Courses in Buddhist Studies

In accordance with Master Sheng Yen’s wish to encourage the study and practice of Chinese Buddhism, the first year of the bachelor’s degree program in Buddhist studies focuses on laying strong foundations with courses dealing with the monastic community, history and teachings of the Chinese Buddhist tradition. In their second year, students’ courses begin to explore Buddhism’s roots in India. In their third and fourth years, students are exposed to the different Buddhist traditions that have emerged out of Buddhism’s contact with various cultures throughout its history. Beginning in their third year, students start taking courses in the three great Mahāyāna doctrinal systems as well as commence their study of Sanskrit. In addition to taking reading courses in Sanskrit, students in their fourth year may choose to begin study of Tibetan or Pali as well.

General Education

In addition to their training in Buddhist studies, students are required to take general education courses (通識課程) including modern and classical Chinese, English, Japanese, informatics, research methodology or law. The Buddhist Studies undergraduate program’s general education courses also features three unique courses in Dharma Drum’s vision of Protection of the Spiritual Environment (心靈環保), advanced courses in Buddhist informatics (digital humanities), and training in missionary work (弘化).

For more detailed information on the program’s courses for the academic year 2016-2017 please refer to following documents (Chinese only):

• Course list (first year): 2017年學士班課程時間表
• Weekly course schedule (1st semester):
  • Freshmen: 佛學一學生課程時間表
  • Sophomore: 佛學二學生課程時間表
  • Junior: 佛學三學生課程時間表
  • Senior: 佛學四學生課程時間表

Course Map