Pacific Buddhist Academy
Encyclopedia
The Pacific Buddhist Academy is a private, co-educational college preparatory high school in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
The school’s stated mission is "To prepare students for college through academic excellence, enrich their lives with Buddhist values, and develop their courage to nurture peace." Students of all beliefs and religious backgrounds are welcome; conversion to Buddhism is not part of the school’s mission.
Founded in 2003, the school is the only Jōdo Shinshū
Buddhist high school in North America.
Pacific Buddhist Academy's first class of 14 students graduated in 2006; its total enrollment as of the 2009-2010 school year, in grades 9 through 12, is 64 students.
The school won accreditation in 2009 from the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
for a six-year-term through June 2015, with a mid-term visit scheduled in spring 2012.
Buddhist Church of Kyoto, Japan. The school also receives significant financial support from the temples and individual members of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i
, which operates Hongwanji Mission School
, covering preschool through grade 8. Pacific Buddhist Academy and Hongwanji Mission School are affiliated academically, but the academy was founded as a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to allow for independent fundraising efforts. Team sports are conducted through the academy's membership in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu
.
Pacific Buddhist Academy class sizes do not exceed 24 students. Coursework makes extensive use of on-campus wireless Internet access.
Electives are divided into four related strands: budō or martial arts, emphasizing spiritual & philosophical development, the expressive arts, the visual arts, and academically-based electives (standard and honors track). Students also have the opportunity to participate in academic, community service and social clubs.
arts classes, service learning projects, and Buddhist education comprise the peace education program at Pacific Buddhist Academy. The foundation for these programs is derived from Buddhist principles that focus on wisdom and compassion. The perspectives of all schools of Buddhism are recognized, but with an emphasis on Shin Buddhist teachings. Buddhist Living classes are required for four years, and students attend temple services each Friday.
As freshmen, students focus on personal spiritual development through experiential learning. They enroll in courses such as taiko
(Japanese drumming), kendo
(swordmanship), and judo
that foster self-awareness and the unity of mind, body and spirit. In their sophomore and junior years, students focus on interpersonal communication, mediation, and conflict resolution skills that directly apply to their developing and intensifying relationships with peers and parents. Finally, in their senior year, their attention moves to clarification and application of their personal values at the community, national and international levels as they engage in peace projects.
's Pac-Five teams in baseball, girls’ softball, judo, swimming, tennis, track and field, water polo, and wrestling. In addition, the academy fields its own cross-country, boys’ basketball and girls’ bowling teams. Students also can participate on Pac-Five member teams in girls’ basketball and volleyball.
In 2010 the academy will launch a capital campaign for the construction of a new classroom building along the Lusitana Street side of its campus, as part of a plan to expand to a maximum of 240 students over the next 10 years. The first phase of the construction, which will accommodate 120 students, is tentatively scheduled for completion in Fall 2012.
One-third of student families identify themselves as Buddhist, one-third Christian and the rest specify no religious affiliation.
The school’s stated mission is "To prepare students for college through academic excellence, enrich their lives with Buddhist values, and develop their courage to nurture peace." Students of all beliefs and religious backgrounds are welcome; conversion to Buddhism is not part of the school’s mission.
Founded in 2003, the school is the only Jōdo Shinshū
Jodo Shinshu
, also known as Shin Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Today, Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.-Shinran :...
Buddhist high school in North America.
Pacific Buddhist Academy's first class of 14 students graduated in 2006; its total enrollment as of the 2009-2010 school year, in grades 9 through 12, is 64 students.
The school won accreditation in 2009 from the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
for a six-year-term through June 2015, with a mid-term visit scheduled in spring 2012.
Affiliations
Pacific Buddhist Academy was founded with an initial $1.5 million endowment from the Jōdo ShinshūJodo Shinshu
, also known as Shin Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Today, Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.-Shinran :...
Buddhist Church of Kyoto, Japan. The school also receives significant financial support from the temples and individual members of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i
The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii is a district of the Nishi Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, a school of Mahayana Pure Land Buddhism.-History:...
, which operates Hongwanji Mission School
Hongwanji Mission School
Hongwanji Mission School is a private co-educational preparatory school located in Nuuanu Valley and adjacent to Downtown Honolulu...
