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:
- Acquire a critical appreciation and mastery of both Christian and Buddhist thoughts and traditions.
- Become familiar with contemporary critical theory in the academic study of comparative religion.
- 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:
- Gain foundational knowledge of both Christian and Buddhist history, literature, thought, practice, and ethics as the basis for effective ministry, chaplaincy, or religious leadership.
- 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.
- 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.
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) 1
