Master in Practical Shin Buddhist Studies

The goal of the Graduate School of Practical Shin Buddhist Studies is to conduct education and research on how religious people can respond to complex and varied contemporary issues through studying religious teachings and truths. It also aims to foster religious practitioners with the highly specialized expertise expected by society.

Nurturing Qualified Professionals

The graduate school aims to foster religious practitioners who can understand other people from a global perspective. This perspective is based on Buddhist concepts of human nature and cosmology and aims to find the meaning of existence and to cultivate a zest for living. Also, it aims to nurture religious practitioners capable of exercising leadership over a wide range of activities in order to make religious organizations and facilities all over the nation function effectively and contribute to the revitalization of local communities as one of their strongholds.

Ryukoku University is committed to cultivating humans who can “Pursue the truth, Live for the truth, and Manifest the truth”.

Education at Ryukoku University will bring depth and breadth to students’ lives. During their life at Ryukoku University, students will come to realize how they have been looking at the world only through their colored glasses and what a small world they have been in.

Ryukoku University has a long history dating back to the Gakuryo (a Buddhist seminary) academy that was established in the precinct of Nishi-Hongwanji Temple in 1639. Therefore, Ryukoku University has the longest history of university education and research in Japan, spanning over 380 years.

Over the course of our long tradition, Ryukoku University has cultivated the trait of having a deep insight into human life, inspired by the way of life of Shinran Shonin who lived through the tempestuous Kamakura period and established the Jodo Shinshu sect. Since its inception, Ryukoku University has continuously adhered to the spirit of Jodo Shinshu as its founding spirit.

For young people, tradition may sound old-fashioned. However, tradition will not be sustained unless we apply its philosophy when we face the realities of society in our day-to-day life. As we live through the realities of life that are filled with contradictions and problems, our tradition continues to be renewed.

Ryukoku University’s trait to respect “innovation” and “ambition” is clearly born from its tradition. The creation of new opportunities for knowledge is one of the greatest features that Ryukoku University is proud of, as demonstrated by the great educational reformation during the Meiji period, the Otani Expedition known for its research exploration in the Silk Road, projects to promote advanced research during the post-war period, and the founding of the first Faculty of Science and Engineering, as well as the first Faculty of Agriculture in Buddhist universities in Japan. However, the greatest characteristic of Ryukoku University is its atmosphere to create an environment to live harmoniously with others.

In the modern world, people are becoming more and more exclusive of others. But at Ryukoku University, we emphasize altruism and foster the spirit of cherishing all lives. “Altruism” is the opposite of “exclusiveness”. Buddhism has long been cultivating the spirit of altruism and transmitting its importance. Our students will be made aware of the importance of mutual help and support as they learn at Ryukoku University. True learning begins when a student realizes how ignorant they have been about the true meanings of life. Ryukoku University educates students who will aspire to lead a life of truth, completely devoid of any falsehood and hypocrisy.