Dhammakaya Open University (DOU)- Buddhist university.

Dhammakaya Open University (DOU) is an open Buddhist university.

DOU has six coordinating offices within the United States: Seattle, Texas, Chicago, New Jersey, Virginia, and Atlanta. DOU also has its offices in Europe (England, Germany, France, Belgium, and Spain) and Asia (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia).

DOU is open for admissions for certificate, diploma, and degree programs.

 

Hi, Zvavda. Thanks for posting this.

You are very alert. According to the BPPVE's website, this thing was only listed as of 4/14.

http://app1.dca.ca.gov/bppve/school-search/view-school.asp?schlcode=81662939

The fact that it's approved to offer a "Bachelor of Buddhism" (A B.B.?) instead of a more typical B.A. suggests to me that it may be operating under a religious exemption. The law (not always enforced) specifies that exempt schools offer degrees with religious titles, like a B.D. or Th.M.

Is this school associated with a particular Buddhist organization? There's a reference to 'Dhammakaya Intl. Meditation Centers' located in various cities around the world.

The website is attractive. But what do the photographs illustrate? If this is a new school and if it's entirely DL, what are the large gatherings pictured? Are those activities at some of the Dhammakaya centers?

The website isn't very informative, unfortunately. It doesn't clearly specify what programs are available or describe the curriculum. There's nothing about who will be teaching the classes. Hopefully the website will grow.

I'm heartened by the fact that it's apparently only offering one bachelors degree program in a tightly defined subject. It isn't making the mistake that so many non-accredited schools make of starting out by granting doctorates in every imaginable subject.

The classes offered this term are pretty sparse. There only seem to be four of them and they sound pretty elementary. (Especially if they are five university credits.) But if the school just started, maybe it's a good thing that they are starting slow, taking on a task that's achievable and then working from there.

I'm impressed by the low cost. $20 application fee, $20/course tuition and $80/course books. Sounds like $100 USD per course, including the texts. Very reasonable.

You know Zvavda, I like seeing new and interesting CA-approved schools and I welcome this one enthusiastically. But I would like to know more about it.

Btw, the CA-approved world already has a noticeable Buddhist presence. There's the flagship, the University of the West, a WASC candidate. There's the Institute of Buddhist Studies, the seminary of the Buddhist Church of America (Japanese Jodo Shinshu), that offers it's degree jointly with the RA Graduate Theological Union. There's Dharma Realm Buddhist University, a Cha'an institution whose monastery occupies the former Mendocino State Hospital. There's the extremely well funded Soka University of America, affiliated with Soka Gakkai and accredited by AALE. It's about time that we have a Theravada institution too. Dhammakaya also seems to be the first one that offers DL, though University of the West is talking about putting in some DL courses.

 

Re: Re: Dhammakaya Open University (DOU)- Buddhist university.

Is this school associated with a particular Buddhist organization?
Yes, this school associates with Are those activities at some of the Dhammakaya centers?Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the Dhammakaya Foundation.

The website is attractive. But what do the photographs illustrate?
The school have owned by Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the Dhammakaya Foundation.
You can see sample of photographs of activity at Wat Phra Dhammakaya at:
http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/events/maghapuja-photos2004-2.htm
http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/events/dhudanga2004-photos.htm
http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/events/maghapuja-photos2004-1.htm

If this is a new school and if it's entirely DL, what are the large gatherings pictured?
On the website show that:
"DOU is using the borderless distance and open education, operated by dual tracks through the following means.

Two main methods are:

(1) Electronic- Base, using internet and satellite.

(2) Print-Based, using study guides, course comprehensive texts, set books, and encyclopedia.

Other optional methods are:

(1) OSI – Screen Interactive Teleconferencing

Teleconference is accessible from the DOU head office in California through internet and satellite. Those who are in the United States and other countries can have access to this service. The service enables students from other parts of the world to listen to the teachings at the same time despite time differences.

(2) Audio Materials

Cassettes, CD ROMs, VCRs, and CVDs are available as a supplement to printed materials.

(3) Radio and Television

Courses are also broadcast through radio and television."

I think it might be entirely DL but you have to enquire him first.
.............................................................................................
Bill, What kind of buddhist you're interesting? Theravada, Mahyana, Tibetan, Zen or other?

 

All good news.