Studying Buddhism with Gautam Buddha University

Recently, the president of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee had addressed the closing commemoration of an International symposium on 'Buddhism in the 21st century – perspectives and responses to Global challenges and crisis'. The president had stated about the presence of violence in each and every part of the world and tried to gain the attention of listeners towards finding the means to stop any kind of barbarism and ferocity. He emphasized over the perpetual relevance of the philosophy of Buddhism in the life of the people.

The philosophy of Buddhism had influenced many great personalities like Ashoka, Mahatma Gandhi and to name a few and still retain a deep influence on the human civilization. The ancient Nalanda university had been the famous learning center of Buddhism which had attracted many mighty minds. There is still more left to discover about Buddhism and Gautam Buddha University is one of the finest institutions in India that offers the opportunity to explore more on the Buddhism.

Gautam Buddha University is located in the Noida district of Uttar Pradesh. Is was established by the Uttar Pradesh Gautam Buddha University Act 2002. It aims to incorporate and seek the best practices in learning and teaching from around the world. The School of Buddhist Studies and Civilization under the Gautam Buddha university facilitates the doctoral degree in Buddhist Languages and Literatures and Buddhist civilization and culture. The duration of the Ph.D. course is 3 years, which is divided into 6 semesters.

Though, entry into this doctoral programme is made upon the successful completion of M.A degree in Buddhist language, civilization, literature and culture but, in the School of Buddhist Studies and Civilization the eligibility criteria to obtain Ph.D. degree is minimum 55% for Gen/OBCs and minimum 50% for SC/STs in a postgraduate degree. The final admissions will be based on the merit list.

The initiatives of the Gautam Buddha University will go a long way in popularizing the tenets of Buddhism. The course will help the coming generation irrespective of their academic specialization to easily connect with the supreme ideals of compassion, discipline, humanity and forbearance. Once these morals are imbibed by more and more engineers, leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs their work will reflect on the process of national building. The Buddhist learning will make our scholars build better ties with the east nations so as to formalize the 'Act East Policy' initiated by the Government of India.