The Buddhist Study Center (BSC) was established in 1972 as a part of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (HHMH). HHMH is a statewide organization affiliated with the worldwide Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Buddhism) Hongwanji-ha. Located next to the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, the BSC has a close working relationship with UH faculty in the Department of Religion. The BSC also works with other educational institutions, religious groups, and community programs. The BSC serves as the Hawaii office of Ryukoku University, a major Shinshu Buddhist institution of Japan, and as the Hawaii branch office for the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies.