Dr. Jim Eubanks Sensei
Jim Eubanks, DC, MS, CSCS
Shi Yong Xiang
Abbot, OPB
Director of Buddhist Studies, CPB
Jim was the final monastic student of the late Ven. Shi Shen Long, Ryugen Fisher and is the Director of Buddhist Studies at CPB and Abbot of OPB. Jim studied Hinduism, Early Buddhism, Daoism, and Chan/Zen Buddhism formally with his teacher for three years prior to Ryugen's passing, learning the practical skills necessary to continue his teacher's pragmatic approach to American Chan Buddhism (the precursor to Pragmatic Buddhism). Jim graduated with a BA in Philosophy and specialized in Comparative & Asian Studies at Furman University, and performed thesis work under the direction of David E. Shaner, PhD. Shaner Sensei is now Jim's teacher, and he remains in weekly contact with Jim. Jim has trained in traditional Chinese and Japanese martial and meditative arts for the past 10 years and is the Chief Instructor of the American Shaolin Center (ASC). Along with several other instructors, Jim teaches American Shaolin gongfu (kung fu), qigong, yoga and meditation at Furman University in Greenville, SC (2003-2007) and Washington University in St. Louis, MO (2005-present). Jim is Editor of the Center for Pragmatic Buddhism's quarterly publication, The Pragmatic Buddhist.
Dr. Eubanks Sensei received a Bachelor of Science (BS) in life science from Logan University in St. Louis, MO, and graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) from Logan College of Chiropractic in Spring 2009. He will graduate December 2009 with a Master of Science (MS) in sports science and rehabilitation from Logan. In Fall 2009, he became a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Dr. Eubanks' interest in martial arts, meditation, neuromusculoskeletal medicine, and physical rehabilitation led to his founding the Institute for Bodymind Studies (IBS). As clinical director, he is now developing IBS into a comprehensive, evidence-based organization for the education and training, clinical treatment and scientific research of the human bodymind.
The Pragmatic Sensei by Candace O'Connor
"Inspired by his work in Asian Studies at Furman, Jim Eubanks '05 is helping to define a more accessible, culturally relevant strain of Buddhism."
Featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Furman magazine, a quarterly magazine published by Furman University, Greenville, S.C. 2
