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Studies & Degrees in Buddhist Studies

Buddhist studies is the academic study of Buddhism: its texts, doctrines, history, languages, art and living communities. It is a field of the humanities, not religious training. The University of Tokyo, whose Department of Indian Philosophy and Buddhist Studies covers Buddhism from India, Tibet, China, Japan and other regions, describes the discipline as related to philosophy, ethics, history and religious studies, with research that is naturally interdisciplinary.

Language study is at the centre of the subject. The Tokyo department emphasises in-depth reading of original texts in Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan and Chinese, and the Group in Buddhist Studies at the University of California, Berkeley likewise emphasises the study of Buddhist texts in their original languages, together with the historical, social and cultural settings in which they were written. Berkeley also encourages students to use archaeological, ethnographic and visual materials. Students therefore learn at least one classical language, read primary sources, and take courses on Buddhist philosophy, the history of Buddhism in different regions, and research methods.

Qualifications and levels

Buddhist studies is a small, specialised subject, and the route depends on the country.

  • Bachelor's degree. Few universities offer a full bachelor's degree in the subject; more often it is a specialisation within religious studies, philosophy or Asian studies. One dedicated programme is the four-year Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language of the Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Nepal. About two-thirds of its courses deal with Buddhist philosophy and the remaining third with languages such as Tibetan, Sanskrit, Chinese and Nepali. The first year can be taken online.
  • Master's degree. The same centre offers two master's programmes, an MA in Buddhist Studies and an MA in Translation, Textual Interpretation and Philology. Both take two years (four semesters) and require 60 credits; the first three semesters are course work and the fourth is for the dissertation. The translation MA focuses on translating Buddhist texts into English, largely from Tibetan. A preparatory programme exists for students who do not yet have the language background.
  • Doctorate. Research and university teaching require a PhD. The Berkeley Group in Buddhist Studies offers an interdisciplinary programme leading to a PhD in Buddhist Studies, designed for students who intend to become scholars and teachers at university level. At the University of Tokyo most students of the department go on to graduate school.

Credit systems differ between countries, so a credit in Nepal, Japan or the United States is not the same as a European ECTS credit. Students who plan to continue their studies or work in another country should ask the school what recognition its qualification has there.

Where to study Buddhist studies

SpainExchange lists four active schools for Buddhist studies, one each in the United States, Japan, Nepal and India: the University of California at Berkeley, The University of Tokyo, Kathmandu University, and the University of Delhi, whose Faculty of Arts has a Department of Buddhist Studies.

The setting shapes the experience. In Nepal and India students live close to Buddhist monasteries, pilgrimage sites and communities, and the Kathmandu University programmes combine philosophy with Himalayan languages. Programmes in the United States and Japan are research-oriented and sit inside large universities with wider Asian studies departments. The Kathmandu University centre publishes its programme information in English and teaches translation into English. For Tokyo and Delhi, ask the department in which language each course is taught and which language certificate is required.

Careers

Most graduates who stay in the field work in universities and research, which requires a doctorate. Others work as translators and editors of Buddhist texts, in publishing, museums and cultural heritage, in education, or for religious and non-profit organisations. The language training in Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese or Japanese is also useful in area studies and international work.

Academic posts in such a specialised field are few. As a general indication, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment of postsecondary teachers in the United States will grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035; it does not publish a separate projection for Buddhist studies.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be a Buddhist to study Buddhist studies?

No. University programmes approach Buddhism as an academic subject through texts, history and languages. If a programme is linked to a monastic institution, ask the school what is expected of students.

Which languages will I need to learn?

That depends on the tradition studied. The University of Tokyo emphasises Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan and Chinese; the Kathmandu University bachelor's degree teaches Tibetan, Sanskrit, Chinese and Nepali.

Can I study Buddhist studies online?

Partly. The Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute offers the first year of its four-year bachelor's degree online, followed by three years on campus.

How long does a master's degree in Buddhist studies take?

The two master's programmes of the Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies take two years and require 60 credits. Duration varies in other countries.