Chinese Buddhist Textual Studies (MA)

This programme will focus on advanced-level engagement with both traditional Chinese language and Chinese Buddhist texts and the spiritual, cultural and political values and practices that they embody.

Research Methodology for the Study of Sinology (SICH7023) will focus on enhancing the study of Sinology and the understanding of Classical Chinese language and methodologies such as textual criticism, commentary, and textual analysis.

Chinese Buddhist Scriptural Studies 1: “Infinite Life Sutra” (SICH7024) will reflect critically on the philosophical and religious ideas contained within the (Chinese) Infinite Life Sutra and their reception in both ancient and modern contexts.

Chinese Buddhist Scriptural Studies 2: “Diamond Sutra” (SICH7025) will exhibit high-level knowledge and understanding of a range of critical commentaries and other reflections upon the Diamond Sutra.  

Interpretation of the Four Books (SICH7028) will exhibit knowledge and understanding of key texts from the Four Books from different historical, cultural, and philosophical/ethical perspectives. 

Readings from the Governing Principles of Ancient China (SICH7029) will reflect critically on the moral, social and political philosophies expounded in selected texts from the Governing Principles of Ancient China, and their reception in both ancient and modern contexts.

An additional module, namely, Classical Chinese Texts in English (SICH7004), develops a high-level understanding of the history of, and theoretical and methodological approaches to, the translation of Classical Chinese texts into English.

Building on the taught part of the programme, the Dissertation (SICH7022) element allows the students to produce a substantial and high-level piece of scholarly work in Chinese Buddhist textual study. 

PGCert, PGDip & MA

• Chinese Buddhist Scriptural Studies 1:“Infinite Life Sutra ”《無量壽 經》(20 credits; compulsory)
• Chinese Buddhist Scriptural Studies 2: “Diamond Sutra”《金剛 經》(20 credits; compulsory)
• Classical Chinese Texts in English (20 credits; compulsory)
• Interpretation of The Four Books (20 credits; compulsory)
• Readings from the Governing Principles of Ancient China (20 credits; compulsory)
• Research Methodology for the Study of Sinology (20 credits; compulsory).

MA

• Dissertation: Classical Chinese Textual Studies (60 credits; compulsory).

An MA degree in Chinese Buddhist Textual Studies involves a wide range of assessment methods. Assessment will be both English medium and in the medium of Ancient Chinese, dependent on the particular module being studied.

Assessment methods include essays, translation into modern Chinese or English, translation with annotation or critical commentary, oral presentation, teaching placement portfolio and, of course, the dissertation.

This variety of assessment helps develop skills in presenting material in a clear, professional and lucid manner, whether orally or in writing.

Each application will be considered on its own merit and will be based upon an interview with relevant teaching staff within the University and the Academy of Sinology. 

The bilingual nature of the programme requires a degree of competency in both Chinese and English.

Visit our Applications and Admissions section to find out more.

Possible employment roles for graduates from this programme include:

• teachers and educators in a range of settings in both China and the UK;
• academic researchers in traditional texts and ancient Chinese texts;
• translation work
• educational administration and policy
• ethical business and commercial ventures
• community work and initiatives
• voluntary and travel industries
• heritage conservation; archive and museum work
• corporate and personal coaches/trainers in ancient Chinese ‘wisdom’ and life skills.

The expected employability skills gained by graduates from these programmes are advanced information handling and communication skills; high levels of self and project management; the practical application of high-level skills in textual analysis and interpretation.

• Chinese Daoist Textual Studies (MA)
• Confucian Classical Studies (MA)
• Sinology (Foundation) - Pre-BA
• Sinology (BA)

The programme has the following specific aims:

• To provide advanced training in both traditional Chinese language and Buddhist scriptural and textual studies;
• To provide students with a systematic and critically informed understanding of a wide range of Buddhist texts;
• To develop a deep awareness and critical appreciation of the cultural and historical nature and importance of a wide range of Buddhist texts;
• To enhance students’ high-level transferable skills in communication in general and in textual interpretation in particular;
• To prepare students for the next stage in their careers, whether that is further academic or professional study, education or entering employment of different kinds.

Programme Learning Outcomes

i) Knowledge and Understanding (KU)

Upon successful completion of the Programme of study, students should be able to demonstrate:

1. Sophisticated knowledge and critical understanding of a wide range of Buddhist texts and ethical traditions.
2. The ability to evaluate critically a wide range of Buddhist texts and the spiritual, philosophical and ideological traditions that they embody.
3. Advanced and sustained reading and translation skills, informed by a range of approaches to textual interpretation, translation and analysis, in and of Classical Chinese.
4. Advanced and sustained skills in the translation of Classical Chinese texts into English.

ii) Intellectual (thinking) skills (IS)

Upon successful completion of the Programme of study, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Engage reflectively with a wide range of textual material and questions of how this has been used to capture and inform (spiritual) practice. 
2. Evaluate in an advanced and sustained manner a range of different textual sources and their relationship(s) to broader philosophical questions.
3. Synthesise complex information and ideas from a variety of theoretical, critical and historical sources, including popular and Western interpretations of traditional Chinese texts.

iii) Transferable skills

Upon successful completion of the Programme of study, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Critically engage with, and make effective use of, a range of relevant primary and secondary sources.
2. Communicate, through English and Chinese in writing, complex information in an effective way.
3. Communicate through English and Chinese orally complex information in an effective way.
4. Successfully plan and undertake (given suitable supervision) a sizeable research project.
5. Think independently, and challenge received ideas.
6. Use information-technology skills, including the use of electronic resources, in a sophisticated and reflective way.

The Programme endeavours to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to student learning so that the emphasis is not on the subject’s content alone but on the whole learning and teaching experience. The programmes will combine textual-focused teaching with modern pedagogy and self-reflection.

All programmes are residential, running across the two semesters (or three terms) of the academic year. Students may opt to enrol as a full-time or part-time student. Open to all students on these programmes, will be a series of workshops that will operate alongside the programme structure.

These optional workshops will offer students useful cultural and contextual understanding of Lampeter’s multi-faith, multi-cultural heritage, and form part of a wider introduction to British cultural and social values and traditions.

Visit our Applications and Admissions section to find out more.