Master of Comparative Religious Studies

Program Description

The Master of Comparative Religious Studies program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation of knowledge of two religious traditions: Buddhism and Christianity. Students will encounter different central issues of theory and method that underlie the discipline of the study of comparative religion.

 

Program Objectives

The objectives of the Master of Comparative Religious Studies program are to:

1. Acquire a critical appreciation and mastery of both Christian and Buddhist thoughts and traditions.
2. Become familiar with contemporary critical theory in the academic study of comparative religion.
3. Be informed with a variety of different methodologies, including but not limited to: textual and philological studies, history, psychology, and sociology.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Master of Comparative Religious Studies program, the students will:

1. Gain foundational knowledge of both Christian and Buddhist history, literature, thought, practice, and ethics as the basis for effective ministry, chaplaincy, or religious leadership.
2. Find structured and critical exploration of one’s own religious tradition as a basis for ministerial formation and the development of facilities to provide pastoral care.
3. Engage with one’s tradition within a multi-religious and multi-cultural context to support an engagement with diverse communities.

 

Admission Requirements

1. Submit a completed and signed Application Form: The application form can be requested from the Admission’s Office or downloaded from the University website: www.iueast.org.

2. Submit the $100 Application Fee (non-refundable).

3. Submit all documents that are required by the admissions office:

• a. Proof of Graduation: Applicants must provide proof of bachelor’s degree, such as official transcripts or certificate of graduation.
• b. International Students Only:
  • Copy of valid passport
  • Copy of valid visa
  • Copy of I-94, if available
  • Previous institutions Form I-20
  • Bank Statement, or Affidavit of Support

4. Personal Identification: All applicants are required to submit a photocopy of personal identification such as state driver’s license, government issued identification card, and passport or any government issued photo identification.

 

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of 72 quarter units of study is required with minimum of 3.0 cumulative grade point average. The normal time necessary to complete the program is 3 years.

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Course Number	Course Title	Quarter Units
BMN 501	Buddhist Meditation Practicum	4
BMN 502	History of Buddhism I (600 BCE to 1,000 CE)	4
BMN 503	History of Buddhism II (1,000 CE to Modern Time)	4
BMN 504	Foundations of Buddhist Thought I	4
BNM 505	Foundations of Buddhist Thought II	4
BMN 506	Buddhist Ethics	4
BMN 507	Bible Overview	4
BMN 508	Gospels	4
BMN 509	Christian Evangelism	4
BMN 510	Church History	4
BMN 511	Spiritual Formation	4
BMN 512	Church Leadership	4
BMN 513	Buddhism Through Its Scriptures	4
BMN 514	Buddhism and Western Philosophy	4
BMN 515	Buddhism and Modern Psychology	4
BMN 516	Religion and Society	4
BMN 520	Buddhism and Science	4
BMN 521	Seminar in Buddhism Terminology	4
BMN 601	Sutra Studies	4
BMN 602	Buddhism in the New Global Society	4
BMN 603	The Buddhist Practitioner I	4
BMN 604	The Buddhist Practitioner II	4
BMN 605	Buddhist Leadership	4
BMN 606	Internship	4
BMN 607	Religion and the Meaning of Existence	4
BMN 608	Buddhist Thought and Philosophy	4
BMN 609	Seminar on Buddhism and Cognition	4
BMN 610	Cultural and Social Aspects of Buddhism	4
BMN 611	Developments in Buddhist Psychology	4
BMN 612	Seminar on South and Southeast Buddhism	4
BMN 613	Religion and Ethics Seminar	4
BMN 614	Spiritual Development	4
BMN 615	Sociology in Buddhism	4
BMN 616	Philosophy of Buddhism Seminar	4
BMN 617	Seminar on God, Existence, and Emptiness	4
BMN 650	Buddhism and Christianity	4
BMN 651	Comparative Perspectives in Buddhism and Christianity	4
MP 100	Meditation (Every Quarter)	4