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Friday 9 May 2025
1. Brief History
In 1887 (B.E. 2430), His Majesty
King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) established the first
Sangha college in Thailand, called ‘Mahadhatu
Witthayalai’, which was located at Wat Mahadhatu in
Bangkok. It was intended to be a place where monks,
novices and laity come to study the Tipiṭaka and higher
education. It officially began providing
education on 8th November 1889 (B.E. 2432). On
13th September 1896 (B.E. 2439), the college was given
a new status and name in relation to His Majesty King Chulalongkorn
as ‘Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University’.
In
1947 (2490), the Most Venerable Phra Bimaladhamma (Choi Thanadatta Mahathera),
the 15th Abbot of Wat Mahadhatu, upgraded the college’s education
system to a university-level by establishing its first faculty of Buddhism. The
college credit-assessment system was also adjusted and modified. Students had
to collect at least 126 credits from their study courses along with conducting
religious activities for one year before they obtain a bachelor degree.
However, the university administration, for the first two decades, had hardly
gained any support from either the Sangha or the Thai government. Despite being
under quite a serious financial difficulty, the university survived its
operation through the testing times.
An essential progress was made in 1984 (B.E. 2527)
when the Thai government issued the Act certifying both those holding the Ninth
Grade of Pāli Studies and those with a bachelor degree from the Sangha
University. From this point onwards, MCU has rapidly developed, from having
only one campus in the year 1984 to nine campuses in 1991 (B.E. 2534).
Furthermore, the Graduate School was established to provide postgraduate
education in 1988 (B.E. 2531).
In 1997 (2540), the Thai Parliament passed the Act
recognizing MCU as a legal entity and the university under the government
supervision. In 1999 (2542), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
executive committee had an audience with His Majesty the King Maha
Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun of Thailand. His Majesty the King
granted the University the title deeds to approximately thirty-three acres at
Lam Sai Sub-district, Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province that had been
donated by Dr. Ratsami and Khun Ying Sompong Wannisson.
Then, on 13th December 1999, His Majesty the King
Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun of Thailand laid the
foundation-stone of the new University main campus at Lam Sai Sub-district,
Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province and, in the following year, the
construction of the new main campus was initiated by the former Rector, Phra
Dharmakosajarn (Currently, Phra Brahmapundit) and the executive committee of
the University. At present, with further acquisition of land, the site consists
of some one hundred and twenty-nine acres.
In 2008 (2551), the University relocated from Wat
Mahadhatu and Wat Si Sudaram, Bangkok to the new main campus at Lam Sai
Sub-district, Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province. In 2010 (2553), the
opening ceremony of the University Main Campus was presided over by His Majesty
the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun of Thailand, at Lam Sai
Sub-district, Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province.
Since the university has received the legal entity
and become the educational institution under the government supervision in 1997
(2540), the educational management of the university has expanded throughout
the country. A number of both home and oversea students registered to study and
now there are 11 campuses, 23 Sangha colleges and 1 extended classroom, 7
academic service units, 1 domestic affiliated institute and 5 international
affiliated institutes.
Currently, the
university is offering the postgraduate education under the supervision of the
Graduate School and the bachelor programs are supervised by the four faculties:
Faculty of Buddhism, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences and International
Buddhist Studies College.
For
social service, the university has the academic service units of the society
such as Abhidhammajotika College, Buddhist Sunday School, Buddhist Research
Institute, Vipassanā Meditation Institute, Language Institute and Dhammaduta
College.
2. The Expansion of Affiliated
Institutes to International Level
On February 23, B.E. 2544 (2001), MCU expanded
education to other countries by accepting 1. Donggook
Buddhist Chonbop College in South Korea as the first affiliated institute. At
present, there are in total of 6 affiliated institutes in Thailand and abroad.
In 2004, MCU recognized Mahapanya Vidayalai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla
Province, and Ching Chueh Buddhist Sangha University, Kaohsiung City, Chinese
Taipei, as the affiliated institutes. Followed by Sri Lanka International Buddhist
Academy (SIBA) as the 4th affiliated institute in 2007, and lastly, the
Dhammagate Buddhist College of Hungary in 2010.
The recognition of universities and colleges from 6
countries as the affiliated institutes considered as the
development of the university to be recognized and accepted by the
international educational organizations resulting in the collaboration with
MCU. Many programs of MCU, therefore, have been adopted to teach to all types
of people, both monks and laypeople, in order to learn Buddhism in more various
aspects.
3. The Establishment of Organization to
Support the University’s Mission of Being an International Center for Buddhist
Studies
3.1) The Establishment of International
Buddhist Studies College (IBSC)
As the university was recognized by Buddhists from
all over the world and in order to accommodate a group of monks and laypeople
from around the world who wanted to study Buddhism, therefore, MCU saw the need
for opening an international program. The present International Buddhist
Studies College (IBSC) was developed from the International Master of Arts
Program (IMAP), which has been operating since 2000 (B.E. 2543). Later, in 2013 (B.E. 2556),
the University Council of MCU approved the setting up of IBSC with the purposes
to carry out Buddhist Studies in an international program.
