Buddha Dharma University Offers Several Life-Changing Education Options
Buddha Dharma University had its beginnings as the American University of Oriental Studies, which was founded in Los Angeles on January, 9 1973, by Venerable Dr. Thich Thien-An and Dr. Leo Pruden as an Authorized Independent Institution by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under Section 94310-3 of the California Education Code.
The University was originally formed with the specified purpose of offering Western-style seminary training to Buddhist monastics from around the world, without neglecting the inherent experiential nature of Buddhist monastic training in favor of academics with a secular slant.
In November of 2004, Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma charged Ven. Dr. Kelsang Chitta Karuna with restructuring the program as the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles, transitioning the program into a primarily online educational institution. Moving beyond the confines of a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, BSI-LA provided accessibility to a greater number of students from around the world, while carrying on the original mission and vision of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An.
On June 30, 2012, Ven. Dr. Karuna and Ven. Dr. Chitta transferred the administration and control of the University to the Five Mountain Zen Order.
In celebration of the School's 40th Anniversary we renamed the school Buddha Dharma University in January of 2013 to clearly express the focus of our Faculty and Teaching.
With a revitalized curriculum and a renewed commitment to Western Buddhist scholarship and monastic training, Buddha Dharma University operates under a new set of leaders...but with the same compassion, dedication, and commitment to the Dharma embodied by those who came before us.
We currently offer three programs to the Buddhist Community
Traditionally, ancestral Zen training required a unique person-to-person, mind-to-mind connection between a student and a teacher who maintain constant contact with and a commitment to one another. Indeed, the practice and promulgation of ancestral Zen is centered on the teaching exchange that occurs within the confines of the student-teacher institution.
This presents a unique challenge when implementing a structured online academic approach to the Zen process, in that the commitment between a student and a teacher must be remain uninterrupted, as knowledge and insight are continually presented (academic mountain), and wisdom is continually manifest (insight mountain).
Obviously, it is not helpful for an aspiring Zen student to be bouncing from teacher to teacher formally engaging the Dharma; once a student-teacher relationship is formally established it must be uniquely fostered for a mind-to-mind Dharma attainment to properly render.
The sanctity of the student-teacher relationship and connection is very much honored and encouraged through the Five Mountain Zen Order educational model, and a vibrant part of the Buddha Dharma University experience.
NOTE: Please visit Buddha Dharma University's Accreditation page for information about transfers of credits as well as BDU's accreditation status.
The University was originally formed with the specified purpose of offering Western-style seminary training to Buddhist monastics from around the world, without neglecting the inherent experiential nature of Buddhist monastic training in favor of academics with a secular slant.
In November of 2004, Ven. Dr. Karuna Dharma charged Ven. Dr. Kelsang Chitta Karuna with restructuring the program as the Buddhist Studies Institute – Los Angeles, transitioning the program into a primarily online educational institution. Moving beyond the confines of a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, BSI-LA provided accessibility to a greater number of students from around the world, while carrying on the original mission and vision of Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An.
On June 30, 2012, Ven. Dr. Karuna and Ven. Dr. Chitta transferred the administration and control of the University to the Five Mountain Zen Order.
In celebration of the School's 40th Anniversary we renamed the school Buddha Dharma University in January of 2013 to clearly express the focus of our Faculty and Teaching.
With a revitalized curriculum and a renewed commitment to Western Buddhist scholarship and monastic training, Buddha Dharma University operates under a new set of leaders...but with the same compassion, dedication, and commitment to the Dharma embodied by those who came before us.
We currently offer three programs to the Buddhist Community
- C.B. Min. (Certificate of Buddhist Ministry): 18 Months
- M.Div. (Master of Divinity) in Buddhist Ministry: 3-4 Years
- C.M.B.Min (Certificate of Mastery in Buddhist Ministerial Studies): For M.Div. students on the Five Mountain Ordination track, the thesis requirement is waived.
Traditionally, ancestral Zen training required a unique person-to-person, mind-to-mind connection between a student and a teacher who maintain constant contact with and a commitment to one another. Indeed, the practice and promulgation of ancestral Zen is centered on the teaching exchange that occurs within the confines of the student-teacher institution.
This presents a unique challenge when implementing a structured online academic approach to the Zen process, in that the commitment between a student and a teacher must be remain uninterrupted, as knowledge and insight are continually presented (academic mountain), and wisdom is continually manifest (insight mountain).
Obviously, it is not helpful for an aspiring Zen student to be bouncing from teacher to teacher formally engaging the Dharma; once a student-teacher relationship is formally established it must be uniquely fostered for a mind-to-mind Dharma attainment to properly render.
The sanctity of the student-teacher relationship and connection is very much honored and encouraged through the Five Mountain Zen Order educational model, and a vibrant part of the Buddha Dharma University experience.
NOTE: Please visit Buddha Dharma University's Accreditation page for information about transfers of credits as well as BDU's accreditation status.
December 2021: We are sorry to announce the passing of our chancellor Most Ven. Dr. Wonji Dharma. Buddha Dharma University's operations will be on a temporary hiatus as we undergo some administrative changes. An announcement will be made when the next quarter will begin and when enrollment can commence. We appreciate your understanding and support.
