1. Name of the master’s programme:

• MA in Buddhist Dharma

2. Qualification level attainable in the master’s programme and the designation of the professional qualification as stated on the diploma

• qualification level: QF-EHEA second cycle, master’s (magister, master; abbreviated as MA) degree
• European Qualifications Framework (EQF), Hungarian Qualifications Framework (MKKR), Asian Qualifications Framework (AKKR): level 7
• ISCED 757: Second Degree master
• professional qualification: Buddhist Teacher MA
• English designation of the professional qualification: MA in Buddhist Dharma
• available specializations: comparative Buddhist philosophy, Indic languages (Pāli and Sanskrit), Tibetan language

3. Field of study

• MAB/OH: theology
• KEOR 2018; 022 humanities, 0221 religious studies and theology
• ISCO/ESCO: 2616 religious professionals (pastor, religious leader, researcher of religion, missionary, chaplain, religious education teacher)
• FEOR: 2730 (priest, pastor, religious professional), specialization: 2627 (linguist, translator, interpreter), 2622 (historian, archaeologist)

4. Accepted prior degree programmes for admission to the master’s programme:

• Buddhist Studies
• BA in Buddhist Dharma

4.1 With full credit recognition, the BA in Buddhist Dharma may be taken into account.

5. Duration of the programme:

• 4 semesters

6. Number of credits to be accumulated for obtaining the bachelor’s degree:

• 120 ECTS
• Programme orientation: highly practice-oriented (70–80 percent).

7. Aim of the master’s programme and professional competencies:

The programme trains students to develop the knowledge and methodological skills needed to critically analyse Buddhist philosophical systems, research classical and contemporary Buddhist texts, and engage in intercultural philosophical dialogue. Students possess an advanced understanding of the doctrinal and hermeneutical foundations of Buddhist thought, as well as the influences of Buddhist philosophy on other religious, scholarly, and cultural systems.

They are prepared to continue their studies at the doctoral level.

Specialisations (25-35 ECTS):

• Comparative Buddhist Philosophy: analysis and comparison of philosophical systems and texts; interdisciplinary research.
• Indic languages (Pāli and Sanskrit), Tibetan language: reading and translating original texts

8. Professional competencies to be acquired (expected learning outcomes)

8.1. Knowledge:

• •  Has knowledge of the major developmental directions in Buddhist studies and its connections to related disciplines (such as the history of universal religion and philosophy, consciousness studies, and psychology).
  • Has an in-depth understanding of the interrelations, theories, and terminology used by different schools of Buddhist philosophy.
  • Is familiar with the specific research methods (knowledge acquisition and problemsolving techniques), abstraction techniques, and ways of addressing the practical implications of theoretical questions within their field.
  • Has a strong command of the vocabulary of their field and the characteristics of written and spoken communication, including its key forms, methods, and techniques in their native language, in the sacred languages of Buddhism (Sanskrit, Pali, and Tibetan), as well as in English.

8.2. Abilities:

• • Using a versatile, interdisciplinary approach, identifies specific philosophical problems and maps out and articulates the detailed theoretical and practical background required to understand them.
  • Applies theories of Buddhist and Western philosophy—and the related terminology—in innovative ways when addressing problems.
  • Capable of independent philosophical analysis and textual criticism.
  • Employs, at an advanced level, the field’s knowledge-transfer techniques; processes Hungarian and foreign-language published sources; and possesses the skills for effective information retrieval and processing in the field.
  • Capable of producing independent, scholarly summaries and analyses on subtopics within the field in Hungarian and English.
  • Capable of delivering presentations and lectures in English on research findings in any subfield of Buddhism.
  • Able to read scriptures in the canonical languages learned during the programme and to conduct philological and exegetical analysis (specialization: Buddhist philosophy in Indic and Tibetan languages).
    Able to perform exegetical and comparative analysis of the foundational texts of Buddhist philosophy in the original language(s and using English-language scholarly literature.
  •  Able to organize and lead meditation and retreats.
  • Qualified to provide spiritual and moral counselling.
  • Able to communicate effectively in an international context.

8.3. Attitude:

• • Embraces the distinctive character of Buddhist philosophy and the relational framework that constitutes its community role.
  • Through their life and work, authentically conveys the achievements of Buddhism, can articulate both overarching and detailed problem areas, and propose solutions to them.
  • Assumes a proactive role in placing their profession at the service of the community.
  • Possesses a well-developed professional identity and sense of vocation, which they also uphold toward the broader social community.
  • Seeks to apply the latest advances of Buddhist philosophy to their own development and to share them with others.
  • Embraces the principle that continuous professional socialization and personal learning serve the common good.
  • Open to transcultural thinking.
  • Committed to ethical and philosophical values, characterized by intellectual foresight and reflection.

8.4. Autonomy and responsibilities:

• • Independently evaluates comprehensive and specialized professional questions and develops responses based on relevant sources.
  • Plans and carries out activities autonomously, initiating their own research projects.
  • Engages in research and development projects, contributing autonomously within project teams by mobilizing their theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in collaboration with other team members to achieve shared goals.
  • Applies a wide range of methods and techniques independently in practice, even in contexts of varying complexity and predictability.
  • Through their meditation practice, they attain a profound understanding, direct experience, and effective transmission of acquired knowledge, approaching others with openness and a willingness to help.
  • Participates in social and administrative activities and in committees.

9. Major areas of knowledge:

9.1. Core curriculum (70-80 ECTS)

• • Buddhist philosophy
  • Comparative philosophy
  • Buddhist meditation and retreat
  • Dharma Conversation

9.2. Specialized Studies (25–35 ECTS):

• • Exegesis of Buddhist Scriptures
  • Reading of English Specialized Texts
  • Buddhist Technical Terminology (Pāli, Sanskrit, Tibetan)
  • Reading of Buddhist Specialized Texts (Pāli, Sanskrit, Tibetan

9.3. Thesis Research (15–20 ECTS):

10. Foreign language requirements:

Admission to the master’s programme requires at least a state-recognized intermediate (B2) complex English language examination, or an equivalent  secondary school leaving certificate or diploma.

11. Other knowledge to be acquired

11.1. Labour market fundamentals: self-management, employment law, job seeking, entrepreneurship

11.2. Foreign Language Competence: advanced written and oral communication; command of specialized terminology.

11.3. Financial and IT fundamentals: digital literacy at ECDL level, basic financial concepts and their application

11.4. Communication competencies: advanced written and oral communication; command of specialized terminology.

12. Other provisions relevant to the programme

Based on the special provisions of Act CCIV of 2011 on National Higher Education concerning ecclesiastical higher education institutions, the content of the programme is determined by the ecclesiastical legal entity.

Updated: May 29, 2025