Overview
The program provides an international standard of education in the academic study of Buddhism that will allow Buddhists to engage with the modern global world fully.
The program does not focus on learning Buddha Dharma, sutras, philosophy, etc., per se; instead, students learn how to study Buddhism from an academic perspective.
This means that:
(1) Students learn how to use theory and method in social sciences and humanities and
(2) How Buddhism is impacted by secular factors, such as globalization, politics, and secularism itself.
Furthermore, students are trained as innovative leaders in global Buddhism to effectively engage in the modern globalized world by analyzing their social conditions.
The Global Buddhism MA and Ph.D. are designed for the acquisition of analytical skills in order that students can apply their knowledge and skills to effectively analyze data from all social and cultural fields of interest, concentrating on religion and specialization in analyzing Buddhism in all its social, political, and cultural settings.
With an estimated 95% of the Thai population adhering to Buddhism, Thailand and its capital Bangkok provide a perfect venue for such a Buddhist studies program.
Goals
The program aims to educate Buddhist monks, nuns, and laity to be full-fledged leaders and shapers of the modern information-based, multicultural, and globalized world.
Producing morally grounded Buddhist intellectuals and socially engaged monks, nuns, and laity capable of researching and analyzing data that is then applied for the betterment of Buddhism, Buddhists, and society.
To further promote academic studies of Buddhism in its various modern cultural manifestations to better understand and sustain Buddhism and create a harmonious relationship between Buddhism and all stakeholders in society. Produce graduate Buddhist leaders with a worldview broader than their current doctrinal, cultural, and national worldviews.
Equip Buddhist monks, nuns, and laity returning to their monasteries, institutions, or home life with appropriate skills to be better able to innovate, lead, and manage their respective monasteries and institutions, better interact with the laity, and thus, better serve their local, and the global, community.
Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Global Buddhism and the (International Program) should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
(1) Ability to convey ideas verbally and in writing using the English language;
(2) Proficiency in data collection, organization, and analysis;
(3) Perform and deliver quality outputs;
(4) Ability to problem-solve using an interdisciplinary approach rather than a single or narrow perspective;
(5) Make, analyze, evaluate and objectively critique reports, proposals, and concept papers;
(6) Ability to explain Buddhism and religion using theory and method from academic disciplines in the social sciences and humanities;
(7) Ability to harness information technology to enhance temple or institutional performance and better manage an organization and its human resources;
(8) Exemplify the values of innovativeness, conscientiousness, fair-mindedness, transparency, sense of responsibility and accountability, honesty, patience, diligence, and risk-taking;
(9) Understand the importance of good interpersonal skills exhibiting good teamwork and leadership qualities;
(10) Observe good citizenship by adhering to legal obligations and ensuring the protection and conservation of the social and natural environment.
Study Plan
PREPARATORY COURSES
9-211-501 Research Methodology for Graduate Studies 3(3-0-6)
9-211-502 English for Graduate Studies 3(3-0-6)
COMPULSORY COURSES (6 credits)
9-212-501 Comparative Religions and Core Concepts in Religious 3(3-0-6)
9-212-502 Buddhist and Globalization 3(3-0-6)
III. ELECTIVE COURSES (18 credits)
9-213-501 Socially Engaged Buddhism 3(3-0-6)
9-213-502 Buddhism and Social Media 3(3-0-6)
9-213-503 Buddhist Ethics 3(3-0-6)
9-213-504 Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health 3(3-0-6)
9-213-505 The Buddhist Temple and Society 3(3-0-6)
9-213-506 Buddhism in Southeast Asia 3(3-0-6)
9-213-507 Independent Studies in Buddhist Studies 3(3-0-6)
THESIS (12 credits)
9-214-501 Thesis 12(0-0-36)