THE WORLD BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY
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EXTERNAL DEGREE PROGRAMS
POST-SECONDARY DIPLOMA, AND M. A., & M. PHIL. IN
BUDDHIST STUDIES
ANNOUNCEMENT
World Buddhist University (WBU)
Established through a Charter approved by the General Conference
of the World Fellowship of Buddhist in Australia in 1998, and
duly incorporated in Thailand on 28 November 2543 (2000), the
World Buddhist University began operations on December 9, 2000.
Founded on the lines of the United Nations University as a consortium
of Associated Institutions, the University Centre is located
in Bangkok, Thailand. Its governing body, the WBU Council, consists
of twenty-five internationally reputed, eminent Buddhist scholars
from all continents of the world.
The Mission of the World Buddhist University stresses Buddhist
scholarship and research promoting Buddhism, especially meditation
and other spiritual practices, coordination among the three Buddhist
traditions, networking with Associated Institutions and applying
Buddhist teachings to major issues and problems.
The WBU preserves and promotes understanding of the past through
Buddhist scriptures, emphasizes practice and full engagement
in the present and welcomes the future through applications of
Buddhism to current and future problems and issues. The major
aim is to prepare many more people worldwide to use Buddhist
teachings in their life and share these teachings with others.
Institution of External Degree Program
In
pursuance of the World Buddhist University’s (WBU)
council resolution of the fifth meeting at Khaoshiung, Taiwan
in March 2004, the Statute on External Degree Programs was approved
by the Council later in 2004. Accordingly, the University has
instituted a program of education and external examinations to
grant certificates, diplomas and degrees in Buddhist Studies
to candidates who are either internal students of Associated
Institutions or private students pursuing self-study.
This publication presents rules and regulations, the program
design, courses of study and syllabi pertaining to a short-course
certificate program, a postsecondary diploma in Buddhist Studies
and two graduate degrees, a Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies
(M.A.) requiring in-depth course study and a Master of Philosophy
in Buddhist Studies (M..Phil.), based on intensive research.
The certificate and diploma programs are class oriented and can
be done at the WBU Centre or at other Associated Institutions
who choose to offer these programs. The Master Degree programs
are distance learning programs using the Internet and email and
can be done through the WBU Centre, through an Associated Institution
or as a private student anywhere in the world.
Overview of Programs
(1) A Certificate in Buddhist Studies is given to a student
who participates in a short course of 15 to 20 hours. It is an
introductory course open to anyone who wants to learn the basics
of Buddhism and is usually given over a week or two week time
period through direct classes. There is no requirement of previous
Buddhist study or knowledge. It will be offered by the WBU starting
in 2006. The WBU version or other versions may be available at
Associated Institutions.
(2) A Diploma in Buddhist Studies is offered in cooperation
with the WBU Associated Institution of Singapore, the Buddhist
Research Society/Library, as a postsecondary Buddhist Studies
Program, based on the syllabi of the Diploma Program of the Pali
and Buddhist University of Sri Lanka, Colombo. This course is
offered through direct classes and consists of three modules
offered over a one year time period. This model is not offered
at the WBU Centre at this time. It is available as a model to
other Associated Institutions.
(3) Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (M.A.) is awarded to
students who successfully pass essay examinations in a prescribed
number of courses covering all aspects of Buddhist doctrine,
practices, philosophy, history, culture, supplemented by a period
of spiritual development through meditation. The examinations
are conducted by the University Centre in Bangkok, Thailand where
the basic languages used are English and Thai. Based on negotiations
with the WBU, an Associated Institution may translate the program
and offer it in the language of its location. For other languages,
the WBU will try to make arrangements on an individual basis
that will enable international students to study in their own
language. This will depend on the availability of advisors, examiners
and study materials in that language. In addition, the WBU University
Centre in Bangkok may schedule seminars, meetings with teachers
and general discussion among students and progressively provide
distant learning through a multi-media approach. In general,
this requires a two year period of study.
