Background of Faculty of Buddhism 

              King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) established the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in 1887 (B.E. 2430), located at Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit. At the first time, His Majesty the King gave the name, "Mahathat College". Mahathat College first opened in 1889 (B.E. 2432). Later, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn gave a new name, "Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University" on 13^th September 1896 (B.E. 2439) with the intention to be used as the school for Tipitaka studies as well as advanced subjects for monks, novices, and laypeople.

In order to carry on the intention of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), on 9^th January 1947 (B.E. 2490), Phra Bimaladhamma (Choi Thanadatta Mahathera) the 15^th abbot of Wat Mahadhatu led a meeting of 57 monks with the aim of upgrading the Tipitaka studies and higher education to the university level. From this meeting, the faculty of Buddhism was established on 18^th July 1947 (B.E. 2490) as MCU’s first faculty and first Bachelor Degree program.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) put the signature and announced in the Government Gazette on 1^st October 1997 (B.E. 2540), therefore, the university had the legal name as "Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University".

For over 60 years of higher education, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University has produced graduates according to the mission, emphasizing academic excellence in Buddhism and providing academic services to society. As the university produces quality graduates to serve society, the nation, and religion, the government, therefore, proposed the Parliament to enact the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Act 1997 (B.E. 2540) as a state university.

Faculty of Buddhism was the first faculty of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University providing the Tipitaka studies and higher education in the university level, with an emphasis on the Pali language, Buddhism, religions and philosophy. Firstly, the faculty’s administration was divided into four departments:

1) Department of Pali Language;

2) Department of Buddhism;

3) Department of Religions and Philosophy;

4) Department of Indology.

Objectives

1) To develop and allow the Faculty of Buddhism and its personnel to operate according to the missions of the university which are to produce quality graduates, to conduct research and development, to promote Buddhism and serve academic service to society, and to support and maintain art and culture.

2) To develop the quality of students and equip them with all-round knowledge, capability, ethical values, devotion for Buddhism, including the responsibility of self, society, and Buddhism.

3) To develop the Faculty of Buddhism as a center for learning Buddhism, Philosophy, and Pali and Sanskrit.

4) To respond to the policies of the Supreme Sangha Council, Sangha, and the government on operating Buddhist activities.

Current Available Programs: 

Bachelor Degree
- Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
- Bachelor of Arts (Religion)
- Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy)
- Bachelor of Arts (Pali and Sanskrit)
- Bachelor of Arts (Vipassana Meditation)

Master’s Degree
- Master of Arts (Tipitaka Studies)
- Master of Arts (Comparative Religion)

Doctoral Degree
- Doctor of Philosophy (Tipitaka Studies)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Comparative Religion)

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