, covering preschool through grade 8. Pacific Buddhist Academy and Hongwanji Mission School are affiliated academically, but the academy was founded as a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to allow for independent fundraising efforts. Team sports are conducted through the academy's membership in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu or ILH is an athletic conference composed of private secondary schools in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The ILH comprises 26 private schools with over 7500 students participating in 22 different sports including cross country, track and field, swimming and diving,...
.
Curriculum
Pacific Buddhist Academy's curriculum aims to combine traditional college preparatory content with group projects and a global, applied approach to learning. Instructors seek to recognize and build upon students’ individual learning processes as they teach students to think critically and creatively, and to collaborate. The school works to integrate basic Buddhist principles—including interdependence, compassion, mindfulness, and gratitude—into the courses as well as daily academic life.Pacific Buddhist Academy class sizes do not exceed 24 students. Coursework makes extensive use of on-campus wireless Internet access.
Core academic curriculum
Pacific Buddhist Academy offers core academic courses, electives, and co-curricular opportunities. Core academic offerings include:- English
- Math
- Science
- Social studies
- Japanese Language
- Buddhist Education
Electives are divided into four related strands: budō or martial arts, emphasizing spiritual & philosophical development, the expressive arts, the visual arts, and academically-based electives (standard and honors track). Students also have the opportunity to participate in academic, community service and social clubs.
Peace education and spiritual development
Peace Studies, fine, performing, and budōBudo
is a Japanese term describing martial arts. In English, it is used almost exclusively in reference to Japanese martial arts.-Etymology:Budō is a compound of the root bu , meaning war or martial; and dō , meaning path or way. Specifically, dō is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga...
arts classes, service learning projects, and Buddhist education comprise the peace education program at Pacific Buddhist Academy. The foundation for these programs is derived from Buddhist principles that focus on wisdom and compassion. The perspectives of all schools of Buddhism are recognized, but with an emphasis on Shin Buddhist teachings. Buddhist Living classes are required for four years, and students attend temple services each Friday.
As freshmen, students focus on personal spiritual development through experiential learning. They enroll in courses such as taiko
Taiko
means "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
(Japanese drumming), kendo
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
(swordmanship), and judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
that foster self-awareness and the unity of mind, body and spirit. In their sophomore and junior years, students focus on interpersonal communication, mediation, and conflict resolution skills that directly apply to their developing and intensifying relationships with peers and parents. Finally, in their senior year, their attention moves to clarification and application of their personal values at the community, national and international levels as they engage in peace projects.
Athletics
Pacific Buddhist Academy students can compete on the Interscholastic League of HonoluluInterscholastic League of Honolulu
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu or ILH is an athletic conference composed of private secondary schools in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The ILH comprises 26 private schools with over 7500 students participating in 22 different sports including cross country, track and field, swimming and diving,...
's Pac-Five teams in baseball, girls’ softball, judo, swimming, tennis, track and field, water polo, and wrestling. In addition, the academy fields its own cross-country, boys’ basketball and girls’ bowling teams. Students also can participate on Pac-Five member teams in girls’ basketball and volleyball.
Campus
The Pacific Buddhist Academy campus fronts Pali Highway in the Nu'uanu area of Honolulu on the grounds of the Hawai'i Betsuin, the main temple of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i. Classrooms and administrative offices occupy a remodeled annex building of the Betsuin. The academy also shares a gymnasium, martial-arts dojo, swimming pool, science labs and art and music classrooms with Hongwanji Mission School, a Betsuin-run elementary school located on the opposite side of Pali Highway. The campuses are connected by a pedestrian tunnel.In 2010 the academy will launch a capital campaign for the construction of a new classroom building along the Lusitana Street side of its campus, as part of a plan to expand to a maximum of 240 students over the next 10 years. The first phase of the construction, which will accommodate 120 students, is tentatively scheduled for completion in Fall 2012.
Demographics
Reflecting Hawai'i's diverse ethnic heritage, 42 percent of the academy's students identify themselves with more than one ethnic group, with the overall breakdown as follows: American Indian, 5.45 percent; Asian, 89.09 percent; Filipino, 14.55 percent; Hispanic or Latino, 18.18 percent; Pacific Islander, 16.36 percent; White, not of Hispanic origin, 25.45 percent, and Other, 1.82 percent.One-third of student families identify themselves as Buddhist, one-third Christian and the rest specify no religious affiliation.