MASTER’S IN BUDDHISM
Indian school catches on with Asean students
Greater Noida: Suttisa Lappermsap, 39, feels at home in her international research scholar hostel at Gautam Buddha University (GBU). Pursuing an MA at the School on Buddhist Studies & Civilisation, attached to GBU, sponsored by Dhammachai International Research Institute (DIRI), Suttisa, a resident of Patum Thani, does not miss Thailand.
“There are so many cultural similarities between India and Thailand. We got our religion [Buddhism] from India. Back home we too, respect our teachers the way Indians do here. I am completely at ease here,” she enthusiastically pointed out.
Suttisa is among the three Thai students enrolled in different Buddhist studies’ programmes at GBU, which is fast turning into the biggest attraction for Asean students, South Korea and other Buddhist countries in South Asia.
All three Thai students (Phramah Sanchai Racharet and Nattiya Saradum are pursuing doctorates in Buddhist studies) are enrolled in GBU because the state government university has a tie-up with Diri, a group which also has offices in New Zealand and Australia besides Thailand.
Ms Suttisa moved to India from New Zealand last year, while Ms Nattiya came to Greater Noida after completing her post-graduation from Australia in 2013. Phramah moved to GBU after finishing an MA in Buddhist studies from Delhi University.
Dr Arvind Singh, director of international affairs and an assistant professor at the School of Buddhist Studies & Civilisation, says out of 124 students enrolled, more than 90 are from Asean countries. The largest group of students are from Vietnam with 60 monks from various Vietnamese monasteries are learning about the life and times of Gautama Buddha, followed by two dozen from Myanmar, three each from Thailand and Laos, and two from Cambodia. There is one student from South Korea and one from Mongolia, as well.
GBU, spread over 1,265 rai, started the School on Buddhist Studies in 2012. Since then, the number of students from Asean and South Asian countries has risen steadily. From 38 students in 2012, the number rose to 43 in 2013 and 71 in 2014. This year, the number of students from Southeast Asia stands at 68.
According to Dr Singh, though Delhi University, Nalanda University, Banaras Hindu University and Universities of Jammu and Calcutta also run courses on Buddhist studies, GBU is the only university in India where Buddhist studies & civilisation is a separate school and where all undergraduate and post-graduate students are supposed to write a paper on Buddhism.
The undergraduate students, belonging to all eight schools (information technology, engineering, management, humanities & social sciences, biotechnologies, vocational studies & applied science, law, justice & governance and Buddhist studies & civilisation), have to study for a paper on “Buddhist ethics & human values”. Likewise, post-graduate students have to sit for a paper on “Buddhist moral values in contemporary society”.
Dang Cong Tue, a second year MA student, from Cam Ranh city in Khanh Hoa province of Vietnam, says he chose GBU to study Indian culture. “Buddhism was from India so I want to study Indian culture. Besides, there is no conflict between Hinduism and Buddhism,” Mr Tue told Asia Focus.
U Nyanavara, a PhD student from Sitagu International Buddhist Academy in Myanmar, said he would go back to his monastery after learning the ancient language of Pali, and learning about Buddha’s life and times.
“India is Buddha country. It is here that Gautama became Buddha. After completing my studies, I will teach in my monastery,” Nyanavara said. Piyaphon Chantharangsee, a second year MA student from Laos, also expressed similar sentiments.
While a majority of Southeast Asian students return to their monasteries, there are also a few who become guides to their fellow countrymen.
“Many of our students return with groups of Buddhist pilgrims from their country. Since they understand English and a bit of Hindi, they take the pilgrims around,” Dr Singh added.
Boddhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti, Nalanda and Sanchi are some of the major places associated with Gautam Buddha in India. Boddhgaya and Nalanda are in Bihar in the East, while Sarnath, Kushinagar and Sarvasti are part of Uttar Pradesh. Sanchi is in Madhya Pradesh, in Central India.
Many of our students return with groups of Buddhist pilgrims from their country. Since they understand English and a bit of Hindi, they take the pilgrims around”