#CFP: The 2nd IHBTP Conference on Humanistic Buddhism and Comparative Theology
What does it mean to become human in a religiously plural and rapidly changing world? The Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought and Practice at Trinity College, University of Toronto, invites proposals for its Second International Conference on Humanistic Buddhism and Comparative Theology. For submission guidelines and details, access https://uoft.me/buddhistconference
CALL FOR PAPERS
Theme: Becoming Human Date: May 5–7, 2027 Location: Trinity College, University of Toronto
Conference Overview
The Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice at Trinity College, University of Toronto, invites proposals for its Second International Conference on Humanistic Buddhism and Comparative Theology, “Becoming Human.”
What does it mean to become human in a religiously plural and rapidly changing world? Religious traditions have long understood human existence not simply as a given but as a task—a process of cultivation, transformation, awakening, liberation, or becoming. Humanistic Buddhism brings particular attention to this process by locating Buddhist awakening within everyday human life and emphasising wisdom, compassion, ethical cultivation, and responsibility for others.
This conference explores human becoming as a shared question for Humanistic Buddhism, comparative theology, and interreligious dialogue. How might Buddhist understandings of Buddha-nature, awakening, compassion, interdependence, and nonduality illuminate what it means to become fully human? How might Christian and other religious accounts of personhood, transformation, and flourishing enrich or challenge Buddhist perspectives?
The theme also invites reflection on the conditions under which human becoming takes place today. Religious pluralism increasingly brings traditions into sustained encounter, while migration, ecological crisis, social polarisation, and artificial intelligence are reshaping understandings of human identity and responsibility. What resources can religious traditions offer for navigating these transformations? Can comparative theology itself become a practice of transformation, in which encountering religious difference changes not only what we understand but also who we become?
Bringing together scholars, theologians, monastics, practitioners, and emerging researchers from around the world, the conference seeks to develop Humanistic Buddhism and comparative theology as resources for understanding human becoming in a multifaith future.
Topics of Interest
We welcome papers that explore human becoming through Humanistic Buddhism, comparative theology, and interreligious or cross-cultural inquiry. Possible areas include Buddhist and comparative perspectives on human nature, selfhood, transformation, and human flourishing; dialogue between Humanistic Buddhism and Christianity or other religious and philosophical traditions; and the role of religious traditions in addressing contemporary challenges such as religious pluralism, ecological crisis, and artificial intelligence. Comparative, theological, philosophical, historical, and interdisciplinary approaches are especially welcome.
Presentation Format
Individual paper presentations should be no more than 20 minutes. We also welcome proposals for complete panels of three papers organised around a common theme relevant to the conference.
Accommodation and Travel Support
We will provide accommodation for all presenters for four nights, May 4–7, 2027. Presenters may also apply for a travel grant of up to CAD $2,000. Travel grants will be awarded based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of conference funds. Further information about the application process will be provided to accepted presenters.
Publication
Selected conference papers will be considered for inclusion in an edited volume arising from the conference. Publication will be subject to peer review, and we will provide further information to contributors after the conference.
Submission Guidelines
Please submit the following to [email protected]:
- Paper title and abstract (maximum 250 words)
- Current curriculum vitae (CV)
For panel proposals, please submit a panel title and brief description, together with the title, abstract, and CV of each proposed presenter.
Deadline for submissions: December 18, 2026 Notification of acceptance: January 31, 2027