Weblink : www.bcs.edu.sg

   The Buddhist College of Singapore, located within the premises of the majestic and renowned Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, was initiated and actively pursued by the current abbot of the monastery, Venerable Kwang Sheng. Established formally in 2005, the College ushered in its first batch of student in August the following year.

It currently offers 2 levels of programmes: Bachelor and Master degree in Buddhist Studies conducted in English and Mandarin.

The founding principle of the College is to groom bilingual Sangha members grounded in right view and knowledge to contribute to the continual development of Chinese Buddhism and its spread in the English-speaking world by providing the necessary human resources through education.  Its teaching philosophy is based on adherence to the tenets of Chinese Buddhism and respect for unity in harmony. Although the curriculum specialises in Chinese Buddhism, the teachings of other lineages are incorporated.

BCS is managed under a corporate framework. At the core is the Rector, followed by two Deputy Rectors overseeing academic affairs, administrative matters and student ethics. Operational units are: Academic Office and Academic Office Administration, responsible for curriculum planning and employment of teaching staff; Monastic Training, responsible for student affairs; and Administration, responsible for backend support. In addition, the Library plays an important role in the College with its rich collection of resources on diversified subjects that include Chinese and English publications, and audio-visual materials. These not only broaden the students’ horizons and stimulate their minds but also draw most devotees to spend long hours in the Library.

To set the College on a systematic path towards world recognition, it has signed MOUs with the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka and the University of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya in Thailand in 2008, to offer the Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies joint degree programme and the Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies joint degree programme conducted in Mandarin, respectively.

BCS has a strong faculty comprising lecturers with professional qualifications, majority of whom are Sangha and lay members with PhD and MA degrees. Be it the joint degree programme in English with Kelaniya University or the joint degree programme in Chinese with Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, the College selects Sangha and lay members who meet stringent language, qualification and professional requirements to teach the courses.

The mission of the college is to specialize in Chinese Buddhism, respect other lineages and promote inter-religious harmony. This is achieved through conducting a brief study of the various Buddhist schools. The motto of the college is “Mind abiding in ultimate virtue, acting according to precepts, understanding and practicing, benefiting all sentient beings”.