Introduction

Masters in Buddhist Studies (MBS) is a 60 Credit Hour Degree course in code of theoretical and practical instruction. This syllabus is basics of religious studies that include Buddhist history, religion, philosophy, literature, art, iconography, architecture, archaeology, script and knowledge of World religions and Asian Buddhist Traditions, Methods of Research, tourism, practice, field study. It provides students the knowledge on Buddhism of Nepal and Nepal Mandala for its traditions in practice of the world plus interdisciplinary approach in study.

This course offers multi-dimensional choice in mentioned areas of liturgics, religious textual studies. It explores Buddhist tradition of the Himalayas, Nepala Mandala, and Buddhist Archaeological sites of Nepal from cultural perspectives.

It presents the world’s diverse Buddhist traditions of Sravakayāna, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna, delving into their socio-religious contexts across four semesters. This curriculum ignites students' understanding of Buddhism, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge.

Eligibility for Admission to MBS in CDoBS, TU

 Admission to Master in Buddhist Studies (MBS) is open to all students from any discipline having passed Bachelor Degree program or its equivalent from any recognized universities.

Admission Procedures:

Students will have to pass written entrance test for admission conducted by TU’s Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s office in merit basis.

Entrance Examination:

Applicants will have to face100 marks one hour written examination of objective type questions for admission in MBS program of CDOBS-TU.

 Duration of the Course and Examinations:

Each course weighs against 100 marks in core subject. Its mark split in 60:40 percent to grade in GPA system. The student must appear in the class test of 40 mark’s internal and 60 Mark’s final examination taken by the University. The internal evaluation will be based on constant monitoring of the supervisor and the teachers using specified tools.

Students who fail in the internal examination will be disqualified to appear in the end term Examination conducted by the University. For internal evaluation, students will be assigned Term Paper, by class teachers on the course content’s basis. Field work practice is essential part of Buddhist Studies so students are required field work of 3 Credit Hours in 4^th semester. Students are evaluated on the basis of their attendance in the class, application of their theoretical knowledge and skills in fieldworks and their reflection.

The supervisors will closely supervise each student allotted to them and guide for field work practice, and provide guidance. The students will be reminded to make financial arrangement during the field work practices; placement, research, block, placement and work camps on their own.

Grading (General Provisions):

Students must be regular in classes with minimum 80 percent of attendance for a course completion with all requisites of assignments, theory and practical work to secure a passing grade. Students will be primarily evaluated using the numerical which will later be replaced in letter grades. The minimum pass mark will be 50 and the passing grade ‘C’.  

Field Work Practicum:

Field work allows MBS students to expand their learning beyond classrooms. The practicum helps them apply the knowledge learned into field skills to create professional connections within the specific areas of interest. Students will be taken for site visits in concerned practical class of the core subject by supervising head and teachers.

Last year students go to Fields:

The 4^th semester students will have to spend in the field. Students of tourism, history, art, architecture, script and archaeology classes may visit the concern sites on their own expenditure on occasional basis. Students will have to face the assignment or write a report after their field visits. It will be graded accordingly.

Field Work Evaluation:

The field work evaluation of the students will be based on following criteria:

(Note: There are 10 criteria x 5 optimum score in each section = 50 x 2 for converting 100 =total obtained marks)

There are ten major a criterion under which sub-criterion needs to be developed for evaluation of students’ field work performance. Calculation of number obtained in each criterion will be multiply by 2 and thus the total will be evaluated in 100 marks. This will be further converted into GPA grading system. For grading refer to the page number 3.

Course Seminar:

Students will be given opportunity to organize series of seminars on trends in Buddhist studies focusing on their academic fields of studies.

The course will introduce students with quantitative and qualitative research methods, with philosophical issues, study design, sampling methods, standardized measures, questionnaire design, proposal writing, data analysis, qualitative and quantitative data of archeological and textual material. Research in Buddhist study is crucial for traditional and modern knowledge for testing and refining professional aptitude and skills.