I am interested in a religious studies degree at Tzu Chi or another university. Does anyone have any experiences positive or negative, any advice? What other universities are viable?
The best secular program is at National Cheng-Chi University (NCCU in case the pinyinizer scrambles the name to Zhengzhi). Fu Jen Catholic University is also very good, as one would expect of the Jesuits. Alethea University has a religion department which is not as good, and may close in the future. There are about 6 Buddhist universities and an uncertain number of Protestant universities which teach religion. If you have to study Buddhism at one of these, I would pick Fagushan (Dharma Drum), which has the best academic reputation among them.
Tzu Chi is very gung-ho and authoritarian / conformist–some would even call it a cult. You would have to be vegetarian, wear a school uniform, and bow (kowtow) to Master Cheng Yen or her image. The assumption would be that everyone there supports Tzu Chi and agrees with Cheng Yen. While I like some of the teachers from their department, I suspect that the institutional atmosphere would tend to discourage critical thinking. But by all means–visit them, and see what you think of the place.
What specifically do you want to study? (What languages? What specialization? What thesis topic?) Do you have to study in Taiwan, or could you consider going abroad? If I may ask, are you a Buddhist? If so, what tradition do you most identify with?
if you are looked for Buddhism academic studies (which is pretty hot field amongst international religous studies,) then you can also look into:
Dharma Drum Mountain University
sanghau.ddm.org.tw/admission/Admission.aspx
Dharma Drum is pretty famous in Taiwan for its Buddhism studies and is more openminded when it comes to āgama and nikāya studies.
It is related to a research institute called Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhism Studies
chibs.edu.tw/eng_html/index_eng00.html
Thankyou for the information, I wanted a course covering Daoism and Buddhism and other religions too if possible. I was hoping to be able to get contacts to Masters in Taiwan and elsewhere. I wanted to enhance my meditation and praying, practical application would be the focus. I definately didn’t want a purely academic course and I won’t fit in to a strictly regimented system. I don’t have a strong formal background in religious studies. I may be unrealistic about what I can expect from a course, you agree?
I think in all these schools you can go for strictly academic and pursue your religious practices on the side, it comes closest to what you describe. of course, it’s best if you can inquire each school about their programs.
by the way, there’s also this school:
ird.hcu.edu.tw/front/bin/home.phtml
Hsuan Chuang (the school linked above) offers an MA in religious studies. Although the school was founded by Buddhists, the student body is not especially Buddhist (though there are some nuns and monks around), and the religion department teaches several different religions, not just Buddhism. I wouldn’t expect the atmosphere to be particularly spiritual, or for people to agree on religion. Although several of the Buddhist Studies faculty are good, overall academics are uneven. Coursework would be rather lockstep (lots of required courses that everyone takes together), and all in Chinese. If you like, I can alert one of their professors to your post, or get them to answer any questions you may have.
Fagushan (Dharma Drum) would have more of the spiritual atmosphere you are looking for, but may not teach Daoism in depth. For that combination, I would recommend NCCU or perhaps Fu Jen, and then you could go somewhere else to meditate!
Another school you may be interested in is Fo Guang University, which offers an English-medium MA in Buddhist Studies:
dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=102&t=12187
For Daoism, one option would be to enroll in classes at Zhinangong (Chi Nan Temple) in Muzha. The two-year curriculum (all in Chinese, except when they switch to Taiwanese) focuses on Laozi / Zhuangzi and a bunch of fortune-telling stuff, and is taught from the perspective of Quanzhen. Classes are all on the weekend. Their degrees are not recognized by the government, but it would be easy to combine this with study at NCCU (which is just down a short flight of steps). Let me know if you’re interested in this option, and I will climb the hill and look up their (Chinese) website and contact information.
Thanks again for the information. I need to improve my Chinese first. and foremost, then I will go and see these places in person.
You’re most welcome!
Remember though, Fo Guang University has an English MA program, so you wouldn’t have to wait. There may be others.