Everything You Need to Know About Buddhist Studies in India
Buddhist studies in India | Image Resource: arunachaluniversity.ac.in
Buddhist Studies involves examining Buddhism from the perspectives of philosophy, sociology, philology, religious studies, history, and cultural studies. Since 1979, this field has gained recognition for the educational excellence of its approach to contrasting Buddhist theory and practice.
Buddhist studies include learning Buddhist sources in different languages like Japanese, Tibetan, Pali, or Chinese, as well as researching Buddhist ideas, texts, artifacts, inscriptions, and values.
Know What Buddhist Studies in India Include?
Examining Buddhist ideas and practices in the context of different philosophical, as well as religious systems is a major focus of Buddhist Studies in India. The evolution of Buddhist traditions is investigated within larger cultural, social, and historical contexts using novel and interdisciplinary subjects. You learn critical thinking skills apart from exploring the larger cultural and historical contexts of Buddhism in other Asian regions.
Further, researching Buddhism academically entails looking at archaeological and textual sources as well as analyzing various yoga traditions from the past to the present from a philosophical and historical perspective.
What Are the Courses Available in Buddhist Studies?
Numerous academic institutions in India offer courses in Buddhism. Some of the major ones include:
Diploma Program in Buddhist Studies
The dual-semester Diploma Course in Buddhist Studies will take a year to complete. There are eight courses available, and some universities and colleges allow students to opt for these courses as electives with any course they choose.
Students will have an in-depth understanding of the Buddhist Sanskrit language, Buddhism, and its literature through class lectures, small-group discussions, and seminars. Their understanding and subject knowledge of Buddhism are assessed through their performance in different tasks like group discussions, assignments, essay writing, conceptual debates, tutorial writing, written exams, and seminar presentations.
This diploma program is open to students who have completed their higher secondary education.
Master's Degree in Buddhist Studies
Students who want to undergo a postgraduate degree in Buddhist Studies learn a great deal about Buddhism and how it has affected society around the globe. The course's main emphasis is on confidence, which includes its supportable context, position in contemporary society, and long-term growth. Given that religion is a fundamental aspect of many societies, students may also take into account dialects that are usually related to the religion, such as Mandarin, Sanskrit, Nepali, Japanese, and Korean.
You will generally take two to three years to complete a postgraduate degree in Buddhist Studies in India, with the completion of a proposal as the capstone project. Students deepen their knowledge of their field and acquire the academic skills required for the two-year program.