Некоторое время назад на меня вышел наш соотечественник, бурят по национальности, техаравадинский монах живущий в Бирме. Он учится в буддийском Университете (вместе с ним еще учится монах из Санкт-Петербурга).
Вот, что он пишет об университете, и возможности практиковать в Бирме:
The place’s name is ITBMU- International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, it was opened since 1998, this university offers degrees in Buddhist teachings from diploma up to Ph.D. in Buddhist teachings. To say in more details, it offers Diploma, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. in Buddhist teachings. For Diploma you have to study only one year, next two years you’ll get BA, three more years of study offers you MA, only then you will have to sit for Ph.D. course for four years. In total you’ll spend ten years to get Doctor Degree, what funny thing in this situation is? It is that you can’t get MA without staying here and studying for BA. It means that whoever comes to this university, all of them have to start to study from beginning, from Diploma Course. Whatever, this Degree is accepted only in Asian countries- in Sri-Lanka, in India. I think these are the only countries that accept it. I don’t know about Thailand, whether they will accept it or not.
Now about accommodations, in this university the Food, Place to stay and Tuition-fee are free, it means that you do not need to worry about finance much, may be for your personal needs only. But I have to admit that it would be wise to be prepared for worse situations. Because on two months holidays you are up to yourself. You may go wherever you want, you want to stay in Myanmar, than you stay but on your own. You may go on tour, or stay in the monasteries, or in meditation centers, it’s up to you.
If you are coming for one year, it will be wise to get your ticket with open date, from May to May. The first semester Course will start on 2nd of June, the exams for first semester will take place in mid-october, second semester will start on 1st of December, will end at the end of March. That is whole year Course. See you next time, Sitala (Zorigto)
here’s something to add, concerning with food, as you might know, you’ve been in Sri-Lanka and food over there is not of Russian kind, so the same can be said about in Myanmar. At the beginning it will be hard to adjust yourself to this type of food, therefore you are going to buy some food before you acclimatize your taste, your body for Myanmar.
Now about entrance-exams, it will need you to apply at the Myanmar Embassy in Moscow, something about mid-December, then you will sit for exam in first week of January, approximately on 7th or on 8th of January. Before you sit for exam, you need to know something about Buddhism, just in general. Where Buddhism started, how many Buddhist events you know, do you know any famous Buddhist leader, etc. in this way you may be prepared.
There will be more information about it but later.