Jan-Jul Application

4 years Duration

Budget 5,000 per year

OVERVIEW CURRICULUM KEY INFORMATION ADMISSION TUITION FEE ACCOMMODATION

OVERVIEW

Course Description

Undergraduate studies are for those who have completed higher secondary school (10+2) but have not earned a bachelor's degree, or for those who have completed a bachelor's degree program in a different discipline and now want to join a program of Buddhist Studies.

Undergraduate students may enroll in the full four-year BA program or alternatively, study as visiting students or non-degree students.

Please note that the entry requirement of a higher secondary school diploma may, in exceptional circumstances, be waived for applicants seeking to enroll as non-degree students, but that such students will not be eligible to receive study visas.

Center for Buddhist Studies

The courses offered at Rangjung Yeshe Institute include a variety of topics in Buddhist Philosophy, History, and Cultural Studies, and in Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Nepali languages. Students who are seeking a thorough education in Buddhist Philosophy and Himalayan languages may enroll in formal degree programs at BA, MA, and PhD levels or take advantage of RYI’s Certificate Course in Buddhist Studies. Several specialized non-degree courses are also available including RYI’s eight-week long summer intensives, online learning courses, and a year-long translator training program.

The Centre for Buddhist Studies offers a four-year program in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA). The courses in the BA program fall within two main areas of study: Buddhist Philosophy, History, and Culture, and Himalayan Language. For the BA degree, approximately two thirds of the courses concern Buddhist philosophy while the remaining third consists of courses in Himalayan languages such as Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Nepali.

The philosophy courses concern the nature and history of Buddhist philosophy. Here the classics of the great philosophical thinkers of Buddhism, such as Nagarjuna, Asanga. Chandrakirti, and Shantideva are studied and analyzed. The historical developments of the Buddhist traditions and schools of thought are also studied in a series of courses that approach Buddhist studies from a contemporary perspective.

In the language classes modern and classical Tibetan are offered from the first year and throughout the program. By the third year of classes students will have gained a sufficient level of Tibetan of follow philosophical teachings offered directly in Tibetan. Gradually, Nepali and Sanskrit are also introduced, giving students a broad introduction to several important Buddhist languages.

By the end of the BA program, successful students will have developed a broad knowledge of the many Buddhist traditions and their historical and philosophical developments. In terms of language ability, students will be conversant in modern Tibetan and Nepali, read classical Tibetan and Sanskrit, and able to follow teachings directly in Tibetan.

CURRICULUM

Program of Study

Candidates for the BA degree must earn a total of 120 credit units from the following categories.

A minimum of 36 credits must be in the area of Specialized Textual Studies.

Specialized Textual Studies :

• Buddhist Philosophy and Hermeneutics I-II: 6 credits each (Required)

• Buddhist Philosophy and Hermeneutics III-VI: 3 credits each

• Advanced Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Hermeneutics I-VI: 6 credits each

• Buddhist Philosophical Discourse: I-IV: 3 credits each

• Buddhist Studies Summer Program: I-III: 6 credits each

A minimum of 24 credits must be in the combined areas of Critical Studies in Buddhist Doctrine and Historical and Cultural Studies in Religion. Critical Studies in Buddhist Doctrine :

• Fundamentals of Buddhist Philosophy: 3 credits (Required)

• Buddhist Scripture: 3 credits

• Buddhist Meditation Practices: 3 credits

• Methodology of Buddhist Studies: 3 credits (Required)

• Buddhist Ethics: 3 credits

• Yogācāra Thought: 3 credits

• Madhyamaka Thought: 3 credits

• Buddhist Philosophy in the Indian Philosophical Context: 3 credits

• Buddha Nature Thought: 3 credits

• Buddhist Epistemology: 3 credits

Historical and Cultural Studies in Religion :

• Buddhist Traditions: History and Culture I: 3 credits (Required)

• Buddhist Traditions: History and Culture II: 3 credits (Required)

• Anthropological Study of Nepalese Religions: 3 credits

• Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism: 3 credits

• Tibetan Culture in Tibet and Nepal: 3 credits

• Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley: 3 credits

• Buddhism and Development: 3 credits

• Buddhism and Psychology: 3 credits

• Buddhism and Science: 3 credits

• Buddhist Art: 3 credits

• Buddhist Ritual: 3 credits

• Independent Research Project: 3 credits

• Special Topics in Buddhist Studies: 3 credits

• Optional BA Dissertation: 12 credits

A minimum of 36 credits must be in the area of Himalayan Language. Himalayan Language :

• Nepali I: 3 credits (Required)

• Nepali II - VI: 3 credits each

• Sanskrit I-VI: 3 credits each

• Classical Tibetan I-IV: 3 credits each

• Classical Tibetan Translation Project I-II: 3 credits each

• Advanced Classical Tibetan Seminar I: 3 credits

• Colloquial Tibetan I-VI: 3 credits each

• Academic English and Advanced Study Methods: 6 credits

• Academic English I - II: 3 credits each

An additional 24 credits are required, and may be taken from any category.

Note:

Not all courses are offered each semester, or each academic year. Summer courses and online courses may also be taken for credit.

