Bukkyo University imparts the spiritual and philosophical tenets of Buddhism, especially those advocated by Honen Shonin (1133-1212), the founder of Jodo Shu (the Japanese Pure Land School) during the Kamakura Period. The founding spirit of Bukkyo University, "Fostering people of the highest integrity," is based on the teaching of Honen Shonin. The University has two missions: training Jodo Shu priests and training people who will contribute to the development of world culture and human welfare based on the Buddhist spirit.

Bukkyo University's departments and graduate school also offer correspondence courses to advance the University's higher education and research. In addition, through affiliated institutions such as the Shijo Extension Center and the Los Angeles Extension, Bukkyo University further promotes educational and research activities.

Undergraduate Programs

I. School of Letters
A. Department of Buddhist Studies
B. Department of History
C. Department of Japanese Literature
D. Department of Chinese Literature
E. Department of English Literature

II. School of Education
A. Department of Education
B. Department of Lifelong Learning
C. Department of Clinical Psychology

III. School of Sociology
A. Department of Sociology
B. Department of Applied Sociology
C. Department of Social Welfare
D. Department of Health Welfare

Graduate School Programs

I. Graduate School of Letters
A. Special Studies in Jodo Buddhism (M.A., Ph.D.)
B. Special Studies in Buddhist Studies (M.A., Ph.D.)
C. Special Studies in Buddhist Culture (M.A., Ph.D.)
D. Special Studies in Japanese History (M.A., Ph.D.)
E. Special Studies in Oriental History (M.A., Ph.D.)
F. Special Studies in Japanese Literature (M.A., Ph.D.)
G. Special Studies in Chinese Literature (M.A., Ph.D.)
H. Special Studies in British and American Literature (M.A., Ph.D.)

II. Graduate School of Education
A. Special Studies in Lifelong Education (M.A.)

III. Graduate School of Sociology
A. Special Studies in Sociology (M.A.)
B. Special Studies in Social Welfare (M.A.)
C. Special Studies in Sociology and Social Welfare (Ph.D.)

Other Programs

I. Independent Postgraduate Programs in Buddhism
A. Buddhist Studies Program
B. Buddhist Perspectives on Terminal Care Program

II. Training Program for the Jodo Shu Priesthood
A. Special Program on Jodo Buddhism

The Correspondence School is based on the concept that anybody with the will can learn, anywhere, anytime. Students taking correspondence courses total about 32,000, the highest enrollment in Japan. In addition to courses providing the same education as courses on campus, the University provides correspondence courses targeting those who wish to obtain teaching and other licenses.

The Shijo Extension Center, established to promote public lifelong education for the local community, offers about 70 lectures annually; the total number of participants per year exceeds 30,000. The Gallery Space in the Center is open to public use and many activities contributing to the local community have been highly regarded by the public.

The Los Angeles Extension was founded in 1992. Over 500 students have come from Japan to study English and American culture in one of the Spring/Summer Intensive Programs. Light of Wisdom, their academic journal, is published annually in an attempt to introduce Buddhist thought, culture, and arts to American scholars and other interested people. The First International Academic Symposium, entitled, A Comprehensive Review of the Pure Land Buddhism of Honen, was held in November 1996. It was an enormous success, and the L.A. Extension is looking forward to holding more events in the future.

Copyright(c) by 1996-2001 Jodo Shu Research Institute