phd in hindu philosophy

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PhD in Indian Philosophy

Program details, eligibility.

1. PhD students admitted to the Department of South Asian Studies and the Department of Philosophy are eligible to apply to the program in the spring of their G2 year .

2. Applications, which must be submitted to the Department of South Asian Studies or the Department of Philosophy, will be based on (i) coursework, which must include at least 3 upper level courses in Philosophy ,  with grades of A- or better, and evidence of proficiency in either Sanskrit or Tibetan, ordinarily 2 courses at the intermediate or advanced level; (ii) the support of at least one, and preferably two, faculty members in the Department of Philosophy and the Department of South Asian Studies; (iii) a writing sample—which may be developed into a “second year paper” in the Department of Philosophy; and (iv) a course of study and a rationale for it.  *See the “Application Checklist” below.

Requirements

1. course work  (9 courses), distribution requirements.

M&E (3)

M&P (2)

History (3)

*Note: With the approval of the director of graduate studies, students in Indian Philosophy may be permitted to count one course in advanced Sanskrit or Tibetan toward the distribution requirement in metaphysics or epistemology and one towards the requirement in history of philosophy .

Advanced Sanskrit/Tibetan

Sanskrit/Tibetan (4)

Additional Courses

Consult the home department’s graduate student guidelines for general course requirements.

2. 2 nd year Paper/Exams/Prospectus

Consult the relevant Department’s graduate student guidelines.

3. Language Requirements

Candidates who plan to write a dissertation in Indian Philosophy are expected to have learned at least one of the relevant classical languages (Sanskrit or Tibetan) before they are admitted to the program. Depending upon the level of fluency they have reached before entering the program, they may be asked to take additional language or reading courses. In addition, candidates will be expected to have satisfied their home Department’s language or language and tools requirement.

Thesis committee, which must be approved by both Departments,  must have at least 2 members approved by the Department of Philosophy (for students in South Asian Studies) or the  Department of South Asian Studies (for students in Philosophy). For further details, consult the relevant Department’s description of their graduate program.

Application Checklist

1. Transcript

a. List of courses taken in the Department of Philosophy, 3 of which must be at the intermediate level with a grade of A- or better.

b. Evidence of proficiency in Sanskrit and/or Tibetan, ordinarily two courses at the Intermediate or Advanced Level.  List relevant courses and the grades earned.

2. One, and preferably two letters of support from relevant member(s) of the faculty.

3. Writing Sample/Seminar Paper

4. Sample Plan of Study and Rationale

*Applications should be submitted to the relevant Department by April 1.

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Degree programs, ma in hindu studies, ma in yoga studies, doctor of philosophy in hindu studies.

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Hindu Studies Certificate

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Founded in 2015, the Center for Dharma Studies helps scholars and students from the Hindu and Jain Dharmic heritage communities and other traditions understand Dharma in its multidimensional richness, and encourages cross-cultural and interreligious understanding.

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Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies 13 – 15 Magdalen Street, Oxford OX1 3AE. UK Tel: 01865 304300 Regd Charity No. 1074458

DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

• Study Areas

The graduate program in Hinduism offers students an opportunity to study the Hindu traditions of pre-modern South Asia, with a special emphasis on the late Vedic to classical periods (ca. 600 BCE - 1000 CE). Students with an interest in the Sanskrit traditions of law (dharmaśāstra) and statecraft (arthaśāstra) are particularly encouraged to apply. The program requires at least two years of Sanskrit language study prior to enrollment.

Our emphasis is on text-historical study using the tools of philology, but students will also develop the capacity to draw upon and address themselves to other disciplines within different theoretical and comparative contexts.

Core Faculty

• Mark McClish
• Kevin Buckelew

MPhil in Classical Indian Religion

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

This course introduces you to the religions of India whose literature has been expressed primarily in Sanskrit and the Middle Indic languages, especially Prakrit and Pali. The course provides an overview through the study of original sources in Sanskrit, as well as the opportunity to choose two Indian religious traditions in which to specialise. 

The course is intended for those wishing to begin a new field of study at the graduate level or wishing to add a second field. It can also serve as a preparation for careers in the arts, libraries, journalism, diplomacy, law, government service, non-governmental organisations, or secondary school education.

In the first part of the course, lasting five months, you will make an intensive study of the essentials of the Sanskrit language. There will be daily homework exercises as well as memorisation of aspects of Sanskrit grammar and vocabulary. At the same time you will attend a class on methods in the study of classical Indian culture, attend lectures and seminars, and write several tutorial essays related to general themes in Indian religion. 

Following successful qualifying examination at the end of the first year, you will enter the second part of the course, which continues to the end of the second year. You will have regular classes in reading Sanskrit texts. For these classes you will prepare texts in advance and, along with your classmates, will read and translate them into English. Your classes will cover prescribed lists of texts that belong to two Indian religious traditions, which you will have chosen from among five options:

• Vaishnavism
• The mainstream tradition that derives from the Vedas.

It may also be possible to choose other options subject to availability. You will also be given tutorials in these two traditions, for which you will read assigned secondary sources and prepare essays to discuss with your tutors.

There are also lectures and seminars regularly offered. Students who come to Oxford with a significant background in Sanskrit may with permission attend advanced classes, or other language classes offered at Oxford, though they will not be explicitly examined in these languages. You will be encouraged to attend lectures both in the faculty and elsewhere in the University, as your work permits and your interests dictate.