3.2) The
Establishment of International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU)
The International Association of Buddhist
Universities, IABU, is an international forum for institutes of Buddhist higher
education to network, understand, and benefit from the richness and variety of
the multinational Buddhist traditions. There are already excellent
international organisations which bring Buddhist scholars together; but those
organisations, for example, the IABS and the AAS, bring together Buddhist
scholars only at the individual level. The IABU is the first global forum that
brings entire institutions together. As such, it provides new challenges as
well as opportunities to those involved.
The IABU was formed quite recently, on May 28th,
2007/2550, upon the culmination of the first ever symposium of Buddhist
Universities held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
The symposium was a part of the celebrations at the United Nations Day of
Vesak, organized by MCU and sponsored by the Royal Government of Thailand.
The members of the IABU are institutes of higher
education. All relevant institutions in the world are welcome to join. Some of
those institutes have only one mission: to educate students to understand and practice
the Buddha-Dharma. Others will cover a full range of academic subjects, but all
of them display a significant commitment to Buddhist Studies, and will operate
according to Buddhist values and promote Buddhist principles. Some will bear
the formal title university, and some that of college, Academy, etc. All will
teach Buddhist Studies and have the power to award degrees. However, there is
also a place in the Association for units from within larger bodies. If a
Buddhist Studies Centre is more or less autonomous and can award degrees via
the higher-level institution of which it is part, then it too shall be granted
membership.
The IABU will function mainly through its Executive
Council and International Secretariat. In the near future, the IABU expects to
develop a variety of collaborative efforts-- for instance, members’ recognition
of each other’s qualifications, as well as exchanges in administration,
teaching, research and outreach.
3.3) The Establishment of the
International Council for the Day of Vesak
Arising from the Resolution adopted
by the United Nations Assembly in New York, USA in 1999, the thrice-sacred day
of Vesak – Birth, Enlightenment and Passing away of Sakyamuni Gotama The
Buddha, has been celebrated annually since 2005. The International Organizing
Committee of the United Nations Day of Vesak (hereinafter refer to as “IOC)
formed amongst the representatives of the Buddhist organizations or Centers
from 61 countries organized the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations in
Bangkok, Thailand in 2005, 2006, 2007 under the patronage of the Supreme Sangha
Council and the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Thailand and in Hanoi in
2008, under the patronage of the Sangha Council and the Government of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The members of the Buddhist called
themselves as the International Organizing Committee of the United Nations Day
of Vesak assembled at the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University; Ayutthaya,
Thailand do hereby agree to the formation of the International Council for the
Day of Vesak.
Aims and Objectives
1. Propagate the sublime doctrine of the Buddha.
2. Promote unity, solidarity and brotherhood amongst
Buddhists.
3. Encourage, foster and develop the qualities of
truth, compassion and to practice the Teaching of the Buddha.
4. Internationally recognize and observe the Day of
Vesak, the thrice sacred day commemorating the birth, the enlightenment and the
passing away of the Buddha, as the day of religion and culture.
5. To promote, foster and maintain collaborations between
the different Buddhists traditions, in order to foster and support Buddhist
Culture, Philosophy and Practice for the well-being and happiness of humanity.
6. To organize conferences, workshops and forums to
discuss academic, social and religious issues.
7. To encourage Buddhist academics and scholars to
dialogue and contribute to promotion of Buddhist studies and philosophy.
8. To encourage the practice of Buddha-Dhamma and to
meet the challenges of the world that is faced by humanity.
9. To discuss matters relating to the general
welfare of the World Buddhist Community and to deliberate on the issues this
may arise from time to time.
10. ICDV in affirming its Joint Communiqué
recognizes the fundamental goals of the founding members commits itself to strive
for peace in the world.
11. ICDV will, in cooperation and collaboration with
International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU) organizes
international seminar, forum, symposium to promote unity and solidarity in
order to achieve its Aims and Objectives.
The International Recognition of the Day
of Vesak by the United Nations and Special Consultative
Status of ECOSOC
On 15th December 1999,
representatives from thirty-four countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
Chile, Cyprus, Grenada, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Lao
People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea,
Russian Federation, Seychelles, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand,
Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States of America) proposed to the General
Assembly of the United Nations that the full moon day in the months of May be
recognized and observed at the United Nations Headquarters and the Regional
Office as the United Nations Day of Vesak. The General Assembly of the United
Nations took into consideration the fact that Buddhism is one of the world's
oldest religions and that, for over two and a half millennia, it has made, and
still continues to make, a significant contribution to human spirituality;
therefore, the General Assembly resolved (Agenda item 174 of Session No.
