Who can opt for Buddhist Studies courses?

Students who are interested in gaining deep knowledge about Buddhism can opt for Buddhism Study courses. The students not only get to learn about the theoretical part but also learn about the culture and the practices of Buddhism. Students wanting to gain knowledge about the Buddhism religion, interested in its academic approach, or aiming for a professional career in this field can take up Buddhism Study courses for higher education. The students completing 10+2 in any stream are eligible for the course. The courses offered are Diploma, Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies), Master of Arts (Buddhist Studies) and PhD.

Buddhist Studies Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility for the courses differ as per the level of the course. The general eligibility criteria for the course are as follows:

Eligibility for Diploma courses

The eligibility for these courses is 10 + 2 in any stream. This is a short-term Buddhist Study program and the duration of the course is 1 year.

Eligibility for PG courses

The postgraduate course is called the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies. The eligibility is graduation in any discipline. The courses are of 1 - 2 years duration. On completing this course, students can become practitioners, teachers, mentors or activists and work with the Buddhist community.

**Note: The eligibility for the different courses under Buddhist Studies differs across institutes. Therefore, the students should check the eligibility requirements at the time of applying.

Buddhist Studies Courses

The Study in India partner institutes generally offer Buddhist Studies courses in 2 levels namely- Diploma and PG. The choice of courses depend on students and eligibility set by different institutes.

Diploma

The Diploma in Buddhist Studies course is of 1 year. The students learn about Buddhist Economics and the language sources of Buddhism like Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan and more. The courses teach the students theory and also the culture and practices of Buddhism.

PG level

The duration of the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies is 1 - 2 years. Students aiming to make a career in this field can take up this course. It prepares the students to become practitioners, teachers, mentors or activists who work with Buddhist communities.

Buddhist Studies Branches

The branches offered under the Buddhist Studies in India are:

The Study in India partner institutes provide science courses across many areas of specialisation. A comprehensive list of science branches is mentioned below in the table. Students wishing to pursue higher education in Science in India should apply to Study in India Programme.

Pali

The word ‘Pali’ in Sanskrit means ‘a line, a row or series’. This is the language in which the scriptures of the Theravada school of Buddhism have been written and are passed on. The study of Buddhism involves understanding the basics through vocabulary and grammar. The students learn the different aspects of the Pali language like drama, fiction, literary history, and more.

Prakrit

The word Prakrit denotes a group of Middle Indo-Aryan languages. These languages were used in India between the 3rd century BCE and the 8th century BCE. This Buddhism Study branch involves understanding the different features of the Prakrit dialects. The students are taught how to understand these languages by using tools like grammar and dictionary.

Buddhist Studies Subjects & Syllabus

The courses include the studies of the Buddhist ideas, texts, inscriptions, arts and values. The syllabus covered at the different levels are:

Diploma

• Concepts in Religious studies
• Introduction to Buddhism
• Discovery of Buddhism philosophy
• Buddhist Sanskrit
• Pali

PG Level:

• Pali language
• Tibetan language
• Buddhist ethics
• Introduction to Buddhist philosophy
• History of Buddhism
• Sutta literature

Admission process for Buddhist Studies courses in India

The students aspiring to make a career in Buddhist Studies can pursue the courses across three disciplines by applying. The step-by-step process to apply is:

The students can find a detailed explanation for filling out the Application here.

Most Popular Courses in Buddhist Studies

Students who want to broaden their knowledge about Buddhism Study can begin with the Diploma courses. To get in-depth knowledge about Buddhism the students can go for the Buddhist studies graduate programs and PhD courses. In the courses the students are taught about Buddhism and its text, inscriptions, art and values. On completing the degree courses, students can make a career as a practitioner, teacher, mentor, researcher or become an activist with the Buddhist missionary. They can also make a career by imparting knowledge in Buddhist institutes. As per the trend in the last couple of years, the most popular Buddhism Study courses are as follows:

Popular Buddhist Studies UG courses in India

The Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies is one of the popular UG courses. The course duration is 3 years. The students learn about the Buddhism religion and language sources of Buddhism like Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan. The students will get deep knowledge about the Buddhism religion. The study of Buddhism involves learning its text, values, art and inscriptions and the social, historical and cultural context in different parts of the world. Upon completing the course, students can make a career as a researcher or teach in Buddhist institutes or in Buddhist missionaries.