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to support your study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.

The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.

Oxford is home to an outstanding range of library and museum collections that provide invaluable resources for the study of India. The Bodleian Library houses one of the largest and most significant collections of Sanskrit manuscripts in the world, outside of India. The Indian Institute Library, now housed in the Weston Library, holds more than 130,000 titles, one of the most substantial collections of books for South Asian studies available in the UK. The Weston Library also houses the Bodleian's Special Collections, including its Sanskrit and Tibetan manuscripts. Open-stack access to the research core of the Indian Institute collection is available through the Charles Wendell Davis Reading Room, located on the top floor of the Weston, with commanding views of Oxford's old academic quarter. There are also extensive collections pertaining to India in the Nizami Ganjavi Library at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, the Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library, and several of the colleges (especially Balliol, Wolfson, and St Antony's). The Bodleian Law Library has extensive holdings related to law in India, with a primary focus on the laws of the Indian republic, rather than pre-1947 colonial legislation. The Indian collections of the Ashmolean Museum are of international importance, and its coins, paintings, prints and textiles offer wider insights into some of the formative cultural influences operating in the subcontinent in the centuries when its modern languages were emerging. The Museum of the History of Science has a unique collection of Indian scientific instruments, and the Pitt Rivers Museum comprises a collection of well over 15,000 items, covering most aspects of the daily life of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists. You will have access to the University's centrally provided electronic resources, the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies' IT Officer, and other bibliographic, archive or material sources as appropriate to the topic. There is a computing room for the use of graduate students in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, as well as a common room where tea and coffee are available and staff and students can meet

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

At the end of the first year of the course there is a written examination of your ability to translate prepared texts in Sanskrit and of your knowledge of Sanskrit grammar. In the second year, there is a timed examination in the textual component of the course. This paper has two halves, one for translation of portions of texts that you have read during the course, and the other for translation from comparable sources in Sanskrit that you have not read before in a class. There are also two timed examinations on the history of classical Indian religion, with the subject matter divided more or less chronologically. In these papers you will write essays in response to questions posed on topics covered by your tutorials.

In addition to the three timed examinations you will also write a thesis. It is usual to write the thesis mostly during the vacations, and it has to be handed in at the beginning of the final term. Tutors will discuss the choice of topic with you and supply a bibliography, and may criticise a first draft, but the final version of the thesis is entirely your own work. If you are subsequently admitted for a research degree, a successful MPhil thesis may form the basis of your doctoral dissertation.

Further information on the course, and the examination process, can be found in the course handbook via the course webpage on the faculty's website.

Graduate destinations

Asian and Middle Eastern studies graduates have found employment in many and diverse fields including business, finance, law, civil service, journalism, government and industry.

Many graduates have also undertaken further research into subjects linked with Asian and Middle Eastern studies and have pursued successful careers in the academic world, education and in museums.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2025-26

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

We know that factors such as socio-economic circumstances and school performance can make it difficult for students to demonstrate their full potential. This course is taking part in an initiative to use contextual data to help us to better understand your achievements in the context of your individual background. For further details, please refer to the information about improving access to graduate study in the How to apply section of this page.

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. Contextual data may also be used in the assessment of studentships. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

Publications are not expected. Sanskrit is a difficult language to learn and evidence of experience of language learning is preferred.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not a regular feature of the admissions process, but an online interview may be arranged by the assessors if considered helpful; for example, to discuss the suitability of the chosen course. The interview will normally be held by the two assessors, and the date and time will be agreed by email. Candidates would not need to do any additional preparations for their interview.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Among subjects in the Humanities, Asian and Middle Eastern studies is unique in offering advanced study of cultures and civilisations in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

The courses offered by the faculty present both the major traditions of the regions studied and, in most cases, their modern developments. All courses include language, literature, history and culture, and there are a wide range of options in such fields as art and architecture, archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, religion and modern social studies. The following are the principal areas of study:

• The Islamic World
• Hebrew and Jewish studies
• Eastern Christianity
• Egyptology and Ancient Near East
• South and Inner Asia
• East Asian studies.

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies has a long history in Oxford: the Laudian Chair of Arabic, for instance, was established in 1636. The Bodleian and other libraries have acquired magnificent collections. The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, China Centre, Bodleian Japanese and Indian Institute libraries offer loan collections in their respective fields. Adjacent to the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies is the Ashmolean Museum, which houses superb collections. The Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library includes the principal library for Islamic Art, Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern studies.

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For entry in the 2025-26 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible,  use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool  to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including  a range of external funding ,  loan schemes for postgraduate study  and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on  our fees, funding and scholarship search tool .

Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:

Select from the list:

Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.

For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2025-26

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Please note that, depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

Living costs for full-time study

For the 2025-26 academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between £1,425 and £2,035 for each month spent in Oxford. We provide the cost per month so you can multiply up by the number of months you expect to live in Oxford. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to budget for the  costs of a student visa and immigration health surcharge and/or living costs for family members or other dependants that you plan to bring with you to Oxford (assuming that dependant visa eligibility criteria are met).

Further information about living costs

The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2025-26 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. For further information, please consult our more detailed information about living costs , which includes a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . 

If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide. 