(4) Master of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies (M. Phil.) is awarded
with the assistance of the WBU Associated Institution in the
USA, the International Academy of Buddhism of the University
of the West, Los Angeles County, California. An applicant will
register with the WBU and can begin their research after the
approval of a research thesis or published or unpublished research
treatise on any aspect of Buddhist Studies. Once approved, the
research will be supervised and graded by the International Academy
of Buddhism at the University of the West. In general, this requires
a two year period of research and writing plus an oral defense
of the research.
Eligibility and Basic Requirements
All programs are open to both lay and monastic candidates.
A
Bachelors degree from a recognized University or an equivalent
from a
recognized College or Institution of Buddhist Studies
is the minimum entry requirement
for either Master’s degree.
Where such a degree is not in Buddhist Studies, a lay applicant
may be required to establish through an examination or testimonial
that he/she has some understanding of the basic doctrines and
practices of Buddhism before proceeding to graduate studies in
Buddhism.
Information literacy competency in the use of Internet resources
will be an advantage.
A monastic applicant will be required to supplement the course
work with materials and courses about his or her order, tradition
or school.
Credit may be given to any graduate-level formal training obtained
from a recognized University/College or Department of Buddhist
Studies, provided that the ceremonial/ritual part of such training
will not be considered.
Special Features and Advantages
Candidates
joining any of these programs will benefit from the systematic
study of Buddhism from a modern day perspective. For
the Masters Degree programs, they can study from anywhere at
anytime at each one’s chosen pace and customize the learning
according to their own interests and needs.
The international network of Associated Institutions constituting
the WBU may choose to provide in-class and guided instruction
for internal students, resident in the respective countries.
A
broad range of resources, both printed and electronic will
need to be utilized
by students. For the M. A. in Buddhist Studies,
the University Centre in Bangkok will provide an advisor to each
student, guidelines for the courses, some electronic and hard
copy versions of materials for the courses and general guidance
in distance learning. The students can access both Internet resources
and on-line “streamed” courses such as those offered
by the University of the West of California as well as other
newly established on-line programs.
The two Masters Degree programs put major responsibility on
private students to develop and organize their own learning process.
The WBU Associated Institutions and the University Centre will
provide advice, guidance and general direction at a relatively
inexpensive cost to the student.
Certification
Diplomas
issued for the two Master’s degrees shall be
under the signature of the Chair of the Council, the Rector and
the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and be authenticated by
the official seal of the World Buddhist University. In the case
of students presented by an Associated Institution, the name
and location of the Institution shall be included in the diploma.
Welcome to WBU
With these introductory comments, we have the pleasure to invite
you to consider the program of your choice and benefit from this
special service which the World Buddhist University provides
to the international Buddhist community through the initiative
of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the direct involvement
of the WBU University Centre in Bangkok, Thailand and the network
of the WBU Associated Institutions.
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The
Board for External Degrees/World Buddhist
University
616 Benjasiri Park, Soi Sukumvit 24,
Sukumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
For More Infomation in the USA -- Please Contact:
e-Mail
- Ananda W. P. Guruge Ananda
W. P. Guruge - Chair,
World Buddhist University Council Dean of Academic Affairs
and Director,
International Academy of Buddhism. University
of the West, California, USA
Details
About This Program:
World
Buddhist University... Manual in PDF - Free Download
WORLD BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY EXTERNAL DEGREE PROGRAMS
RULES, REGULATIONS AND SYLLABI FOR POST-SECONDARY DIPLOMA,
AND M. A., & M. PHIL. IN BUDDHIST STUDIES
Download
Manual Here
Ananda W. P. Guruge - Chair,
World Buddhist University Council Dean of Academic Affairs
and Director,
International Academy of Buddhism. University of the West, California,
USA
Phan
Wannamethee - Acting
Rector World Buddhist University Bangkok, Thailand
Banjob
Bannaruji - Vice
Rector for Academic Affairs and Chair of the Board for External
Degrees World Buddhist University Bangkok, Thailand
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