Buddhism is one of the world's great religions, formed more than 2,500 years ago through one man's quest for enlightenment. Central to the Buddhist doctrine are the elements of peace, serenity, and moderation. With more than 350 million Buddhists in the world today, the practice of this religion as a vehicle for attaining a truthful life of enlightenment has a rich philosophical basis that is explored deeply by Almeda students pursuing a Ph.D. in Buddhism.

Specifically, our Doctoral program emphasizes a thorough analysis of the ontological components of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the sacred scripture of the Tripitika, the Three Jewels of Buddhism, and its Five Precepts. Our students will examine various aspects of its history and growth while exploring these important themes and concepts. Because this program is built to reflect an in-depth examination on an interdisciplinary level, it delineates the differences among the main schools of Buddhist thought, including Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Zen Buddhism.

Although sometimes simplified and/or portrayed only in terms of an individual meditative practice, the various schools of Buddhism reflect an intricate way of life, replete with spiritual guidelines and rituals. Students achieving Almeda's Doctor of Philosophy in Buddhism will demonstrate a strong and personal understanding of the religion, equipping them with the requisite knowledge to contribute to this field in scholarly and practical dimensions.

To learn more about the doctorate program or to apply, please send letter of interest to phd@almedauniversity.org