KEY INFORMATION

Kathmandu University

Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute

Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language

Duration of Study

Four years (eight Fall/Spring semesters)

Semester I - first week of September to third week of December

Semester II - second week of January to fourth week of April

Summer Semester - second week of June to second week of August

Admission

Candidates with second division in any Intermediate or equivalent degree

(Higher Secondary School) are eligible to apply for the program.

Eligible candidates may apply to Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, by filling in the appropriate online application forms. (www.ryi.org)

Venue

The program is administered by Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Boudhanath, Kathmandu

English Language Proficiency

All applicants who are not native speakers or do not hold a BA degree from a university in an English-speaking country should submit documentation establishing their English language proficiency. TOEFL and IELTS exam results are acceptable. For admittance to the BA program, applicants must have a TOEFL score of at least 550, or a score of 80 on the iBT. Alternatively students may submit an IELTS result with an overall score of 6.0 and no score lower than 5.0 on any one band.

ADMISSION

BA Application and Admission

BA students must have a higher secondary school transcript (through grade 12). Applicants whose native language is not English and who do not have a BA degree from a university in an English-speaking country must have a TOEFL score of at least 550, a score of 80 on the iBT, or IELTS score of at least 6.0 and no score lower than 5.0 on any one band.

Admissions Process and Course Dates

All applications to RYI/CBS are accepted online through the RYI Portal. RYI/CBS does not accept written applications submitted by mail or in person. Should you need assistance with application, contact us.Depending on the program for which you apply, some or all of the following items are required:

Personal Details
Application Essay
Academic transcripts and diplomas, with English translations where applicable
Letter(s) of reference
Proof of English language proficiency
Application fee

Application Fee	Regular Application	Late Application
Nepalese	NPR 500	NPR 1,000
SAARC	US$35	US$70
International (others)	US$50	US$125

So how to start your application?

For program-specific information regarding the application process, please click on the program name below and follow the instructions provided there.Once your complete application is submitted, it will be reviewed by RYI's admissions committee. The time required to review applications is normally between two and four weeks. You will be notified by email once a decision has been made.Successful applicants are required to formally accept the offer of admission by email and to pay the full tuition fee, or initial deposit (see individual requirements for each program), in order to secure their place in the program.The next program starts on August 21, 2019.
Applications are accepted each year between January 1 and July 1.

Late application is possible from July 1 until start of the program. (Note: a late application fee will apply.)

The next program starts on August 21, 2019.

Applications are accepted between January 1 and July 1.

Late application is possible from July 1 until start of the program. (Note: a late application fee will apply.)

To apply to the Bachelor of Arts program, one must complete the following steps:

Fill in personal and educational details on the application form.
Upload a statement of purpose.
Upload proof of English language proficiency (unless native speaker or Bachelor studies completed in English in an English-speaking country).
Upload official Higher Secondary School ( Grade 11 and 12) transcript with official English translations where applicable. (For Local students: SLC certificate, high school transcript, +2 character certificate and transfer certificates are required).
Pay the application fee.

Remember to click the Save button after you complete each field. Once you have completed the requirements, declare that your application is complete. You can save your incomplete application at any point and come back to complete it later.

TUITION FEE

Financial Aid

RYI is pleased to provide a range of financial aid opportunities to support both new and current students in their studies. Please click on a choice below for a description of each award, information about eligibility, and a link to an online application form.

Special financial aid opportunities are available through various foundations that support students in their study and practice of Buddhism. Read more information about them by clicking the links below.

Tsadra Foundation Scholarship for Advanced Buddhist Studies - for M.A. students
Viet Nalanda Foundation - Zangpo Project for Vietnamese students.

ACCOMMODATION

Living Expenses

To help students calculate their financial needs, the table below shows an estimate of costs for the academic year 2018-2019 in US dollars. This allows for a simple-to-average level of comfort, but not luxurious living.

Study visa fee (US$20/month)	$160 (Sept - April, 8 months)
Books and supplies	$250 (Sept - April)
Room and board**(US$500/month)	$4,500 (Aug - April, 9 months)
Optional field trips	$250
TOTAL	$5160

**Room and board costs are, as mentioned above, estimated for simple-to-average living in Nepal. If you would like to rent an apartment, costs will vary depending on location and size. These days, smaller apartments start around US$180 per month, but can be as expensive as US$350 per month. Larger, fancy apartments can cost as much as US$460 per month. Costs increase the closer the apartment is to the stupa. Further away from the center of Boudhanath, rooms and apartments tend to be cheaper. In terms of food cost, it is cheaper if you cook for yourself or eat at the RYI restaurant (about US$2 for lunch) than eating at recommended restaurants nearby (about US$4.50 for lunch). Local restaurants that do not cater to foreigners are even cheaper, but the chances of getting ill from eating at these restaurants is quite high. One of the cheapest options is living with a Tibetan or Nepalese family, who usually charge about US$150 for a room, breakfast, and dinner. Another cheap option is to rent an apartment, share rooms with other students, and cook for yourselves.

SCHOOL OF ARTS, KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

Katgmandu University, The Centre for Buddhist Studies offers a four-year program in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA). The courses in the BA program fall within two main areas of study: Buddhist Philosophy, History, and Culture, and Himalayan Language.