| 1876 |
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Aichigakuin was founded as the Nagoya Branch Training Center for Soto Zen Buddhism at Daikoin Temple , Nagoya . |
| 1902 |
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The Training Center was renamed the Third Academy of Soto Zen Buddhism. |
| 1925 |
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The Academy was renamed Aichi Middle School . |
| 1947 |
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Aichi Junior High School was established. |
| 1948 |
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Aichi High School was established.
“Aichigakuin" was decided as the general term. |
| 1950 |
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Aichigakuin Junior College was established. |
| 1953 |
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Aichigakuin University was established. |
| 1958 |
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The Academic Society of Zen Buddhism was founded.
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| 1959 |
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The Aichigakuin ZEN Review (Zengakukenkyu) was first issued. |
| 1965 |
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The Aichigakuin Institute for Zen Studies was founded. Prof. Yuten ITO was installed as the first Head of the Institute. |
| 1970 |
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Prof. Hakudo TAJIMA was installed as the second Head of the Institute.Regular study meetings and lectures commenced. |
| 1971 |
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Journal of the Institute for Zen Studies Aichigakuin University (Zen Kenkyusho Kiyo) was first issued. Annual tour for studying Zen Buddhism commenced. |
| 1967 |
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The Centennial of the founding of Aichigakuin.
World of Zen (Zen no Sekai)?was published. |
| 1980 |
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The Institute was renamed the Institute for Zen Studies of Aichigakuin University.
;The Research Center and Zen Meditation Hall were constructed.
Regular sessions of Zen meditation commenced. |
| 1988 |
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Prof. Doyu TAKEUCHI was installed as the third Head of the Institute. |
| 1990 |
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Celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Institute, and the 10th anniversary of the construction of the Zen Meditation Hall. |
| 1992 |
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World of Zen (Zen no Sekai)?was published. |
| 1995 |
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Prof. Issey NAKASO was installed as the forth Head of the Institute.
Annual tour for collecting research materials for Zen studies commenced. |
| 1996 |
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"Brocaded Priest's Robe(Kesa) in Seven Strips" was presented. |
| 1997 |
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Annual Newsletter was first issued. |
| 2000 |
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Conclusion of the Memorandum for exchange program with the Institute for MT Wutai Buddhist Culture, Shanxi , China .
Celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Institute, and the 20th anniversary of the construction of the Zen Meditation Hall.
World of Zen (Zen no Sekai)III was published. |
| 2001 |
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The Research Center was enlarged. |
The Institute for Zen Studies was founded in 1965. Since it came under the direct control of University in 1980, the Institute has undergone considerable development. At that time, a new Research Center with a traditional Zen Meditation Hall was built in the serene part of the university campus where the verdant woods contrast beautifully with the white sand garden.
The ideals upon which Aichi Gakuin University is established are "the Unity of Learning and Practice" and "a Profound Sense
of Gratitude toward the Whole World". Guided by these ideals, staff members of the Institute are striving to study and to spread
Zen Buddhism.
The Institute invites special lecturers two or three times a year to hold Study Meetings for scholars, and lectures for students and general public, They commenced in 1970.
The Institute holds Monthly Sessions of Zen Meditation at Zen Meditation Hall every second Tuesday. They begins at half past hour in the evening, and continues for one and half hours. A special session named "Rohatsu Sesshin" is held on the first Tuesday of December, commemorating the enlightenment of Shakyamuni on the 8th of December. Anyone interested in Zen, is welcomed to each Session.
During summer vacation, the Institute conducts annual tours visiting major Soto Zen temples and other religious facilities in several parts of Japan and other Asian countries. This tour commenced in 1971.
Once a year, staff members of the Institute visit some major Soto Zen temples to collect research materials for Zen studies. This tour commenced in 1995.
This is a replica of the Priest's Robe （Kesa）, which was originally owned by Emperor Shomu and listed in the Kokka Chinpo Cho （Record of the Nation's Rare Treasures） in 8th Century, and which has been preserved at Shosoin, Nara. Mr.Shigeo KAWAMOTO restored the brocade，and Rev.Seiko MIZUNO sewed the Robe. It was presented through ex-Prof.Yahoko MIZUNO at Tokyo Woman's Christian University on the 26th of November 1996.
The Institute has published 3 volumes of World of Zen (Zen no Sekai)as the Series of the Institute. Each volume contains about 15 papers written by authorities of Zen and Buddhism. Vol.1 was published in 1976 in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of Aichigakuin, vol.2 in 1992, and vol.3 in 2000 in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Institute.
The Institute issues a bulletin for publishing the papers of staff members. Aichigakuin ZEN Review (Zengaku-kenkyu) was first issued in 1959 and discontinued with vol.5 in 1970. It was followed by Journal of the Institute for Zen Studies Aichigakuin University (Zen Kenkyusho Kiyo), which was first issued in 1971. The Institute issued vol.30 of the Journal in 2002..
The Institute has issued an Annual Newsletter since 1997. The purpose of the Newsletter is to disseminate Zen Buddhism, to report on the activities of the Institute, and to invite people who are interested in Zen Buddhism to several events. Main contents are Essays on Zen, Explanation of Zen phrases, Bookreviews and some reports on the special lectures and the annual tour.
