Academics

Study Buddhist traditions through text, thought, language and civilization.

Explore undergraduate pathways in Tripitaka Studies, Buddhist Philosophy, Pāli and Buddhist Civilization.

Honours Only

TRIP

BA (Hons) in Tripitaka Studies

A specialised Honours programme centred on the Theravada Tripitaka, covering the Sutta, Vinaya and Abhidhamma Piṭakas with Aṭṭhakathā and Tīkā traditions, supported by chanting, recitation and independent research.

4 years · 8 semestersSinhala / English academic support

Sutta Piṭaka foundationsVinaya Piṭaka and monastic disciplineAbhidhamma Piṭaka analysisAṭṭhakathā and Tīkā traditionsChanting and recitation practiceIndependent dissertation

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Major & Compulsory Subject

BUPH

BA / BA (Hons) in Buddhist Philosophy

A major and compulsory field of study that examines Buddhist doctrines, ethics, logic, epistemology, psychology, counselling and contemporary social questions through critical philosophical inquiry.

BA General / 4-year Honours pathwaySinhala & English

Philosophical background of BuddhismFundamental teachings of early BuddhismTheravada thought and VinayaBuddhist logic and epistemologyBuddhist ethics and psychologyDissertation-based research

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Language & Texts

PALI

BA / BA (Hons) in Pāli

A language-and-text pathway that develops competence in Pāli grammar, morphology, syntax, translation and interpretation of canonical, commentarial and non-canonical Buddhist literature.

BA General / 4-year Honours pathwaySinhala & English

Pāli grammar and sentence constructionVerb conjugations and noun declensionsTranslation into Sinhala and EnglishCanonical and non-canonical textsAṭṭhakathā and Tīkā literatureInterpretation of key suttas

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Civilization Studies

BUCZ

BA / BA (Hons) in Buddhist Civilization

An interdisciplinary pathway on Buddhist cultures, societies and traditions, covering origins, expansion, cultural sources, lay community, rituals, arts, ecology, economy and world religions.

BA General / 4-year Honours pathwaySinhala & English

Origins and spread of BuddhismBuddhist cultural sourcesLay community and ritualsBuddhist arts and aestheticsBuddhist ecology and economySri Lankan Buddhist civilization

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Curriculum note

Programme structures on this concept site are based on the Department’s currently published public information. Final course registration, credit requirements and current offerings should always be checked against the latest approved University handbook and faculty notices.

Study Buddhist traditions through text, thought, language and civilization.

BA (Hons) in Tripitaka Studies

BA / BA (Hons) in Buddhist Philosophy

BA / BA (Hons) in Pāli

BA / BA (Hons) in Buddhist Civilization

Explore Buddhist scholarship at BUSL.