our students receive the best possible education and preparation for their future roles in ministry and chaplaincy.