The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Classical Indian Religion:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Linacre College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• St Cross College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

Improving access to graduate study

This course is taking part in initiatives to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

Socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used as part of an initiative to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Whilst it is appreciated that obtaining academic references will be difficult for some candidates, academic references are requested because it is necessary to establish whether a candidate is intellectually prepared for a course. It is unlikely that this is something that can be established from a professional or personal reference, so you should only submit such references if there is absolutely no alternative.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, and fitness for chosen course of study.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A maximum of 1,500 words

Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in, and a brief indication of your career plans. The overall word count should include any bibliography.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying, especially to Oxford
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
• commitment to the subject
• preliminary knowledge of research techniques
• capacity for sustained and intense work at a high intellectual level
• reasoning ability
• ability to absorb new ideas at a rapid pace.

Written work: Two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each

Academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English, are required. Extracts of the requisite length from longer work are also permissible. It is helpful if written work relates closely to the proposed area of study, though it is not compulsory, as there are many things that the assessors look for in the written work which are not specific to the subject area, such as ability to construct and defend an argument and presentation of material in the appropriate scholarly form.

The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

• comprehensive understanding of the subject area
• understanding of problems in the area
• ability to construct and defend an argument
• powers of analysis
• powers of expression
• clarity and accuracy of thought and writing
• conceptual sophistication
• critical skill
• control of relevant primary and secondary sources
• presentation of material in the appropriate scholarly form.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice .

Apply Continue application

After you've submitted your application

Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will  not  be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can  find out more about our shortlisting and selection process  in our detailed guide to what happens next.

Find out how to manage your application after submission , using our Applicant Self-Service tool.

ADMISSION STATUS

Open to applications for entry in 2025-26

12:00 midday UK time on:

Tuesday 7 January 2025

Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Tuesday 4 March 2025

Final application deadline for entry in 2025-26

† Combined for all the faculty's MPhil courses except the  MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies *Three-year average (applications for entry in 2022-23 to 2024-25)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

• Course page on the faculty's website
• Funding information from the faculty
• Academic and research staff
• Faculty research
• Humanities Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 288203

Application-process enquiries

Application guide

Other courses to consider

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An unfulfilled search for a Ph.D in Hinduism

On her return this student from columbia university discovers that no university in india offers a comprehensive course in hinduism studies.

Updated - July 13, 2013 08:27 am IST - CHENNAI:

A woman’s quest to conduct research in Hinduism has remained in limbo as there is no university in the country that offers such a study.

Subadra Muthuswami, who has a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University, hoped to pursue her interest in Hinduism when she returned to India.

“In my undergraduate programme in St. John’s University, it was a must that we do nine credits each of theology and philosophy for an arts degree. I ended up doing Hinduism studies. Then in my master’s programme, I opted to do a few courses in Hinduism. Since I am in India, I decided to do research to understand why we practice rituals and rites in Hinduism. But I understand that no university offers a comprehensive course in Hinduism studies,” she said.

She discovered that the University of Madras has programmes in vaishnavism and Indian philosophy. She enquired with universities such as Madurai Kamaraj, Annamalai and Sastra, but without success. Finally, she went to Madras Sanskrit College in Mylapore, where she was informed that she could register as an independent research candidate or seek help from the University of Madras.

“While you may study Indian philosophy in the philosophy department or vaishnavism or saiva siddhanta, which is in Tamil medium only, you cannot study the religion in all its constituent parts in India,” she said. She learnt that even Banaras Hindu University has a department in philosophy and religion but nothing specific to Hinduism.

According to Siniruddha Dash, head of Sanskrit department at University of Madras, there are six different philosophies in Hinduism and to master each of them, one may need 10 to 20 years. All philosophies are studied separately, just as in the learning of languages. Vaishnavism is a widely-practised aspect of Hinduism, one of the reasons the University offers the programme, Dr. Dash added.

The University’s department of philosophy allows a student to appreciate Indian philosophy, which professors say is about Hinduism.

S. Panneerselvam, head of the department of philosophy said it is only a matter of nomenclature. “We offer 12 papers at the master’s level including Advaita and Hindu social philosophy.

Senior professors say universities are secular places where Hinduism as a religion cannot be taught. Sources in the University said when the department wanted to offer a paper in yoga (which is also a shastra) last year, the move was opposed on the grounds that it was endorsed by a political party.

The University has separate departments for Christian and Islamic studies.

100-year-old college has no women students now

The Madras Sanskrit College, which has entered its 108th year, has over 150 students enrolled for various programmes.

Set up in 1906, the college was the first to be affiliated to the University of Madras in 1911 and was run with funds from local philanthropists. In 1977, it was brought under the ministry of human resources devolpment.

Principal N.V. Deviprasad says, “This institution is meant for those who want to study the traditional shastras or sciences. We offer a seven-year course for which a student can register after class X. He will graduate as a ‘siromani’, with a master’s in Sanskrit.”

The college used to admit women. “We had women students 12 to 15 years ago, but now, only men join,” Dr. Deviprasad said. Though the course is designated as an M.A. degree in Sanskrit, students learn the various ancient sciences.

The different specialisations offered here are vedanta (philosophy), vyakarana (grammar), sahithya (includes literary criticism), alankara (study of poetry and its nuances), jyotisha, nyaya (ancient science of logic, useful to understand making of laws and punishments) and mimamsa (vedic mantras and rituals, the meaning of words, their derivates and use).

Each of these streams may take at least 10 years to master, Dr. Deviprasad said.

Published - July 13, 2013 08:25 am IST

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How can I get PhD in Hinduism

I just want to ask that is there any university in India or outside India which is able to award Ph.D. in Hinduism. As whatever I searched on Google, there is no university in the India. Please suggest if there is any.

