department of buddhist studies

MAGADH UNIVERSITY
BODH GAYA (BIHAR) 824234
INDIA
DEPARTMENTAL
PROFILE
OF
BUDDHIST STUDIES
DEPARTMENT OF BUDDHIST STUDIES
(PROFILE OF THE DEPARTMENT)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Buddhist Studies Department was established in
Magadh University at the request of Maha Bodhi Temple
Advisory Board in 1984, keeping in mind the international
importance of Bodh Gaya, the land of Buddha’s
Enlightenment. This request was further activated by the
then Chancellor, His Excellency Dr. A. R. Kidwai and the
active co-operation of the Vice-Chancellor Hon’ble F.
Ahmad. This visionary zeal found an outlet in the form of
establishment of this department as a perenial source of
inspiration to the Buddhist World.
Initially, it was managed and maintained
by the teachers of Ancient Indian and Asian
Studies for a long period. The University Grants
Commission accorded recognition to this
department in 2003, but no further actions
were taken to develop this department as a
separate unit. In 2006 Mr. Baswan, Principal
Secretary, H. R. D. Govt. of India visited Magadh
University, specially to see the development of
this department. Due to his kind initiatives
some posts were sanctioned.
IMPORTANCE
Importance of this department lies in the fact
that besides Indians, students are coming from
Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam,
Laos, Tibet, Japan and Brazil. They feel pleasure
in geting themselves enrolled in Buddhist
Studies Department for Post Graduate Studies
and Research. Buddhist Students treat it more as
temple of learning at par with the shades of the
Bodhi tree than as a simple institution.
OBJECTIVES
A holistic view can only
improve existing status. Bodh Gaya is
known to the world on account of
the Buddha’s place of enlightenment
and is then a centre of Pilgrimage
and the Dept. of Buddhist Studies
serve the purpose of mental,
philosophical and spiritual needs of
the learners. The teachings here
impart historical, philosophical as
well as spiritual pursuits to the
aspirants
FORMER HEADS
Dr. Upendra Thakur was the
founder Head of the Department
and then Dr. A. Tulku took the
charge of the Department as
HOD. Dr. Upendra Thakur headed
the Department for 25 years and
his successor Dr. A. Tulku served it
for several years. Dr. S. K. Singh is
serving the department as Head
for the last four years.
Present Head
Dr. S. K. Singh.
(Professor & Head)
FACULTY :-
1
• Dr. S. K. Singh.
(Professor & Head)
2
• Dr. Vishnu Shankar.
Part Time Asst. Prof.
3
• Dr. Alakh Niranjan Prasad
Part Time Asst. Prof
GUEST FACULTY :-
1
• Dr. Ram Swarup Singh
2
• Dr. Kailash Prasad
3
• Mrs. Saw Htut Sandar
NON-TEACHING STAFF :-
1
• Sri. Vivek Singh
2
• Sri Sita Ram - Peon
TYPE OF COURSES :1
• M. A. – Semester System
2
• Ph. D. Course Work started
as per U.G.C. Guide Line.
NO. OF STUDENTS IN LAST Three YEARS
Year
2012-14
2013-15
2014-16
P.G. Course(Semester)
097
106
119
BUILDING :
In the year 2009 U. G. C. Team visited our Department and
suggested to take co-operation from the Buddhist Monasteries
of Bodh Gaya for the development of Buddhist Studies. We
took the suggestion seriously and with their help we have
constructed a separate building for Buddhist Studies
Department.
Department runs in its own building in the campus
Total area of the Department – 5200 sq.ft.
Class room – 2
Independent room – Teachers are availing
separate rooms
Library and Seminar Hall, Meditation Hall
Conference Hall, Two Class rooms, Store room,
Teachers Meeting room, Girls Common Room
BOOKS AND JOURNALS
Seminar Library – 2726
National Journals – 35
International Journals – 15
EQUIPMENTS :PROJECTOR,
COMPUTER
FREEZE
ETC
CONFERENCE / SEMINAR :DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED BUDDHIST CONFERENCE
SPONSRED BY THE STATE GOVT. IN THE YEAR 1998
AT BUDDHA MAHOTSAVA
DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED THE NATIONAL
CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY UGC 2012
Department organizes seminars, symposia and
other co-curricular activities regularly.
:UGC GRANT ONLY
ISSUE :Keeping in mind the requirements of foreign
students, an international Hostel is a must in
the campus
To highlight and explore the Buddhist Sites
around Magadh Range we need financial
co-operation.
Keeping in mind the importance of Buddhism &
Bodh Gaya, teaching of Buddhist Studies should
be started in Under Graduate.