Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

One of only two public Buddhist universities in Thailand, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, is located in the stunning Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara in Bangkok.

Founded in 1887 by King Chulalongkorn, the university was established as a place of higher learning for Buddhist monks and laypeople interested in Buddhist studies alike. It began offering classes to a diverse group of students two years later and has continued to offer them ever since, becoming public through a bill passed in 1997.

In addition to the main campus, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University has extension campuses in more than a dozen provinces around Thailand. They offers international programs in Chinese Buddhism, Buddhism and Management, and Buddhist Leadership for those pursing a Bachelor’s Degree. More advanced programs are offered in Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhist Studies, and Philosophy. The latter two are conducted in English. A Ph.D. program is also available to English-speaking students.

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya is one of the primary organizers for the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations and also hosts the Secretariat for the International Association of Buddhist Universities.