• There is no PHD in hinduism, the most important limbs of hinduism are available for formal studies these are Sanskrit language , Vedas. –  Yogi Commented Aug 8, 2015 at 14:44
• 1 @Yogi I think you can do a PhD in Indology or Hinduism studies. –  Keshav Srinivasan ♦ Commented Aug 8, 2015 at 15:02
• Mentioned answers are good resources to find doctorate programs. I am having two specific subquestions: 1. if I want to pursue PhD on specific area, say on Lord Shiva, Is it possible? 2 I need remote Phd programs from India to anywhere. If any idea, please give hint, –  rammayur Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 16:00

2 Answers 2

Yes, Hindu University of America offers a Doctoral Degree in Hinduism: http://www.hua.edu/doctorate_programs.php

the topic of religion comes under term "Philosophy" and there are many Indian universities offering doctoral studies on any subject including Hinduism. You need google using the key word "Phd + Philosophy". alternatively you can also search using term "Indologist'

You can browse the weblink apaonline.org/?page=gradguide which has data on philosophy education programs primarily in USA and other locations.

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On The Question of What It Means to be a Hindu Philosopher

In early December, I sat down with a member of my PhD cohort and had a conversation over coffee about what it means (to me) to be a Hindu. This is something that’s been at the back of my mind for quite a while now, especially as the only Indian-American woman in my entire department. I attend Fordham University, which is a Jesuit school. My interactions with questions in the philosophy of religion have all been through a Christian lens. My entryway into philosophy was through the work of Alvin Plantinga. The very first academic conference I attended as a philosophy major was the Society of Christian Philosophers meeting at Rutgers University in October of 2016. Certainly, engaging with the big questions in Christian philosophy of religion has been fascinating, but at times it has led me to wonder—what does it mean to be a Hindu philosopher?

The Christians I’ve encountered in my studies seem to have a comparatively easy time not only defining what it is that makes them Christian, but also working through the kinds of metaphysical, epistemological, or ethical commitments they should have as Christians. For instance, no matter what kind of Christian philosopher someone is, they can at least agree that they all believe in the triune nature of God: they see and feel God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit working in and through the world. When it comes to Hinduism, there is no such consensus about what a modern-day Hindu should reasonably maintain. There is, I would argue, a huge gap to fill as I consider many of the same questions that Christian philosophers have about their own status as Christians: what is it that makes someone a Hindu? What beliefs are central to this religious position? Are there any beliefs central to Hinduism? Should I, as a Hindu, have certain philosophical or ethical commitments?

Indian philosophy and Hinduism are so often sidelined within the larger profession of academic philosophy, or relegated to the massive category that is ‘comparative philosophy.’ Seeing this pattern, one naturally begins to wonder if the reason Hinduism just isn’t brought up in mainstream philosophy of religion is because it doesn’t raise the same complex issues that have been debated by philosophers for ages. This can’t be true—Hinduism is most definitely a rich and nuanced religious tradition that explores a lot of the questions that concern us as philosophers today.

Nevertheless, it still comes as a shock to me when I see themes from the philosophy I do as a graduate student reflected back to me in Hinduism. Case in point—this past summer, I ended up in the hospital with a bad case of dehydration while traveling in Delhi. When I wasn’t sleeping or having various blood tests done, I was reading a book called The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Divakaruni. The Palace of Illusions (re)opened my eyes to exactly how philosophical Hinduism can really be—it is a piece of literary fiction that attempts to re-tell the famous Indian epic, the Mahabharata, through the eyes of the epic’s main female character, Draupadi.

For those who are not aware, the Mahabharata is one of two great Indian religious epics (the other being the Ramayana ), and it is about five princely brothers collectively called the Pandavas (Arjuna, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Nakul, and Sahadev), and their shared wife, Draupadi. The Pandavas must fight their own cousin, Duryodhana, for control of the kingdom they both claim rights to, and they do so with the help of Krishna. The section of the Mahabharata that is most well-known in popular consciousness is the Bhagavad Gita –which focuses on the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna concerning the righteousness of war with one’s own relatives.

However, it wasn’t Draupadi’s second-hand description of the Bhagavad Gita that struck me as I was reading The Palace of Illusions, but rather, the issues of free will and determinism that I’ve often been enthralled by, reading authors like Peter van Inwagen and Tom Flint in a Christian context. In the Mahabharata, the eldest of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira, is challenged to a game of dice and loses not just his brothers, but his kingdom, and Draupadi. After being emasculated in this fashion, Yudhishthira and the rest of the Pandavas have no choice but to watch as Draupadi is dragged by her hair into the middle of the court, and as Duryodhana’s brother, Dushasana, attempts to disrobe her. Thankfully, Dushasana is unsuccessful, because Draupadi mentally calls upon Krishna to help her, and he comes to her aid in her moment of need by making the train of her sari infinitely long. Dushasana becomes exhausted and gives up.

This brought a whole host of questions to my mind: did Krishna know all along that Draupadi was going to be disrobed in this fashion? If so, why allow the preceding events to occur and to escalate as they do? If Krishna intervenes here to save Draupadi, but does not intervene at other crucial points throughout the epic, what does this mean for the freeness of our actions and when we can count on God? Is this a #MeToo moment for Draupadi if we think about it in a modern context, or should we see it as a moment of great faith in the protectiveness of God?

