Course Overview:
The BA in Buddhist Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to explore the history, philosophy, literature, and culture of Buddhism. This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the teachings of the Buddha, the spread of Buddhism across Asia and the world, and its influence on various cultures. The program also includes the study of Buddhist art, architecture, and modern interpretations of Buddhism in contemporary society.

Duration:

3 years (6 semesters)

Syllabus (Semester-wise)

Semester 1:

1. Introduction to Buddhism

2. Life and Teachings of Buddha

3. History of Early Buddhism

4. Pali Language I

5. English Language Skills

6. Introduction to Indian Philosophy

Semester 2:

1. Buddhist Philosophy: The Four Noble Truths

2. Mahayana and Hinayana Traditions

3. Buddhist Art and Architecture

4. Pali Language II

5. Environmental Studies

6. Elective (Introduction to Sociology or History of Ancient India)

Semester 3:

1. Spread of Buddhism in Asia

2. Buddhist Meditation Practices

3. Tibetan Buddhism

4. Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism

5. Elective (Buddhist Iconography or Buddhist Ethics)

6. Elective (Basic Tibetan or Chinese)

Semester 4:

1. Buddhist Literature: Suttas and Sutras

2. Buddhism and Politics

3. Buddhist Influence on Art and Culture

4. Fieldwork: Visit to Buddhist Sites

5. Elective (Comparative Religious Studies or Psychology of Meditation)

6. Internship in Buddhist Institutions

Semester 5:

1. Buddhism in the Modern World

2. Buddhist Manuscripts and Textual Studies

3. Buddhist Councils and their Impact

4. Research Methodologies in Buddhist Studies

5. Elective (Buddhist Psychology or Conflict Resolution in Buddhism)

6. Project Work

Semester 6:

1. Contemporary Buddhist Movements

2. Buddhist Ethics and Social Issues

3. Comparative Studies: Buddhism and Other World Religions

4. Dissertation or Thesis

5. Internship/Fieldwork

6. Elective (Buddhist Heritage and Tourism or Mindfulness Practices)

Average Fees:

INR 15,000 to 1,00,000 per year depending on the institution.

Exams to Attend:

1. University-specific entrance exams (e.g., Delhi University Entrance Test, Banaras Hindu University Entrance Test, etc.)

2. Personal interviews or written assessments may also be required by some universities.

Ten Most Ranking Institutions Combined Ranking in India:

1. Nalanda University, Bihar

2. University of Delhi, Delhi

3. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi

4. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

5. University of Madras, Chennai

6. Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan

7. University of Mumbai, Mumbai

8. Tibetan University, Sarnath

9. Central University of Tibetan Studies, Varanasi

10. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

Top Ten Institutions in Kerala:

1. Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady

2. University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram

3. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

4. Calicut University, Kozhikode

5. St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam

6. Farook College, Kozhikode

7. Union Christian College, Aluva

8. Loyola College of Social Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram

9. Assumption College, Changanassery

10. Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram