Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies 2024

Awarded by University of Kelaniya
Conducted by Buddhist Library Graduate School

○ Overview
○ Course Structure and Modules
○ Schedule
○ Faculty
○ Pre-requisites
○ Registration
○ Course Preview and Further Enquiries

Overview

The Master of Arts degree in Buddhist Studies is an external programme with the University of Kelaniya Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies in Sri Lanka. It is conducted by the Buddhist Library Graduate School in Singapore.

This programme is an avenue for interested participants to deepen their understanding of Buddhism, and it also enables candidates to pursue further graduate courses leading to a PhD in Buddhist Studies. The course is targeted at graduate students with a good first degree in Buddhist Studies or Postgraduate Diploma in Buddhist Studies.

Course Structure and Modules

The course’s duration is one year, split Into three terms of approximately 10 weeks. Seven modules will be taught:

  • MABS1: Buddhist Doctrines of the Pali Nikayas: Analysis and Interpretation
  • MABS26: Buddhist Psychotherapy
  • MABS27: Buddhist Social Dimension
  • MABS33: Buddhist Economic Philosophy
  • MABS40: Buddhist Philosophy of Education and Communication
  • MABS72: Research Methodology and Extended Essay (approx. 5000 words)
  • MABS73: Introduction to Pali Language

University of Kelaniya’s description of the course modules can be downloaded here.

All students are required to attend 70% of classes. As a further grace toward students, non-attendance due to medical reasons, work and overseas travel will not count toward absences.

Schedule

Please view the schedule here. In summary, classes will meet twice a week in Term 1, and thrice a week in Terms 2 and 3. The schedule document also includes class timings and venue, and dates for submission of dissertation and examinations.

Faculty

Venerable Dr. Wiloye Wimalajothi

  • Resident Monk of Buddhist Library
  • Ph. D., MA, BA (Special); Former Assistant Lecturer of Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya

Venerable Viharagala Paññāloka

  • Resident Monk of Buddhist Library (Designate)
  • Department Coordinator and Lecturer in Buddhist Studies, International Buddhist Academy, Pallekele, Sri Lanka (until Dec 2023)

Dr. Rathnasiri Rathnayaka

  • Senior Lecturer and Head, Department of Buddhist Thought, Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies (PGIPBS), University of Kelaniya

Prof. Wasantha Priyadarshana

  • Professor of Buddhist Culture, PGIPBS
  • Visiting Professor of Buddhist Psychology, Sitagū Ketumati Buddhist Academy, Taungou, Myanmar & Malaysian Buddhist Academy

Pre-requisities

  • A bachelor’s degree in any field

Registration

  • Registration Fee: S$100 (non-refundable) | Tuition Fee S$3,600
  • Registration is now closed. Please visit our website around Sep 2024 to see what Postgraduate programmes will be offered in 2025.

Course Preview and Further Enquiries

A 2nd course preview was held on Tue 6 Feb 2024 to share more about the programme, and all four faculty plan were present.

You can listen to an audio recording of the course preview here.