It is clear from my consideration of these questions (and more) that Hinduism does in fact broach many of the same questions that concern Christian philosophers. So then, what accounts for my own discounting of my religion as a legitimate philosophical tradition and one deserving of more attention when it comes to analytic theology? I tend to think an unflattering perception of Hinduism is brought about by those who have cheapened its philosophical value by turning its gods and practices into one big aesthetic acid trip of a bohemian music festival. Hinduism cannot be regarded as an intellectual garden bearing real fruit if it is continually associated with millennials (and others) who do yoga, want to open their “third eye,” and who burn incense sticks in front of a pantheon of “hipster-friendly” gods and goddesses.

Hypothetically getting past such prejudices (internalized or otherwise), I wonder: is what it means to be a Hindu philosopher just to consider classically Christian issues like that of omniscience and the problem of evil through a Hindu lens? Furthermore, is it even coherent to think of oneself as being a Hindu philosopher when there is no unified definition of ‘Hindu?’

Here is one rough attempt at an answer: I think what it means to be a Hindu philosopher is to confront the unique challenges that being Hindu poses when doing philosophy. One such challenge might be discerning whether Hinduism is indeed polytheistic or monotheistic in essence—while at the same time grappling with the colonial assumption that monotheism is a theological step above polytheism, and that it constitutes progress. 

I think another tangible way in which someone can class themselves as a Hindu philosopher is a sustained commitment to the concept of “Ahimsa” as they best see fit. Ahimsa is generally translated from the Sanskrit to mean non-violence . In the Mahabharata, Ahimsa is evoked in relation to theories of just war and inter-familial disputes. Another way in which I’ve interpreted the term is an ethical obligation to vegetarianism (and hopefully veganism, at some point). This is, of course, controversial—there are countless people who identify as Hindu who do eat meat. I’m often asked myself if the reason for my vegetarianism stems from my Hinduism. There is no central scripture in Hinduism that tells me or any Hindu explicitly not to eat meat. Nevertheless, I think it is imperative that a Hindu philosopher thinks about pressing questions of ecology and environmental impact. Ours is a religion that says God is in all things, and so we even apologize to Mother Earth when we dance.   It would make sense for a Hindu philosopher to ponder what it means for God to be everywhere, and what this means about how we should treat not just other human beings, but animals, and the planet we live on.

It seems to me that “Ahimsa” is one side of a coin, and “Seva” is the other—and both of these concepts are central to fulfilling one’s dharma as a human person (duty or obligation). “Seva” is translated as ‘selfless service.’ A Hindu philosopher in the academy must be committed to progressive service work that benefits the profession. We must tirelessly dedicate ourselves to aligning ourselves with the cause of justice: if at the very least out of a respect for knowledge. Hinduism is a religion that deeply values learning, education, and knowledge. Hindus cannot even touch our feet to a book or other instruments of learning without asking the Goddess Saraswathi for forgiveness. As such, it is imperative for a Hindu philosopher to actively help to make academic philosophy an open, safe, and respectful environment most conducive to the highest level of teaching and learning. Whether we are junior scholars or tenured professors, we must lead by example and display serious intellectual humility and respect.

These are just some of the ways in which I think a philosopher can be a Hindu philosopher , and not just a philosopher who is incidentally Hindu. As Hindus, we must work from Hinduism for the betterment of the discipline, even if this is difficult given the lack of diversity within the discipline. It is important we start to claim our identities as Hindus, and begin to examine what this identity can or should mean in our endeavors as champions of the examined life.

• Sanjana Rajagopal

Sanjana Rajagopal ( @SanjanaWrites ) is a PhD student in philosophy at Fordham University.

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PhD programs in Indian Philosophy part 2: Europe

This post is the European continuation of Andrew Nicholson’s one . Andrew is also the one who prompted me to write a European list.

Indian philosophy is taught in at least two different places in Europe: (South) Asian (or Oriental or Indological) Studies and —less often— Philosophy departments. The dominant trend of US universities, where Indian philosophy is taught predominantly in Religious Studies departments is only evident in the UK. Departments of Asian Studies, of Oriental Studies or of Indology, often have a philological focus (so that knowing Sanskrit or other relevant languages is strongly recommended, although not compulsory), whereas studying Indian Philosophy in a Philosophy department may imply having to avoid Sanskrit.

Further elements for non-European students and scholars: 1) university fees are by and large very low in Europe (between nothing and 1,500 E per year for full-time students) and in many countries funding is available. 2) the main point of a PhD course in Europe is the final output, i.e., your dissertation. You might have to attend classes (or not), but the main focus should remain the fact of becoming an independent researcher, and this is proved by your ability to write a book on your own. 3) do not choose a certain department on the basis of your expectations to have a career in Indian Philosophy. Write a PhD in Indian Philosophy (only) because you are interested in it. There are little or no SLACs in Europe and in this sense you cannot really plan a career as a university teacher of Indian Philosophy in Europe (you might have a few more chances as a researcher, but this involves being willing and able to do research with others, or alone and to apply for fundings).

Now, a disclaimer: the European landscape of research related to Indian philosophy os variegated. I have surely forgotten many institutions (for instance, as far as I know, there is no one working on Indian philosophy in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta…is this really the case?) and have not been exhaustive in the case of others (for instance, I have been unable to gather exhaustive informations concerning Croatia and Hungary). I rely on readers for emendations and supplements.

