Bridging the Gap between Education and Insight
"Many methods lead to the Path; however, fundamentally there are only two: reason and practice. To enter by reason means to realize the essence through instruction and to trust that all living things share the same true nature...To enter by practice refers to four all-inclusive practices: Experiencing injustice, adapting to conditions, seeking nothing, and practicing the Dharma."
-- "The Wake-Up Sermon of Bodhidharma" (Translation by Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma) Buddha Dharma University traces its roots to 1973 when Venerable Dr. Thich Thien-An founded the American University of Oriental Studies, which was conceived with the specified purpose of offering Western style seminary training to Buddhist monastics from around the world -- without neglecting the inherent experiential nature of Buddhist monastic training. Throughout the 1970s, the American University of Oriental Studies became known as a haven for interfaith seekers and hands-on practitioners of disciplines ranging from Acupuncture to Zen. Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An passed away in 1980. But his unique vision continues at Buddha Dharma University, one of the few Buddhist institutions in the world to make full use of online distance-education opportunities, providing our students with a convenient, affordable, and unique Buddhist training experience. BDU 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 word traditions, schools and cultures of Buddhism. Programs are therefore taught and mentored by scholars and masters from a variety of traditions, thus taking advantage of America’s unique diversity of Buddhist practice and presentation. BDU provides the opportunity to experience a profound, meaningful and rewarding path to Buddhist scholarship and enlightenment. BDU is 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. Many ordained Buddhist monastics from each of the three major schools of Buddhism (Theravadan, Mahayana and Vajrayana) are involved in guiding the continual process of the refinement, development, and formation of our programs. 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. 
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Aspirations
Events Courses Offered this Quarter Undergraduate School 100 - Liturgical Studies LIT101 - Chanting Practicum One LIT102 - Chanting Practicum Two LIT111 - Meditation Practicum One LIT112 - Meditation Practicum Two 100 - Buddhist Studies BHP121 - The Life of the Buddha BPH122 - Foundational Buddhism BHP123 - Buddhism Beyond Religion 200 - Buddhist Studies BPH214 - Intro to Zen Buddhism BPH216 - Zen Poetry 300 - Buddhist Studies BPH311 - Mirror of Zen 300 - Sūtra Studies SUT321 - Platform Sūtra SUT323 - Diamond Sūtra 400 - Buddhist Studies BPH402 - Compass of Zen 400 - Historical Zen Masters HZM412 - Bodhidharma - the Man, the Myth, the Legend HZM416 - Chán Master Mǎzŭ 400 - Sūtra Studies SUT421 - Perfect Enlightenment Sūtra Graduate School MTH590 - Masters Thesis MTH591 - Advanced Research Methodology MTH592 - Adv. Research and Study of Buddhism MTH597 - Thesis I (Proposal) MTH598 - Thesis II (Material & Format) MTH599 - Thesis III (Oral Defense) DDS690 - Doctoral Dissertation DDS691 - Advanced Research Methodology DDS692 - Adv. Research and Study of Buddhism DDS697 - Dissertation I (Proposal) DDS698 - Dissertation II (Material & Format) DDS699 - Dissertation III (Oral Defense) Next Quarter Begins April 9, 2013 |
Wake Up!
"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."
-- "The Wake-Up Sermon of Bodhidharma" (Translation by Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma)
-- "The Wake-Up Sermon of Bodhidharma" (Translation by Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma)
