Course Commencement: 3 Feb 2018 (Sat)
Venue: The Buddhist Library, Level 2 seminar rooms
Fees: FOC, All Singaporeans/PR sangha members are welcome to apply. Maximum 5 slots.
Application details

Buddhist Studies (Post Graduate Diploma/ MA) Scholarship Programme for Sangha

The Buddhist Library Graduate School (a unit of Buddhist Research Society) is offering five postgraduate scholarships annually for Sangha members who are Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PR) pursuing their Post Graduate Diploma or Master’s Degree in Buddhist Studies.

Successful applicants will each receive a monthly allowance of $500 for studying under this programme awarded by University of Kelaniya. Successful applicants for the Post Graduate Diploma may reapply for the Master’s Degree for the following year.

This scholarship programme is in line with The Buddhist Library’s mission in providing a gate-way to Dhamma through education. We welcome all monasteries and Buddhist associations to register your sangha members for this programme.

Objective:

To cultivate higher learning for local sangha members and to groom future Dhamma teachers for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Course Structure and Intake:
1. Post graduate course (Awarded by University of Kelaniya, conducted by Buddhist Library Graduate School)
The course is of the duration of one academic year. The course consists of 5 units:
DBSX01 The Indian Religious Background and the Emergence of Buddhism
DBSX02 Basic Doctrines of Early Buddhism
DBSX03 Buddhist Social Philosophy
DBSX04 Buddhist Culture: An Outline Study
DBSX05 Dissertation

All candidates must complete all four units and submit a dissertation of 3000 words (approx.) within an academic year before sitting for the examination.

All candidates are required to attend at least 75% of all Lectures and Tutorials in order to qualify for the Exams leading to the Postgraduate Diploma in Fundamental Buddhist Studies.

2. Masters of arts in Buddhist studies (Awarded by University of Kelaniya, conducted by Buddhist Library Graduate School)
Course duration is one academic year. The course consists of 6 units:
ME35 – Theravada Traditions: A Historical and Doctrinal Study
Pali 1 – Pali Language
ME01- Buddhist Doctrines of the Pali Nikayas: Analysis and Interpretation
ME06 – Origins of Mahayana and the Earliest Mahayana Sutras
ME23 – Buddhist Art and Architecture II (Sri Lanka)
ME27 – The Social Dimension of Buddhism

All candidates must complete all 6 units and submit a dissertation of 5,000 words (approx.) within an academic year before sitting for the examination.

All candidates are required to attend at least 75% of all Lectures and Tutorials in order to qualify for the Exams leading to the Master of Arts degree in Buddhist Studies.

Application Pre-requisites:

– Singaporean or PR who resides in Singapore only
– Bhikkhu/Bhikkhunī aged 45 and below of any nationality who has interest in conducting academic research in Buddhism.

Requirement:
– Possesses at least a GCE O’levels certificate or equivalent qualifications (English TOEFL (minimum internet-based test score of 80) or IELTS (minimum overall band score of 6 with no subtest lower than 5.5) results. Results are valid for 2 years from the test date) for the Post graduate course.
– Possesses at least a Post graduate diploma in Buddhist studies or equivalent qualifications for the MA Course.
– Healthy, no visible or hidden disabilities (E.g. sleepwalking, epilepsy), and/or infectious diseases.
– Single; no criminal record.

Registration Procedures:

– The closing date for all applications is 31 Jan 2018.
– We are capping it at a maximum of 5 successful candidates for this year.
– Interested parties may download the application form from www.buddhlib.org.sg. Application forms should be completed accordingly and legibly. Please provide a valid contact number and/or email address.

Please submit the completed application form together with the following materials to BCS Registrar’s Office.
a. Two referral letters – one from the applicant’s Master, another from the applicant’s teacher.
b. Photocopy of the latest academic transcript and certificate.
c. Photocopy of Personal Identification card and passport.
d. Three passport-sized, matte-finished photographs (35×45mm) of the applicant’s front profile. Applicants should be dressed in monk’s robes with no headdress, on white background.
e. Medical check-up form (inclusive of blood test, liver test, chest X-ray) from a Government-registered medical institution.

Benefits:

Students will receive