2008 Summer Semester Program for M.A. (Buddhist Studies) and Ph. D. (Buddhist Studies)

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The summer semester begins on May 05, 2008 and ends on June 28, 2008.

Two 3-credit 45-hour courses are offered during the 2008 Summer Semester for M.A. (Buddhist Studies) and Ph. D. (Buddhist Studies):


1. ST6206 Special Topic I Buddhism in Thailand (May 05 - June 15, 2008)


This 3-credit 45-hour course conducted in English medium is open to students doing M.A. (Buddhist Studies) and any others who are interested in Buddhism in Thailand.

Class schedule (May 05 - June 06, 2008): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 1400hr-1700hr.
Final Examination: 1400hr-1700hr; June 15, 2008

Course description
The course covers the following topics:
I. The Advent of Thai people and Buddhism
II. Major Schools of Buddhism
III. Influences of Buddhism

  • Literacy and Literature
  • Architecture: .
  • Sculpture:
  • Foundation of Thai morality

IV Religion-Oriented Ties in the Family
V. Monastery and Village Life
VI. Religious Impacts on Rural Community
VII. National Integration Program through Monks

Required/Recommended Readings
P.A. Rajadhon: The Culture of Thailand, Thai Culture Series No. I, Bangkok: National Culture Institute, 1953, pp. 3-4.
Bodhinanda, Sathian: History of Buddhism, Bangkok: Pho-Sam-Ton Printing Press, 192, pp. 20-21.
Nonvidhura, Saeng: Where is Suvannabhumi? Bangkok: Department of Fine Arts, 1972, pp. 86-97.
Sommai and Swearer, “The Relationship between the Religious and Political Orders in Northern Thailand” in Buddhism and the Legitimation of Power, (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 1977) ed. B.L. Smith.
Department of Sociology & Anthropology: Foundation of Sinhalese Buddhism in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai: Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University,
1976, pp. 7-19.
H. Saddhatissa: Pali Literature of Thailand (reprint), D. Reidel Publishing
Company, Dordrecth-Halland/Boston-U.S.A., 1974, pp. 211-212.
Khemo, Bhikkhu: What is Buddhism? Bangkok: Phrachandra Press, 1954, p. 54.
Dhammabutra, Chalerm-Sre: The Influence of Buddhism on Thai Social
Life, Quezon City: University of the Philippines, TS, 1958, p. 52.
H.R.H. Prince Vajirananavarorasa: Dhammavibhak, (Translated by Siri
Budasuk), Bangkok: Mahamakutarajavidyalaya Press, 1958, p. 36.
Department of Public Welfare: Public Welfare in Thailand, Bangkok: The
Chatra Press, 1955, p. 7.
Harris, George L.: Area Handbook of Thailand, Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, D.C. 20402, 1966, pp. 209-211.
Mulder, J.A. Niels: Monks, Merit, Motivation: Buddhism and National Development in Thailand, Special Report No., I, Northern Illinois: Northern Illinois University, 1973, p. 24.
Bunsri, Pandit: A Brief Report on Training Center for Tribal Novices and Monks, (unpublished) Chiang Mai: Wat Sri Soda.

2. ST6210 Special Topic II / PE799 Research Methodology, Ethics and Writing Skills (May 06 - June 28, 2008)

This 3-credit 45-hour course conducted in English medium is open to students doing M.A. (Buddhist Studies) and candidates for Ph. D. (Buddhist Studies).
Class schedule (May 05 - June 25, 2008): Tuesdays, Thursdays (May 06-June 05); Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (June 09-June 20): 1400hr-1700hr.
Final Date of Submission of Project Report: 1700hr, June 28, 2008

Course description
The course will cover methods and methodologies used in religious studies, and may require students to do a project in analysing Buddhist literature in various languages and from various sources. Topics in research methodology include ethics, objectives of the research, formulating the problem or issues, design and planning of research, data collection (qualitative and quantitative) and analyses, research report writing and presentation in writing and orally. Writing and presentation skills would also be analysed using selected journal articles.

Required/Recommended texts and Reading Materials
I. General

  1. Creswell, J.W., Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches (2nd Edition), SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA., 2003
  2. Crotty, M., The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research process, SAGE Publications, London, U.K., 1998.
  3. Leedy, Paul D. and Omrod, Jeanne E., Practical Research: Planning and Design (8th Edition), Prentice Hall, 2005.
  4. Lincoln, Y. S. and E.G. Guba, Naturalistic Inquiry, SAGE Publications, London, New Delhi, 1985.

II: Specific Buddhist Texts and references
Nyāyabindu of Dharmakirti with Dharmottara’s ṭīkā
Malvania, D. (ed.), Paṇḍita Durvekamiśra’s Dharmottarapradīpa, Patna: Kashi Prasad Jayaswal Institute, 1955 (revised ed.1971)
Pramāṇasamuccaya of Digṅāga with auto-commentary
Steinkellner, Ernst (ed.), Dignāga’s Pramāṇasamuccaya, Chapter 1, www.oeaw.ac.at/ias/Mat/dignaga_PS_1.pdf , April 2005
Madhyāntavibhāgaśāstra with Vasubandhu’s bhāṣya and Sthiramati’s ṭīkā
Pandeya, Ramchandra (ed.), Madhyāntavibhāgaśāstra, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1971
Mahāyānasutrālaṁkāra of Maitreya/Asaṅga
Bagchi, S. (ed.), Mahāyānasūtrālaṁkāra of Asaṅga, Darbhanga: The Mithila Institute, 1970
Vādanyāya of Dharmakīrti
Gokhale, P.P. (ed. and tr.), Vādanyāya of Dharmakīrti, Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications, 1993