Weblink : www.mahapanya.ac.th

Mahapanya Vidayalai was established in accordance with the initiative of Ven. Charoen Seaboo, the Head of Anamnikaya (Mahayana sect originated from Vietnam) of Thailand to build the higher education institutes for developing the quality and latency of monks and novices. Initially, he and his monastic fellows in his tradition approached the Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), Phradharmkosajarn (Currently, Phra Brahmapundit) to seek the possibility of establishing the institution. After discussion, all approached His Holiness Somdet Phutthachan (Kiao Upasenamahathera) to ask for advice on the establishment of the Anamnikaya Sangha Institution. The Somdej kindly gave them the institution’s name ‘Mahapanya Vidayalai’.

The aim of the university is to develop students’ good characteristics such as faithful practice, intellectual curiosity, spiritual and intellectual leadership, problem solving skills, being knowledge and adaptable to social change and having the awareness capacity of developing one’s own virtues and morality.

The B.A. Program in Mahayana Studies (International Program) was first offered on 10^th June 2002 to 25 students (monks, nuns or Taiwanese Bhikkhuni, Singaporean and Thai students). Most of the lecturers (both monks and laities) came from India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Thailand.

The program provides 30 credits of general education to equip the students with general knowledge to adapt well within the globalized world and the courses in Buddhism via activities, giving them insight and to help them to develop themselves according to the philosophy and objectives of the curriculum.

Objectives

-         To manage higher education in Mahayana Studies for local and international monks and novices in both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, using English as the medium of instruction

-         To produce graduates with morals and virtues as spiritual and intellectual leaders

-         To enable graduates to apply Buddhist Dharma in propagating Buddhism and to develop their lives and society.

Philosophy: Offering Buddhist education integrating Buddhism with modern sciences and applying to social and mental development

Resolution: To provide Tipitaka studies and higher education for monks, novices and laity

Vision: An international Buddhist education center in order to produce capable and morally-smart persons helping society.

Mission: To produce quality graduates, to conduct research, to promote Buddhism and serve academic service to society, and to support and maintain art and culture