The elements which will be listed, beside the universities, are: AOS, whether funding is possible and whether it is possible to write one’s PhD thesis in English. In all cases, no information does not mean that it is impossible, it only means that I have no information about it.

• AUSTRIA (possibility to write a PhD thesis in English)

University of Vienna (Institute of South Asian, Tibetology and Buddhist Studies) Sanskrit philosophy, Āyurveda, Sanskrit philology, Buddhist philosophy, especially Pramāṇavāda and Mādhyamaka, Tibetan philosophy)

• BELGIUM (possibility to write a PhD thesis in English)

Brussel, Vrije Universiteit (Antwerp FVG, Faculty for Comparative Study of Religions) (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Indian Philosophy, especially Vedānta schools, Kaśmīr Śaivism) 2 funding posibilities: FWO (regional) and BOF (university)

Ghent (dept. of languages and cultures of South and East Asia) (Jainism, Buddhism, Indian Philosophy)

Zagreb (Humanities) (Upaniṣads, Vedānta)

• CZECH REPUBLIC

Charles University of Prague (Institute of South and Central Asian Studies) (Philosophy and Literature)

• FRANCE (French needed)

Paris, EPHE (5th section, “Sciences Religieuses”) (Sanskrit philosophy, especially Abhinavagupta and Vedānta), limited possibility for fundings

Paris-I Panthéon Sorbonne (Comparative Indian Philosophy) NO Sanskrit

Lille III (Tantrism)

• GERMANY (special emphasis on Sanskrit texts, so that critical editions (also) of philosophical texts are possible also at other locations) (in all cases below, the universities have an “institute of Indology” or something similar)

Göttingen (Indian religions, including Veda, Pāli, Epics…)

Hamburg (Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Tantrism, Kaśmīrī Śaiva Philosophy, Mahāyāna, Tibetan Buddhism)

Halle (Sanskrit Philosophy, especially Mokṣopāya and Kaśmīrī philosophy)

Heidelberg (Pramāṇavāda)

Leipzig (Sanskrit Philosophy, especially Pramāṇavāda)

Mainz (Buddhist Philology in Central Asia)

Marburg (Śaiva and Kashmirī philosophy, Mokṣopāya, Buddhist Philosophy)

Münich (Buddhism, Tibetan religions)

Budapest, Eötvös Loránd University (dept. of Indo-European Studies) (Sanskrit philology)

• ITALY (possibility to write a PhD thesis in English)

Cagliari University (faculty of Humanities) (Sanskrit philosophy, Vyākaraṇa), full funding for 3 years possible

Milan University (aesthetics), full funding for 3 years possible

Naples University (Oriental Studies) (Sanskrit philosophy, especially Śaivism, Buddhism and Tantrism in general, Sanskrit philology), full funding for 3 years possible

Rome, Sapienza University (Oriental Studies) (Sanskrit Philosophy, especially Śaivism, Pramāṇavāda, Tantrism and Vyākaraṇa, Sanskrit philology), full funding for 3 years possible

Turin University (Oriental Studies) (Indian religions and philosophy, especially Advaita Vedānta and Buddhism), full funding for 3 years possible (1 new funded position every year)

Venice University (Asian and African Studies) (Indian religions and philosophy, especially Vedānta, Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Dharmaśāstra, Sociology of Indian religions), full funding for 3 years possible

• NETHERLANDS

Leiden (Institute for Area Studies) (Buddhist Philosophy)

Krakow (Pedagogical University, dept. of Philosophy) (Indian Philosophy, especially Buddhism, Sāṅkhya, Yoga, contemporary Indian philosophy)

Krakow (Jagiellonian University, dept. of Oriental Studies) (Indian Philosophy, especially early Advaita Vedānta and Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, Vaiṣṇavism)

Poznan (Languages and Literature) (Indian Philosophy, especially ethics)

Warsaw (dept. of South Asian Studies) (Indian Philosophy, especially Jainism, Mīmāṃsā)

• RUSSIA (possibility to write a PhD thesis in English at St. Petersburg)

Moscow (institute of Philosophy) (Indian philosophy, especially Vaiśeṣika)

Moscow (Moscow State University) (Vyākaraṇa, Sanskrit Philology)

Moscow (Russian State University for Humanities) (Jainism, Indian Philology)

St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg State University) (Bhartṛhari, Vyākaraṇa, Buddhism, some Indian philology)

St Petersburg (Institute of Oriental Manuscripts (Buddhist philosophy, Kaśmīri Śaivism, Bhartṛhari, Tibetan Buddhism)

Stockholm (Oriental languages) (Indian Philosophy, especially Nyāya and Buddhism)

• SWITZERLAND (possibility to write a PhD thesis in English)

Lausanne (Section on languages and cultures slavic and of South Asia) (Buddhist studies, contemporary Indian philosophy)

Zürich (Hinduism, contemporary Hinduism, Ethics, Ethics of Medicine)

• UK (much higher fees, up to 4,000 pounds per year) (some possibilities of fundings through the University, the Colleges and private institutions)

Bristol (centre for Buddhist studies) (Theravāda Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, Zen Buddhism)

Cambridge (Asian and Middle Eastern Studies) (Sanskrit Philology, Vyākaraṇa, Mīmāṃsā, Buddhist Studies)

Cambridge (Divinity) (Vedānta)

Cardiff (Religious and Theological Studies) (Buddhist studies and philosophy)