**Note: Students may find UG Buddhist Studies under Vocational discipline on the SII website.

Popular Buddhist Studies PG courses in India

The Master degree is one of the most popular PG courses. The course duration is 1 - 2 years. The eligibility is graduation in any stream. The students will be able to gain in-depth knowledge about Buddhism. They learn about its beliefs and values. On completing the Master in Buddhist Studies course the students can pursue a career as a teacher, mentor, or practitioner. They can also make a career by imparting knowledge to Buddhist institutes and missionaries. They can choose to be an activist who works with Buddhist missionaries.

**Note: Before applying for the courses, the students must confirm if the concerned Buddhist Studies course of their choice is offered in the current academic year or not.

Career Options in Buddhist Studies

The students who take up and complete the diploma courses in the field of Buddhism study and degree courses like Masters in Buddhism Study can make a career as follows

Buddhist Studies: Frequently Asked Questions.

1. Why take up Buddhist Studies in India?

You should take up Buddhist Studies in India as it is the birthplace of Buddhism and has been a crucial part of India’s heritage. It is an interdisciplinary field that involves the study of Buddhist Economics and language sources of Buddhism (such as Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan, etc)

2. What is the eligibility criteria to take admission in a Buddhist Studies course?

The Study in India Programme provides Buddhist Studies at the postgraduate level (post-graduate diploma and M.A) only and the eligibility to take admission is the completion of an undergraduate degree in Buddhism Studies. However, you are advised to check the specific eligibility criteria for different Buddhist Studies courses at the time of applying.

3. What is taught under a Master in Buddhist Studies?

Students opting for Masters in Buddhist Studies are taught about the historic, cultural and social elements of Buddhist texts and culture. Generally, the following subjects are taught under MA Buddhist Studies:

• Pali language elementary courses
• Tibetan language
• Buddhist Ethics
• Introduction to early Buddhist philosophy and literature
• Life and teachings of Buddha
• History of Buddhism
• Later History of Buddhism
• Sutta Literature
• Women in Buddhism
• Buddhist Rites and Rituals, etc

4. What will a MA in Buddhist Studies prepare students for?

A post-graduate degree in Buddhist Studies prepares students to become practitioners/teachers/mentors or activists to work with Buddhist communities. Moreover, students may also choose to pursue PhD (doctoral degree) after completing their Masters in Buddhist Studies.

5. What are the career prospects after completing a degree in Buddhist Studies?

Some of the career prospects after completing a degree in Buddhist Studies:

• Teacher/ Mentor
• Activist / Librarian
• Social Worker
• Cultural Administrator
• News Analyst
• Peace Activist

6. Why choose Buddhist Studies?

Buddhist Studies is not just about learning the theoretical part but it lets you explore the culture and practices of Buddhism. As a discipline, it promotes and teaches knowledge, empathy, self-discipline, love and compassion.

7. Can a student from any background pursue a course in Buddhist Studies?

Yes, any student who is interested in gaining deep knowledge in Buddhism study can pursue a course in Buddhist Studies.

8. Who all can pursue a degree in Buddhist Studies?

All the students who wish to broaden their knowledge of Buddhism religion and want to get introduced to its academic approach can pursue a Buddhist Studies course. Moreover, students willing to explore a professional career in the field of Buddhist studies can also choose Buddhist Studies for their higher education.

9. Are there any short term or diploma courses available for Buddhist Studies? (To be checked once courses are added)

Yes, there are diploma courses available for Buddhist Studies.

10. What are the programme levels available in Buddhist Studies courses?

There are two programme levels available in Buddhist Studies courses namely, Diploma (with a duration of one year) and Postgraduate (with a duration of one-two years).

11. Are there any branches/subjects under Buddhist Studies?

There are mainly two branches/subjects provided by Study in India partner institutes under Buddhist Studies, namely Pali and Prakrit.