Faculty of Buddhist Studies Overview

From learning “Buddhism” to the future.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies Rissho University is a place where students can comprehensively explore and learn about Buddhism from many different angles. Our goal is for each student to learn deeply from Buddhist wisdom, acquire flexible thinking and compassion, and become individuals who can contribute to society.
We live in an age where globalization and information society are creating distortions in society, and clashes of civilizations and cultures are occurring all over the world. The study of Faculty of Buddhist Studies is full of hints for solving these difficult problems. Buddhist wisdom teaches us the importance of respecting both oneself and others, and "education for living in the present" that has universality that connects to any future.
The doors of Faculty of Buddhist Studies are not only open to those with a special interest in Buddhism. The scope of study at Faculty of Buddhist Studies goes far beyond the framework of "Buddhism" as generally imagined, embracing society and the world while also reaching into the depths of our hearts. The various knowledge and experiences you will absorb during your four years on campus in the city will nourish you to live life true to yourself and serve as a compass for the future.

Characteristics of education

Faculty of Buddhist Studies has the educational goal of nurturing talented individuals who can contribute to society at large by acquiring liberal arts and specialized knowledge regarding the intellectual system of Buddhism and human exploration, and who have the high ideals and strong will to "seek the truth and offer the utmost sincerity," "respect justice and eliminate evil," and "wish for peace and serve humanity," as stated in the university's founding spirit.
To achieve these educational goals, we offer a wide variety of courses, including applied subjects that examine the contemporary significance of Buddhist studies and Nichiren Buddhism, practical training in the production of Buddhist art such as Buddhist statues and paintings, and experiential learning through practical training in Buddhist culture both in Japan and abroad, while still providing a correct understanding of the fundamentals of Buddhist studies and Nichiren Buddhism.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies Studies has two courses, the Lotus Sutra Buddhism Course and the Japanese Religion and Culture Course, while the Department of Buddhist Studies has two courses, the History and Philosophy Course and the Cultural Heritage and Art Course. Each department offers a unique study program (*1). In the first and second years, it is important to find the field you truly want to study within the diverse world of Buddhism. For this reason, in the first and second years, all students Faculty of Buddhist Studies will study a wide range of basic skills and concepts necessary for studying in Faculty of Buddhist Studies from a common group of subjects. Then, in the third and fourth years, students will deepen their study of their major by taking the distinctive group of subjects of their department or course. This is a major feature of the educational program of Faculty of Buddhist Studies.

*1 This course name will be applied to students enrolling in or after the 2025 Reiwa 7 year.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies Educational Programs

The Lotus Sutra course is a specialized course that focuses on the teachings of Saint Nichiren, including the history of Lotus Sutra teachings, Nichiren teachings, the history of Nichiren religious studies, and the history of the Nichiren sect, as well as the thoughts and actions of Saint Nichiren and the teachings of the Lotus Sutra that formed the foundation of these teachings.

The Japanese Religion and Culture course is a specialized course that provides students with a multifaceted study of various aspects of Japanese religion, with a focus on Buddhism, including Japanese religion, the history of Japanese Buddhism, and the relationship between religion and Japanese culture, and also allows them to consider the role of Buddhism in modern society.

The History and Philosophy course is a specialized course that aims to compare and consider the different philosophies, religions, and cultures of the world through the reading and interpretation of documents and materials, and to understand Buddhist thought and the historical background to the establishment of Buddhism.

The Cultural Heritage and Arts course is a specialized course that examines history, art, thought, religion, etc. with the goal of gaining a fundamental understanding of "culture" as a human endeavor.

We provide an environment where you can acquire the knowledge to live in the present.

A distinctive feature of fieldwork is that from the first year, students visit shrines, temples, and art museums, as well as undergo training both domestically and overseas, and learn about Buddhist culture through local experiences.
A distinctive feature of the experience and practical training is that students will learn about the making of Buddhist statues, calligraphy, flower arrangement, and etiquette for memorial services through hands-on experience on campus.
In order to develop communication skills, we offer small class sizes that involve presentations and discussions.

Introduction to Departments and Courses in Faculty of Buddhist Studies

• Buddhist Studies History and Philosophy Course
  　~ Unraveling the wisdom left in documents and exploring wisdom that is relevant to the present ~

  Buddhism was born in India about 2,500 years ago and spread throughout Asia and the world. How did the essence of Buddhism, which teaches how to understand and accept oneself and others, come to fruition? We will learn about the historical flow and the various ideas and doctrines that shape Buddhism.

• Department of Buddhist Studies, Cultural Heritage and Arts Course
  　~ Past, present, and future. Learn about the dynamism of culture that transcends time and space ~

  We will learn about the diverse and unique cultures of Asian countries from a comparative perspective with other cultural areas. Students can comprehensively learn about Buddhism, which is the root of culture and art in Asia, including its spirituality and historical background, and even try their hand at creating artwork to further their understanding.

• Department of Religious Studies - Lotus Sutra Buddhism Course
  　-Find​ ​a place to stay so you don't lose sight of yourself in today's confusing society-

  "Truth," "Justice," and "Peace" are the founding principles of Rissho University and can also be said to be issues that must be realized in modern society. By studying the life of Saint Nichiren, who endured numerous trials in order to remain faithful to these three beliefs and devoted himself to saving people, as well as the Lotus Sutra, the source of Nichiren's thought, we will cultivate a spirituality that is considerate of others and capable of putting the teachings into practice.

• Religious Studies Department, Japanese Religion and Culture Course
  　~ Unravel the various aspects of Japanese religion with a focus on Buddhism, and acquire the ability to apply its value to modern times ~

  Students will gain a deeper understanding of the ideas, history, and culture of Japanese religions, one by one, and will look at the Japanese way of life from a broad perspective. In addition, students will acquire application skills based on traditional ideas, culture, and customs through the study of a wide range of specialized subjects.

Faculty of Buddhist Studies Career Path Introduction

three policies

Faculty of Buddhist Studies has the objectives of nurturing talented individuals who can acquire the liberal arts and specialized knowledge concerning the intellectual system of Buddhism and human inquiry, and contribute to society at large, as well as to conduct the education and research necessary for that purpose, as well as other educational and research objectives.

In order to achieve this, we have established and published the following integrated set of "Educational Objectives," "Policy for Graduation Certification and Degree Awarding (Diploma Policy)," "Policy for Composing and Implementing the Educational Course (Curriculum Policy)," and "Policy for Accepting Students (Admission Policy)," as follows:

inquiry