54/115) and, accordingly, the UN Day of Vesak was instituted in the year 2000
with the support of all Buddhist traditions
As a consequence of the UN Resolution designating
the day of international importance, Buddhists from around the world joined in
the establishment of the International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV). Its
secretariat is located at Mahachulalongrajavidyalaya University in Thailand
(MCU), which acts as the center for international Buddhists to organize
commemorative activities in conjunction with Vesak. As a result of the regular
and ongoing activities by the ICDV, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of
the United Nations as its Substantive Session of July 2013 granted Special
Consultative Status to the ICDV. The arrangements for consultations with NGOs
are regulated by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, adopted by the Council on 25 July
1996. The special consultative status provides opportunities to ICDV to consult
with Member States and the United Nations system at large, based on the nature
and scope of work that ICDV undertakes. Consultative relationship with NGOs
also enables the ICDV to seek expert information or advice from organizations
with special competence in a subject matter. The scope of this status covers
four main areas: sustainable development, climate change, education, and peace
building process.
3.4) The Establishment of the Language
Institute of MCU
Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit, the former
rector of MCU, laid down the policy on the development of the language
institute of MCU to serve as the center for Buddhist studies, “The university's
mission and important activities that the university has undertaken, apart from
the teaching and learning activities, especially the International Buddhist
Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak, which the university has always
been the main host. Consequently, the Buddhist countries around the world have
paid attention in sending their personnel to study at MCU. In order to develop
the personnel of MCU with the ability in language and support the goal of
becoming the center of Buddhism, the language institute is therefore set up.”
MCU Language Institute was established on 27th
June 2012 (B.E. 2555) with a status equivalent to faculty. Initially, it was opened for students, university’s personnel and the public.
After that the institute provided English-language
training for MCU’s executives and its operative-personnel. The
Language Institute has also expanded its courses to other languages such as Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Burmese and Pali. The Institute
presently also operates the translation certificate courses as well as the
professional development project on English proficiency enhancement. The
Language Institute provides both certificate level and English language
instruction in general education subjects that are operated in English. The
language services are also provided to administrators, lecturers, officers, as
well as both Thai and foreign students within the university in order to be
able to communicate in foreign languages.
3.5) The Establishment of ASEAN Studies
Center
The ASEAN Studies Center was established on 25
September 2014 (B.E. 2556). Its status is equal to a faculty or an institute.
The university sets this center up in order to prepare its personnel for entering
the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which Thailand is one of its members. This
Center is in charge of management, planning, development, research, managing of
information system and providing knowledge, related to AEC. The MCU ASEAN
Studies Center also cooperates with other universities’ functions related to
AEC.
3.6) The Establishment of Dhammaduta
College
The Dhammaduta College is one of many MCU sectors.
Its purposes are to meet the requirement of the Supreme Sangha Council to
despatch Dhammaduta Bhikkhus to foreign countries. Between 1966 and 1967
(2509-2510), the Dhammaduta trainings were jointly conducted by Mahānikāya and
Dhammayuttika Sects. Unfortunately, due to some obligations, the joint training
were ceased. However, the need for Dhammaduta Bhikkhus dramatically increased,
particularly in the United States, where the propagation of Buddhism from
Thailand officially began in 1970 (2513). That is, there, the first temple was
established on 6th July 1971 (B.E. 2514) and after that the number of Thai Monasteries
in the USA increased. This was because of the missionary work of Thai monks or
Dhammaduta. However, while the need of the propagator monks greatly increased
in such regions, the preparatory training of the monks before going overseas
was ceased. The Supreme Sangha Council, therefore, with a support from the
Department of Religions, revived the training project. Mahānikāya monks
regained the trainings under the direction of His Holiness Somdet Phra
Phutthachan (Kiao Upasena Mahathera), the Committee of Supreme Sangha Council,
whilst the Dhammayuttika monks regained their trainings under the direction of
His Holiness Somdet Phra Buddhachinnawong (Prajuab Kantacaro). Both then
assigned all the training activities to Sangha universities (Mahachulalongkornrajavidaya
University and Mahamakut Buddhist University) to carry out the tasks.
Since 1995 (2538), the Dhammaduta training course
has been organized once in each year with three-month training duration:
academic training (one month), meditation practice (one month) and construction
and renovation work (one month).