Dundee (Philosophy) NO SANSKRIT

Durham (Philosophy) (Metaphysics and Philosophy of Language, especially in Madhyamaka Buddhism)

Edinburgh (South Asian Studies) (Indian Philosophy, especially Jainism)

Kent (Religious Studies) (Buddhism, Vedānta)

Lancaster (Religious Studies; Philosophy) (Indian Philosophy, especially Vedānta)

Leeds (Theology and Religious Studies) (Sāṅkhya, Pātañjala Yoga)

Liverpool (Philosophy) (Vedānta, contemporary Indian philosophy)

London, King’s College (Philosophy) (logic, epistemology, metaphysics and philosophy of language in India, Greek and modern Western philosophy) NO SANSKRIT

London, SOAS (Religion; South Asia) (Buddhist studies, Tibetan Buddhism, Yoga, Jainism)

Manchester University (Arts, Languages, and Cultures) (Indian philosophy, especially Vedānta)

Oxford (Oriental Studies) (Indian philosophy, especially Vyākaraṇa and Mīmāṃsā, Sanskrit philology, Sanskrit scientific literature)

Oxford (Theology and Religion)

Oxford (one might also want to get in touch with the Oxford Center of Buddhist Studies and the Oxford Center of Hindu studies for external tuition)

Sussex (Philosophy) (Indian Philosophy, especially Nyāya, Vedānta)

York (Philosophy) (Indian ethics and Indian Buddhist philosophy), NO SANSKRIT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I am really obliged to the following people for their help: Daniele Cuneo, Evgeniya Desnitskaya, Camillo Formigatti, Jonardon Ganeri, Marzenna Jakubczak, Gianni Pellegrini, Isabelle Ratié, Agnieszka Rostalska, Alex Watson

(cross-posted on my personal blog )

About elisa freschi

9 replies to “phd programs in indian philosophy part 2: europe”.

I was wondering, who are the current scholars specialized on Kaśmīr Śaivism in Europe?

Dear Gonzalo,

do you need a PhD supervisor or are you looking for good articles to read? Your answer will tell me whether to include people who cannot have PhD students.

I’m looking for a MPhil or a MA program.

Then: Isabelle Ratié (Paris), but you will need to learn French in order to study there. Raffaele Torella (“Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy) Francesco Sferra (“Orientale”, Naples, Italy) Alexis Sanderson (Oxford) would be more than pramanic, but I am afraid he is no longer accepting new students. Pls enquire with him or the university if this holds true also for MPhil students. Best of luck!

Thank you so much!

I just read that the University of Hamburg allows students to pursue a PhD in English and not German. Is this common or uncommon? Are there other schools Germany or France that permit this? I am completing my MA in the US this year and am looking at various PhD programs. My focus is in Samkhya-Yoga and intersections with early Buddhism. Thank yoy.

Yes, this is more than normal in Italy, Austria, the Neatherlands, Germany, Scandinavia and several other European countries. France has an ad hoc regulation, so that you might want to ask directly to the university you are going to apply to. Good luck!

Pingback: The Philosophical Rasika Report: Listings of Ph.D. Programs in Indian Philosophy (Part I: North America)The Indian Philosophy Blog | The Indian Philosophy Blog

Can u please send me titles of phd thesis in mimamsa philosophy to my mail.

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Hindu Studies Foundations

The Hindu Studies Foundations area is a collection of Core Courses, including many Graduate level mandatory courses, required for most graduate degrees. They provide a basic understanding of the central themes and ideas of Hinduism that constitute the common foundations of the great variety of traditions and practices within the umbrella of Sanātana Dharma . This area includes courses in the various primary texts of Hindu Dharma such as the Vedas, Vedānta, Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, the Dharma Shastras and the Systems of Hindu Philosophy called the Ṣaḍ-Darśana.

These courses examine the concept of “Tradition” (i.e. Sampradāyas) as distinct from “Religion”, “Oral” versus “Textual” traditions, and develop insight into the great diversity of forms, expressions, and practices that have emerged within Sanatana Dharma. The mechanism through which Hindu Dharma adapts itself to different places and times, psychologies and dispositions, and manages plurality while enabling a Dharmic life and the unity of thought underlying the seeming diversity of forms and manifestations is explored.

Emphasizing continuity of thought as well as discontinuous developments, this area of study provides a grounded understanding of the Vedic Hindu Civilization and Culture as a living tradition with a unique perspective on the cosmos and our place as humans within it i.e. the Vedic Hindu Cosmology. In addition, the foundations also include some comparative study courses that include a preliminary examination of other world religions and philosophies as well as critical contemporary issues in Hindu Studies. This area of study carefully distinguishes between the Hindu paradigm or cosmology from a western paradigm or cosmology and how each yield different understandings of the same phenomena.

Hindu Dharmic Parenting – Part 1

Bhakti – The Heart of Wisdom – 1

Vedic Chanting – Rudram

Introduction to the vedic chanting – 1.

