Where to Study Buddhist Studies this Year?

Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by Matthew Sockolov

Most people decide to study Buddhism not only because they find this subject exciting, but also because it may help them to change the way they see the world. If you are one of those individuals who want to transform their life views, keep reading the article! Below you’ll find the information about the best institutions that offer Buddhology programs. But first, you can learn more about this teaching.

What is Buddhology?

The term Buddhology appeared in the early 20th century thanks to Joseph Carpenter. Initially, it meant the study of Buddhahood, nature, and the doctrines of Buddha. However, now it is synonymous with Buddhist studies, the field that focuses on the history, culture, arts, theology, philosophy, practices, and other subjects related to Buddhism.

Buddhism is based on the concept of Three Marks of Existence: dukkha, anatta, and anicca.

• Dukkha can be translated as frustration or dissatisfaction, which explains that life does not necessarily give people what they want, so they usually do not achieve complete satisfaction.
• Anatta is usually translated as “no soul”, which means that human beings don’t have a fixed sense of self just because everything is transforming all the time.
• Anicca is translated as impermanence, which is interpreted as a constant change of life.

Buddhists believe that if we understand and accept the idea of Three Marks of Existence, the world can change for the better.

Writing my college paper about Buddhism

It’s a well-known fact that Buddhism is one of the most widespread teachings all over the world. Hence, it becomes a popular topic for discussion in schools and universities. Personally, I found it hard to write my college papers and create projects on Buddhism in college because there are many complex concepts and difficult terms. So I sought a solution at studyclerk, which is a website that helps students with assignments. Professional writers from this platform have expertise in many subjects, including this one. They explained to me the most complicated points in Buddhist theory and helped to expand my knowledge.

The most popular institutions to study Buddhism

The very first university program in Buddhist studies in North America was created at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This happened in 1961, and till 1975 there were a few institutions in the United States that had such programs. Some of the most outstanding were Harvard University and the University of Wisconsin.

According to some surveys, the highest number of US scholars studying Buddhism were found in the following university posts:

• Chicago
• Northwestern
• Michigan
• Washington
• Columbia
• Wisconsin
• Harvard
• Princeton
• Yale
• Virginia
• Stanford
• Berkeley

Some other US institutions with programs in Buddhist Studies include:

1. The University of the West

This school specializes in the study of Buddhism with a strong emphasis on real-life application. The Religious Studies Department cooperates with other university departments to provide a bridge between the study of religion and the problems of modern life. It is also involved in groundbreaking research projects, so students can acquire a deep understanding of Buddhism tradition.

1. Institute of Buddhist Studies

This institute, which originally began as a study group for Japanese-Americans interested in Buddhism, is located in Berkeley, California. It offers three Graduate degree programs, such as Master of Arts with a concentration in Buddhist Studies, Master of Buddhist Studies, and Master of Divinity. Apart from that, there are some certificate programs, which can either certify competence in a particular field or may be completed as stand-alone programs.

1. Naropa University

Naropa University was founded in 1974 by a Tibetan Buddhist teacher in Boulder, Colorado. This institution promotes some non-traditional activities (e.g. meditation) to supplement traditional approaches in learning. This is also the first Buddhist-inspired school that received regional accreditation of the United States.

1. The University of Chicago

This university has a long tradition of Buddhism study. It’s historically strong in various fields of Buddhist studies, which is reflected in numerous faculty publications. The University of Chicago has many different programs that foster Buddhist studies and produce a significant number of scholars.

There are also many so-called dharma centers across the United States that offer semi-academic and non-accredited studies.

Europe also has some outstanding programs in Buddhist Studies. You can choose to enroll in one of the leading institutions listed below:

• Oxford University
• Cambridge University
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• University of Heidelberg
• University of Bonn
• University of Hamburg
• University of Munich
• University of Vienna
• Ghent University

Final thoughts

The teaching of the Buddha still resonates with people in the way it did nearly 2500 years ago. Hence, a lot of people all over the world decide to understand it deeper. Hopefully, this article has offered you some valuable information on the best options to study Buddhism.

Author’s BIO

Michael Turner is an academic writer and researcher at one of the leading US universities. He studies Buddhist concepts to find out what makes this teaching one of the most widespread in the world. Michael also shares his insights on the web to encourage more people to engage in Buddhist Studies.