O U R A S P I R A T I O N
Bridging the Gap between Education and Awakening
Buddha Dharma University, the seminary of the Five Mountain Zen Order, is a unique institution of higher learning that focuses on continually forging opportunities to experience a contemporary, in-depth and non-sectarian study of Buddhism, while also promoting the knowledge and understanding of the various traditions, schools and cultures of Buddhism.
Programs are taught and mentored by scholars and masters from a variety of traditions, which takes advantage of America’s unique diversity of Buddhist practice and presentation. We are both a seminary and a general Buddhist teaching center, and participation with the Five Mountain Order is not a prerequisite.
Buddha Dharma University provides the opportunity to experience a profound, meaningful and rewarding path towards Buddhist scholarship and awakening.
We are staffed by Buddhists (including monastics as well as married, ordained clergy) from many diverse walks of life, each willing, qualified, and happily able to guide students along the Buddhist scholastic path. Our mentors are all volunteers, they dedicate their time to helping others in accord with the Bodhisattva Vow in order to keep our tuition to a minimum. Many ordained Buddhist monastics from each of the three major schools of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana) are involved in guiding the continual process of the refinement, development, and formation of our programs. We seek to build a bridge between the isolated silos of Buddhism which have evolved since our original Asian founders have passed on.
If you believe Buddha Dharma University is right for you, we encourage you to apply. If you are accepted, and become one of our students, please come with a Beginner's Mind: willing to learn...and dedicated to seeing the Dharma unfold in your own life.
Programs are taught and mentored by scholars and masters from a variety of traditions, which takes advantage of America’s unique diversity of Buddhist practice and presentation. We are both a seminary and a general Buddhist teaching center, and participation with the Five Mountain Order is not a prerequisite.
Buddha Dharma University provides the opportunity to experience a profound, meaningful and rewarding path towards Buddhist scholarship and awakening.
We are staffed by Buddhists (including monastics as well as married, ordained clergy) from many diverse walks of life, each willing, qualified, and happily able to guide students along the Buddhist scholastic path. Our mentors are all volunteers, they dedicate their time to helping others in accord with the Bodhisattva Vow in order to keep our tuition to a minimum. Many ordained Buddhist monastics from each of the three major schools of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana) are involved in guiding the continual process of the refinement, development, and formation of our programs. We seek to build a bridge between the isolated silos of Buddhism which have evolved since our original Asian founders have passed on.
If you believe Buddha Dharma University is right for you, we encourage you to apply. If you are accepted, and become one of our students, please come with a Beginner's Mind: willing to learn...and dedicated to seeing the Dharma unfold in your own life.
O U R D I R E C T I O N
The Great Way
"Many approaches lead to the Dao; however, essentially there are only two: thinking and experiencing. To arrive by thought means to understand the essence through instruction and to trust that all living things share the same true nature...To enter by experience refers to four all-embracing practices: undergoing injustice, adapting to conditions, seeking nothing, and practicing the Dharma." |
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Service to our Student Body
We have graduated many students since 2008, yet none were offered participation in a formal commencement ceremony. As of December 2015, the Board of Regents has committed to offering one formal Commencement Exercise each year. As our coursework expands and our reach to students continues we are constantly striving for improvements in our service to our academic community.
We encourage our students to attend our local retreats and sangha weekends, although we realize that it isn't possible for all of our students. Therefore, for our students who cannot travel we will offer on-line "Beyond Walls Precepts Ceremonies" and "Beyond Walls Commencement Ceremonies" for the participants as well as the Graduates from Buddha Dharma University.
We have graduated many students since 2008, yet none were offered participation in a formal commencement ceremony. As of December 2015, the Board of Regents has committed to offering one formal Commencement Exercise each year. As our coursework expands and our reach to students continues we are constantly striving for improvements in our service to our academic community.
We encourage our students to attend our local retreats and sangha weekends, although we realize that it isn't possible for all of our students. Therefore, for our students who cannot travel we will offer on-line "Beyond Walls Precepts Ceremonies" and "Beyond Walls Commencement Ceremonies" for the participants as well as the Graduates from Buddha Dharma University.
When you are deluded, you are on this shore. When you are aware, you are on the other shore. However, once you know your mind is transparent and you see no appearances, you are beyond delusion and awareness. In addition, once you are beyond delusion and awareness, the other shore does not exist. 
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-- "The Wake-Up Sermon of Bodhidharma" (Translation by Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma)
