E-Learning Center

E-Learning MA in Buddhist Studies program is delivered to students around the world via an e-learning environment. It will use web based materials, specific readings and electronic interaction on a group and individual basis.

1. Objectives:

• To extend on a world-wide scale the teachings of Buddhism using Internet technology through the borderless barrier-free world-wide-web.
• To meet the needs of students around the world who wish to study in the comfort of their own home.
• To equip students with the necessary research skills to produce independent research.
• To provide students with the opportunity of in-depth Buddhist studies with an understanding of Buddhism from the basis of existing knowledge.

2. About the Program

IBC E-Learning MA program for Buddhist Studies is based on IBC MA Program (36-credits). It is course-based (8 courses, 3 credits per course) with a thesis (about 25,000 words, 12 credits). http://ibc.ac.th/en/graduate. The MA program’s duration is three years. Individual e-tutorials will be available to all students.

The core module consists of eight subjects, an individually supervised thesis of 25,000 words, and one Comprehensive exam at the end of the course.

Prospective students should note that if they join the MA program but are unable to complete the full MA three years' program for any reason, they would only earn:

• The Postgraduate Diploma Certificate after completing the first year (12 credits); and/or
• The Postgraduate Advanced Diploma Certificate after completing the second year (total of 24 credits).

Familiarity with Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism and acquaintance with Buddhist texts or knowledge of the Pali language would be useful.

3. Career Opportunities

Admission into the program is open to graduates whose aim is to develop their personal understanding of Buddhism in an informed academic context. This program is suitable for those involved or planning to be in teaching subjects relating to Buddhism in universities, college and schools. The program is also suitable for those wishing to advance to do a doctorate in Buddhist Studies or related fields and for those involved in running various kinds of Buddhist Centres.
Taking this program will also develop skills of analysis and communication which are of relevance to a wide range of occupations.

4. Entrance Requirements

Applicants should be at least 21 years and have a good first degree or a degree of equivalent standard from any accredited University.
Applicants must have attained a level of proficiency in English language acceptable by the International Buddhist College for admission.
Applicants with Buddhist studies background at postgraduate level would have to demonstrate this. In this case, applicants can take the IBC MA Entrance Examination where the applicant has to obtain a pass in the exam. Student needs to send their BA certificates and other required documents to the IBC administration prior to admission to the program.

5. Course Fees

If you are a student from the existing BA Certificate Course, you are eligible for the waiver of an admission fee of USD100
Fees are USD150 for each credit or USD450 for a 3-credit subject or USD1,800 for a 12 credit thesis to be paid in advance.
Course fees for Malaysian and Thai students are RM200 (Baht 2,000) for each credit or RM600 (Baht 6,000) for a 3-credit subject or RM2,400 (Baht 24,000) for a 12 credit thesis to be paid in advance.

6. Assessment

The MA entrance exams and the assignments of each subject can be conducted on-line at http://ibc.ac.th/exam
For the final exam of each course, students will have to take the exam at an authorized venue, such as the IBC, a chosen Buddhist Centre, or the Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates in any country. Malaysian students  can choose either Than Hsiang Temple in Penang, or Tham Wah Wan Temple in KL.

7. Evaluation

The criteria for evaluation will be awarded with the following grades in the various subjects:
                Letter                Meaning                                                Value
A+                Excellent                                4.00
A                Almost Excellent                                3.75
A-                Fairly Excellent                                3.50
B+                Very Good                      3.25
B                Good                                      3.00
B-                Fairly Good                      2.75
C+                Fair                                         2.50
C                Satisfactory                          2.25
C-                Minimum Satisfactory                2.00
D+                Fairly Poor                        1.50
D                Poor                                        1.00
F                Failure                                    0.0
R                Course repeated later                -
S                Satisfactory                          -
U                Unsatisfactory                     -
W                Withdrawal with Permission
WF                Withdrawal with F
0                Withdrawal from course after time limit
AU                Audit and non-credit
I                 Incomplete, used in case a student fails to complete his/her assignment within the time                 limit or is absent from the examination with approval from IBC due to exceptional                 reasons.
WP/IP                Work in progress
NR                No Report
TR                Transfer Credits

8. Details of Courses

8.1. Abbreviation for Course Subjects

BC                Buddhist Culture
BH                Buddhist History
BL                Buddhist Literature
BT                Buddhist Thought
CB           Chinese Buddhism
PL           Pali Language
RB           Regional Buddhism
SK           Sanskrit Language
ST           Special Topics in Buddhist Studies
TB           Tibetan Buddhism

8.2.  Core Courses (total of 9 credits)

i.  Buddhist Thought

BT6101	Theravāda Buddhism	3 (3-0-6)
BT6102	Mahāyāna Buddhism	3 (3-0-6)

• Buddhist History

BH6103

History of Indian Buddhism

3 (3-0-6)

8.3. Elective Courses

8.3.1. Buddhist Thought

BT6205	A survey of the Doctrines of Abhidharma Schools	3 (3-0-6)
BT6211	Abhidharma Doctrines and Controversies	3 (3-0-6)
BT6212	Ālāya-vijñāna:  The Yogācāra doctrine of the ‘Store-consciousness’	3 (3-0-6)
BT6213	The Śūnyatā Doctrine in Nāgārjuna’s Mūla-madhyamaka- kārikā	3 (3-0-6)

8.3.2. Buddhist Canonical Language

PL6207	Readings in Pāli Texts	3 (3-0-6)
SK6216	Readings in Buddhist Sanskrit Texts (Introductory)	3 (3-0-6)

8.3.3. Buddhist Literature

BL6204	Pāli Literature	3 (3-0-6)
BL6209	Mahāyāna Buddhist Literature	3 (3-0-6)

8.3.4. Regional Buddhism

RB6214	Buddhism in  Contemporary Thailand	3 (3-0-6)
CB6215	Chinese Buddhist Thought: A Historical Perspective	3 (3-0-6)
TB6217	Lam Rin Chen Mo: The Path to Enlightenment in the Tibetan Tradition	3 (3-0-6)

8.3.5. Buddhist Culture

BC6208

Buddhism and Society

3 (3-0-6)

8.3.6. Special Topics in Buddhist Studies

ST6206	Special topics in Buddhist studies (1)	3 (3-0-6)
ST6210	Special topics in Buddhist studies (2)	3 (3-0-6)
ST6220	Special topics in Buddhist studies (3)	3 (3-0-6)

Note:  Not all the elective courses listed above and below will necessarily be offered each year. 

8.4. Thesis                                      

BT6322

Thesis

12

9. Study Program Plan

9.1. First Year (12 Credits)

A.   Core courses
BT6101	Theravāda Buddhism	3 (3-0-6)
BT6102	Mahāyāna Buddhism	3 (3-0-6)
B.  Elective courses
BC6208	Buddhism and Society	3 (3-0-6)
BT6205	A survey of the Doctrines of Abhidharma Schools	3 (3-0-6)

9.2.  Second Year (12 Credits)

A.  Core courses
BH6103	History of Indian Buddhism	3 (3-0-6)
B.  Elective courses
CB6215	Chinese Buddhist Thought: A Historical Perspective	3 (3-0-6)
TB6217	Lam Rin Chen Mo: The Path to Enlightenment in the Tibetan Tradition	3 (3-0-6)
CB6219	The Ch’an (Dhyāna) School – A Historical Survey	3 (3-0-6)

9.3. Third Year (12 Credits)

Thesis (IBC Regular MA Program Plan II: Thesis Based)

BT6322

Thesis

12

10.  Course Description

I. Core Courses

BT6101/ME6101. Theravāda Buddhism  (3 credits) (3-0-6)

The Buddha’s teachings recorded in the Pāli literature will be the main focus on this study. Attention is drawn to the definition of Theravāda Buddhism and the differences existing between Theravāda Buddhism and Early Buddhism, Early Buddhism and Pāli Buddhism. Candidates are expected to study the basic concepts of Theravāda Buddhism in comparison with the concepts of early Indian culture. The following concepts will be studied in detail: Buddha, Bodhisatta, Arahanta, Gods, Four Noble Truths, Dependent origination, Kamma and rebirth, Five Aggregates and twelve bases, cosmology, cultivation (bhāvanā) of mind and spiritual faculties.

BT6102/ME6102. Mahāyāna Buddhism  (3 credits) (3-0-6)

This course aims at students without any previous knowledge of Mahāyāna Buddhism. It provides an introduction to Mahāyāna Buddhism in the widest sense. After a brief look at the development of Buddhism in India after the death of the Buddha, this course concentrates on the historical, philosophical and religious origins of Mahāyāna Buddhism in India. These include the Bodhisattva ideal; Buddhological developments; the philosophical systematizations of the Mādhyamaka and Yogācāra schools; the reasons for the dominant position of Mahāyāna Buddhism in China and an investigation on the features of the newly emerged Mahāyāna modernism (i.e., Japanese Buddhism).

BH6103/ME6103.  History of Indian Buddhism (3 credits) (3-0-6)

The course gives a comprehensive coverage of Indian Buddhism from its origin to the decline and disappearance of Buddhism in India, with focus on the Nikāya Buddhism, the rising of Mahāyāna and its significance in the development of Chinese Buddhism.

II.  Elective Courses

BT6205/ME6205.  A Survey of the Doctrines of the Abhidharma Schools  (3 credits) (3-0-6)

The period of Abhidharma Buddhism is of great importance for a proper perspective of the development of Indian Buddhism in general. It was essentially in this period that Buddhist ‘philosophy’ first evolved. Traditionally, there were said to be eighteen Abhidharma schools, sometimes also referred to as the Hīnayāna schools. This course will begin with an outline of the historical evolution of these schools, highlighting the doctrinal controversies that led to the schism at different schools. This will be followed by a survey of the fundamental doctrines of the more important schools in the northern tradition, particularly the Sarvāstivāda, the Sautrāntika, the Mahāsaā9ghika and the Sā9mitīya.

ST6206/ME6206. Special topics in Buddhist studies (1) (3 credits) (3-0-6)

This course is offered from time to time. Students should consult the Graduate School of Buddhist Studies on the content of the course on offer.

BC6208/ME6208.  Buddhism and Society (3 credits) (3-0-6)

This course concentrates on the various aspects of Buddhist social philosophy and its historical development. It consists of various topics, such as the twofold process of society (origin and dissolution), the Buddha and society, the Buddhist stratification of society, social implication of the five precepts, Buddhist perspectives on morality, ethics and economics, Buddhism and peace, the environment, and human rights.

ST6210/ME6210. Special topics in Buddhist studies (2) (3 credits) (3-0-6)

This course is offered from time to time. Students should consult the Graduate School of Buddhist Studies on the content of the course on offer.

CB6215/ME6215.  Chinese Buddhist Thought: A Historical Perspective (3 credits) (3-0-6)

This course examines the Chinese development and interpretation of Buddhist thought in a historical perspective, with a special emphasis on the teachings and practices. The major figures and their contributions to the formation and development of schools, important and influential sūtras and the cults of important divinities will also be examined.

TB6217.  Lam Rin Chen Mo:  The Path to Enlightenment in the Tibetan Tradition (3 credits) (3-0-6)

In all Tibetan Buddhist schools – Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug – practices are basically classified into Sūtra and Mantra paths. All four schools have instructive literature to both Sūtra and Mantra. The present course will survey the most elaborate Guide on Sūtra: Lam rim Chen mo (“A Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path”) produced by the founder of the Gelug School, Tsongkhapa Lobsan Drakpa (1357-1419), with references to the corresponding literature of other schools. This text covers practices for 3 scopes of persons (lesser, middling and great) in 3 parts, and separately treats shamātha and vipashyana.

CB6219 The Ch’an (Dhyāna) School – A Historical Survey

This course is a historical survey of the Ch’an (Dhyāna) school of Chinese Buddhism, one of the most influential Buddhist schools in China.  The survey includes the most important periods in the development of this school, such as the introduction of Patriarch Ch’an into China for the first time, the establishment of Patriarch Ch’an as a separate School, and the divisions of Patriarch Ch’an over time. It will also outline the special features of the Patriarch Ch’an of each different major sub-school or lineage. Representative Ch’an masters or Patriarchs (including their biography, doctrines, method of teaching, influences etc.) of each important period will be discussed with reference to the historical background.

ST6220. Special topic in Buddhist studies (3) (3 credits) (3-0-6)

This course is offered from time to time. Students should consult the Graduate School of Buddhist Studies on the content of the course on offer.

III.  Thesis Report

BT6322C/ME6322.Thesis (12 credits)

Thesis of about 25,000 words approved and supervised.