Development
and Training of Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkhus
On 23rd May 2008, His Holiness Somdet
Phutthachan (Kiao Upasenamahathera), the President of the Committee acting the
Supreme Patriarch of Thailand gave his homily that ‘the Dhammaduta who is
recognized as the propagator of Buddhism has to be endowed with the sacrificial
spirit, work for the prosperity of Buddhism, not for their own benefits; and
always recalls the virtues of the Buddha who gave us valuable dhammas. He (the
Dhammaduta) has to protect the reputation of his training institution which is
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University any place he goes. He should have
awareness that the monk does not belong to any particular group of laities but
all. The Dhammaduta therefore must pay attention to his mission of Buddhism propagation
with sacrifice in the way that he was trained’.
The Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkhus Training Project is
carried out in three learning phases: construction course with the aim to
provide the Dhammaduta Bhikkhus knowledge and understanding of monastic
construction and maintenance; meditation course emphasizing on Vipassanā
meditations based on the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (The Discourse on the Establishing
of Mindfulness); and academic course which involves lecture, academic
discussion and seminars.
3.7) The Development of the University
as the Center of Buddhism
After the university has been developed to grow both
physically and qualitatively continuously from the year 1887 (B.E. 2430) until
nowadays, what reflects the progress of the university can be assessed by the
empirical outcomes of many areas of administration, both quantitatively and
qualitatively, as follows: -
1) The increased number of offices
For the educational support offices, in the year
1978 (B.E. 2521), there were 11 offices: Office of the Rector, Office for Promotion of
Buddhism and Social Services, Buddhist Sunday School, Dhamma Communication
Office, Maha Chula Asom Meditation Center, MCU Religious Development Center,
Vipassana Meditation Center, Dhammaduta Training Course
and other 3 secondary schools which were Pali Triam Udom Suksa School, Pali
Training School, and Pali Sathit Suksa School.
In the year 1998 (B.E. 2541)
until nowadays, MCU has expanded the number of additional offices and divisions
as follows: Library and Information Technology Office, Language Institute,
Registration and Evaluation Office, ASEAN Studies Center, Campus Affairs
Division, Finance and Assets Division, Legal Affairs Division,
International Relations Affairs Division, Organization Communications Division,
Quality
Assurance Office, Internal Audit Office, Morality Teaching Monk Office, University
Council Office, Special Affairs Division, and Buildings,
Areas, and Vehicles Division.
As for the educational administration offices, in
the year 1978 – 1997 (B.E. 2521 – 2540), there were 10 campuses and 4 Buddhist
colleges. Later on, in year 1997 (B.E. 2540), there are additional 8 campuses,
5 extended classrooms, 17 academic service units, and 6 affiliated institutes.
2) The use of technology
The use of technology to support the administration,
teaching, and propagation of educational technology is an important tool in
empowering the teaching and learning to be meaningfully causing students to
learn more broadly and understand more completely, including being able to meet
the differences between individuals’ students. Students are
also provided with the freedom to learn with more responsibility. This makes
possible the integration of the educational administration of Buddhism with
modern science and strengthening the education to become even more powerful.
By recognizing the value and importance of technology towards
education, the university decided to develop MCU TV as a tool to help improve
teaching and learning. Particularly, the opening of space for students in the
region to learn from experts as well as understanding the vision of the
university that aims at integrating Buddhism with modern science. In addition,
the university has developed high-speed internet to enable the educational
administration offices and educational support offices to develop e-books as a
means for teaching and learning more effectively.
The development of technology does not have limited implications
for educational administration only as the university has adopted UNI-Net to
develop library services and as a tool for information management by using
information systems to help the administration of various offices to be
consistent with the changing situations and to meet the needs of students.
4) The continuous development of scriptures, researches, and
academic books.
The university appointed the committee for developing the Tipitaka
both in Thai and Pali version of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
edition, including the Cd-Rom edition. The Thai Tipitaka has a significant
influence towards the development of researches, texts, and books of the
university. At the same time, the university has supported the development of
the Common Buddhist Text (CBT), the book arising from the compilation of
important contents of three main schools: Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Theravada by
which the scholars of three schools had helped to develop and revise the
contents under the framework of the triple gems i.e., content about the history
of the Buddha, the Dhamma, the roles and importance of the Sangha, etc. In
addition, the university also supports the project on the Union Catalog of
Buddhist Text for scholars and those of interest to access the contents of the
Buddhist scriptures in various schools more broadly.
In summary, the progress of the university can be assessed from the
growth and increase of budget, number of students, number of graduates, number
of educational
support offices and educational administration offices, number of produced
academic works whether scriptures, texts, books and academic articles, etc. The
key leading to the progress of the university arise from the following factors:
the administration of the university as a public university under the framework
of the Act, a clear vision in the administration, the availability of both
budgetary and personnel resources, the application of technology with the
administration of the teaching and learning, the network building of Buddhists
both nationally and internationally, resulting in the acceptance and
collaboration to create educational innovation and organize international
conferences together i.e., the International Buddhist Conference on the United
Nations Day of Vesak, other international academic seminars, etc.