Diploma in Buddhist Studies (English Medium)
(Registration No.: 272801)
Entrance Requirements
All applicants should meet at least one of the following requirements:
(i) Passes in three (3) subjects in GCE (General Certificate of Education) Advance Level examination in Sri Lanka;
(ii) Passes in three (3) subjects in London Advance Level examination;
(iii) A certificate equivalent to above qualification;
(iv) Diploma in Buddhist Studies or any other subject from a recognized university or higher education institute;
(v) Secondary school certificate (completed thirteen years of school education) or its equivalent;
(vi) Any other qualifications deemed equivalent to the above by University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
If the student’s first language is not English, or if the medium of instruction of his previous studies was not in English, he will be invited to attend an interview with a view to ascertaining whether he can work in English.
Programme Structure
Students should earn 30 credits to complete the Diploma programme, including 12 credits from three 4-credit course units. The programme will be offered on a Semester basis. Each academic year comprises two (2) semesters.
Course Units on offer:
Pali
PALI 13014 Development of Pali Language and Literature (4 credits)
PALI 13022 Introduction to Pali Grammar (2 credits)
PALI 13032 Selected Readings in Pali Literature (2 credits)
PALI 13042 Pali for spiritual conducts (2 credits)
PALI 13052 Fundamental Buddhist Teachings in Pali (2 credits)
PALI 13062 Buddhist Meditation Literature in Pali (2 credits)
Buddhist Philosophy
BUPH 13014 Fundamental Teachings of Early Buddhist Philosophy (4 credits)
BUPH 13022 Indian Background of Buddhist Philosophy (2 credits)
BUPH 13032 Abhidhamma and Development of Buddhist Thought (2 credits)
BUPH 13042 Selected Readings in Chinese Buddhist Sutras (2 credits)
BUPH 13052 Selected Readings in Agama and Nikaya Literature (2 credits)
BUPH 13062 Selected Readings in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature (2 credits)
Buddhist Culture
BUCU 13014 Historical Background of Buddhist Culture (4 credits)
BUCU 13022 Modern movements of Humanistic Buddhism (2 credits)
BUCU 13032 Buddhist Ethics (2 credits)
BUCU 13042 Buddhist Cultural Diversity (2 credits)
BUCU 13052 Theravada and Mahayana (2 credits)
BUCU 13062 Buddhist Spiritual Care and Counselling (2 credits)
Buddhist Psychology
BUPS 13014 Introduction to Buddhist Psychology (4 credits)
BUPS 13022 Buddhist Meditation (2 credits)
BUPS 13032 Introduction to Buddhist Psychiatry (2 credits)
BUPS 13042 Mindfulness practice and its modern applications (2 credits)
BUPS 13052 Buddhist Doctrines of Analytical and Depth Psychology (2 credits)
BUPS 13062 Buddhist Analysis of Mind and Mental States (2 credits)
Students are required to earn at least 14 credits in the 2023/24 academic year.
Mode of Study
Part-time (two years) / Occasional
Classes will mainly be conducted on weekday evenings and weekends.
Online teaching will be arranged for overseas students.
Course Syllabus
2024/25-2025/26 Course Syllabus
2023/24-2024/25 Course Syllabus
Course Brochure
2024/25-2025/26 Course Brochure
2023/24-2024/25 Course Brochure
2023/24-2024/25 Course Brochure
2023/24-2024/25 Course Brochure
2024/25 Programme Timetable
2024/25 Timetable for First Semester
2023/24 Programme Timetable
2023/24 Timetable for First Semester (Revised 30 March 2023)
2023/24 Timetable for Second Semester
Provision for enrolment as Occasional Students
Applicants who are interested in taking only certain course units (instead of joining the whole Diploma programme) may enrol as Occasional Students. They do not need to meet the above‑mentioned entrance requirements for enrolment. Upon completion of the chosen course unit, students will be issued a Certificate of Attendance. For those who have successfully completed all the requirements of a course unit (including final examination and written assignments), a Certificate of Completion with the passing grade obtained will be issued.
Study Load
The whole programme comprises 450 lecture hours. Students are advised to spend no less than 140 hours of self-study for 4-credit course units and 70 hours of self-study for 2-credit course units to gain the full benefit of the programme.
Programme Fees
HK$500 non-refundable application fee
Tuition fee: HK$29,000 (payable in 4 instalments): HK$7,250 per instalment
Occasional Students: HK$3,000 per course (4 credits), HK$2,000 per course (2 credits).
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for needy students.
Application Procedures
Please download the application form, and submit a completed copy, along with certified copies of your academic credentials, three recent photographs (45mm X 35mm) of yourself and an application fee of HK$500 (cheque payable to The Buddha‑Dharma Centre of Hong Kong Ltd.) to BDCHK. Payment by telegraphic transfer can be effected in accordance with the following instructions:
Beneficiary bank name: HSBC Hong Kong
Beneficiary account number: 023-133366-838
Beneficiary name: The Buddha-Dharma Centre of Hong Kong Limited
Beneficiary bank address: 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
Swift code: HSBCHKHHHKH
Please note that the application fee of HK$500 should be paid in full in HKD, net of all bank charges which should be absorbed by the remitter or sender.
Please note that documents once submitted will not be returned to applicants. For successful applications, the application documents will form part of the student records. For unsuccessful applications, the application form and all supporting documents will be destroyed.
Tentative Course Commencement
25 March 2024
Application Deadline
24 March 2024 (late applications are still welcome)
Enquiries
Tel: (852) 2673 0081
Email: enquiries@buddha-dharma.org.hk
The programme is registered under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance, Cap. 493. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualification to which these courses may lead.