Dharma Gate Buddhist College’s mission is to deliver authentic, contemporary education in Buddhist teachings, pursue rigorous scholarly research, and support and strengthen Buddhist communities. Our institution serves as an intellectual and communal space where the living tradition of Buddhism engages in dialogue with the social and existential issues of the present age.

Dharma Gate Buddhist College’s role is to take on a defining position in Buddhist education both in Hungary and internationally. It advances this role by conducting deep research into Buddhist traditions, interpreting contemporary communal religious practices, and conveying multi-layered scholarship that combines academic rigor with a mission-oriented outlook. Our programmes are built on transformative, learning-outcomes-based education and aim to prepare students to serve in Buddhist religious vocations. Furthermore, we play an active role in improving spiritual services across Buddhist communities at every level, in keeping with today’s social and cultural needs.

Dharma Gate Buddhist College’s institutional philosophy addresses the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century – including those arising from the knowledge-based society, emotional and behavioural patterns, morality and health, consumer culture, and environmental protection – by drawing on the three pillars of Buddhist practice:

• sīla-sikkhā – the principles of ethical conduct and communal coexistence,
• samādhi-sikkhā – the development of awareness, attention, and inner stability,
• paññā-sikkhā – the cultivation of wisdom, understanding, and insight.

This philosophy recognizes and applies the potential for human development and inner transformation at every level—from the individual to families, communities, organizations, and society as a whole. The aim is to cultivate a sustainable way of life that aligns with the academic community’s inner values and its ecological environment.

Dharma Gate Buddhist College aspires to become a nationally and internationally recognized intellectual centre of excellence, a leading higher-education institution shaping Buddhism’s presence in Europe. Our goal is to provide model programmes that deliver profound, authentic, and practical knowledge, preparing students both for Buddhist religious vocations and for professional paths connected to a Buddhist worldview.

Our goal is to represent, with integrity, the Buddhist worldview—its compassionate, mindful, and democratic understanding of the human person and society—within the Hungarian and European public sphere. Our approach offers both an alternative and a basis for cooperation to followers of other religious traditions, as well as to those not tied to any specific religious form, thereby contributing to the shaping of a diverse, open, and cooperative society.

Dharma Gate Buddhist College’s core values are the authentic transmission of the Buddha’s teaching, support for the inner path to awakening, and the teacher–student community. Our educational approach is built on experiential knowledge, independent thinking, and the practical application of the living teaching. For us, learning is not merely the acquisition of knowledge; it is an integrative process in which students come to recognize the mutual interdependence of themselves, others, and their environment. We are open to the rich diversity of Buddhist traditions, to new spiritual paths, and to other religions and worldviews. We believe that the common goal of all religions is the alleviation of human suffering – a purpose that guides all the College’s activities.

Dharma Gate Buddhist College’s quality philosophy is grounded in a holistic approach. At its centre stands the transformative Buddhist path – the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path – which sets as its goal human development, freedom from suffering, and the attainment of a mindful quality of life. This philosophy organically integrates:

• the perspective of the Asian Quality Network (AQN) on the quality of human life,
• the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) models’ principles and criteria, founded on strategy and change management, sustainable development, and stakeholder participation,
• the Hungarian Accreditation Committee (MAB)’s ESG-based, multi-level perspectives on quality. The College’s quality enhancement initiatives are in harmony with the ESG standards of European higher education and support the advancement of social quality in Europe. This is especially important for our collaboration with Buddhist communities in both urban and rural settings and for strengthening their social impact.

 At Dharma Gate Buddhist College, ethical principles are rooted in Buddhist ethics (sīla), guiding not only individual conduct but also communal, organizational, and economic decision-making. The starting point of this approach is inner moral sensitivity, which forms the basis of right action. According to the Buddha’s teaching, every person possesses free will and is capable of ethical thought, speech, and action. They strive to let go of harmful intentions, do good, and purify the mind. In keeping with these ethical principles, the College cultivates a mindful, responsible way of life in its students—across their studies, professional vocations, and participation in community life. The core principles of our ethical philosophy: compassion toward all living beings, respect for human dignity, and the power of selflessness and care. Embracing these values can lay the foundation for a mutually supportive, harmonious society.