Shaddarshanas – Introduction to Hindu Philosophy

Certificate Program in Hindu Studies

Discover Dharma – A Study Tour in India

Women in Hinduism

Master of Arts in Hindu Studies

Singing Bhakti Music: From Saints to Synthesizers

Ahimsa and the Art of Nonviolent Communication

Chanakya’s Leadership Principles for the 21st Century

Growing up with the Gita

Methods in the Study of Religion

Research and Writing

Dhyaanam – Meditation and the Meditator

Introduction to Upanishads – Part 2

Introduction to Hindu Philosophy: Shad Darshanas

Introduction to the Vedic Ritual

BODHAK – The Gita Vidya Teacher Training

YOGA – The principles of pure soul in Bhagavad-Gita

GNANA – The principles of sound mind in Bhagavad-Gita

Hindu Contributions To The World In The Realm Of Mind – Living And Lifestyle

Hindu Contributions to the World in the Realm of Mind – Towards Sciences and Arts

Introduction to Hinduism

Field-Based Learning

Writing in the Humanities II

Hindu Contributions to the world in the realm of Matter – Big 5

Svadharma – Discovering and Living our Life Purpose

Distinguishing Varna and Jati from Caste

Discover the contemporary Relevance of Hindu Dharma

Lessons from the Valmiki Ramayana For teens and Parents

Lessons from valmiki ramayana.

Exploring Hinduism – Society and Culture

Exploring Hinduism – Cosmology and Calendar

Exploring Hinduism – Divinities and Dharma

Exploring Hinduism – Geography and History

Self-knowledge and the quest for Happiness

Sri Aurobindo and Sanatana Dharma

Orientation to Hindu Studies

Introduction to writing in the humanities.

Upanishadic Dialogues: Philosophical Reflections

Introduction to Dvaita, Advaita and Vishishtadvaita systems of Vedanta

Gita Vidya Teachers Training Certificate

Graduate Academic Writing Seminar Intensive

Certificate in Hindu Civilizational Studies

Introduction to Upanishads – Part 1

Understanding Hinduphobia

Hindu Contributions to the world in the realm of matter – Game Changer

Ramayana for Excellence in Management and Leadership

Upanishadic Dialogues – I: The Chandogya Upanishad

Reason and Revelation in Hindu Philosophy

DEHA – The principles of sound body in Bhagavad Gita

Introduction to Bhagavadgita

Advaita Vedanta: A Method

Freedom and Reality: An Introduction to Advaita Vedanta

Comparative Religion: Death and Meaning

Research and Writing Preparatory Seminar

Experience Incredible India

The vision of the bhagavad-gītā.

The Foundation of Vedānta

Ancient Greek Philosophy

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

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MA in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma)

Over the millennium, the ancient seers, saints living across the river Sindhu made intuitive realisation of the eternal spiritual truth (satya). They visualised the core principles which governs the world causing material as well as spiritual progress of every living being known as dharma .

जगतःस्थितिकारणंप्राणिनांसाक्षात्अभ्युदयनिःश्रेयसहेतुर्यः स धर्मः ।

– (Śaṅkarācārya in his commentary on the Bhagavadgītā)

The core and eternal principles known as the Sanātana dharma, the mighty edifice of the Indian civilisation is manifested and transmitted both orally and textually within a variety of knowledge traditions and practices. The study of such rich oral as well as textual traditions and practices is the kernel of Hindu study. Different streams of the Hindu studies are like the branches of a single living tree of Indian culture, thought, ritual, and spirituality.

The course has been envisioned, designed and structured by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Sunaina Singh. It is uniquely designed to grasp the rich spiritual as well as intellectual system of the Hindus – a distinctively interdisciplinary system where the textual and the oral, the verbal and the visual, the scientific and the metaphysical, the transcendental and the functional are interlocked as parts of a whole. (Kapila Vatsyayana in Kalātattvakośa)

• Introduction to the Vedas: Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda, and Atharvaveda
• Introduction to Major & Minor Upaniṣads
• Introduction to Itihāsa texts: The Rāmāyaṇa & the Mahābhārata
• Introduction to Purāṇa texts: Viṣṇu Purāṇa, and Agni Purāṇa
• Ethics in Hindu Philosophy
• Fundamentals of Hindu Philosophy
• The Bhagavadgītā and understanding of the ‘Self’
• Puruṣārthas: Goals of Human Life
• The Yogasūtra of Patañjali: Theory and Practice
• Studying the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharatamuni (first chapter)
• Basic Tenets of Major Upaniṣads: Chāndogya Upaniṣad & Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad
• Ancient Knowledge Tradition
• Philosophy of Language: Introduction to Mahābhāṣya and Vākyapadīyam
• Study of Pañcatantra
• Poets & Philosophers of highest awakening
• Capsules of Knowledge: Sūtra, Vārtika & Bhāṣya (Commentaries)
• Study of Smṛti texts: The Yājñavalkya Smṛti
• The Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya
• Study of Vedanta Philosophy with Śaṅkarācārya, Rāmānujacārya, Madhvācārya and Sadānanda
• Mastering Sanskrit Language
• Seminar Course
• Dissertation

Mandate The two-year MA in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma) will

• Attempt to retrieve the resource pool of knowledge on Hindu dharma and its spiritual traditions.
• Provide an overview of spiritual Hindu literatures and basic tenets therein.
• Introduce the major and minor texts along with select fundamental commentaries.
• Provide an opportunity to develop the specialization in any stream of Hindu Studies.
• Foreground the relevance of the Hindu Studies in the contemporary changing world order.

Outcome of the Programme

A student with a MA in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma) shall – Develop a good understanding of foundational principles underlying Hindu spiritual traditions and culture.

Course Curriculum

• 10 Core courses equivalent to 30 credits (3 X 10)
• 7 Electives equivalent to 21 credits (3 X 7)
• 4 Reading Seminar courses equivalent to 4 credits (1 X 4)
• Dissertation equivalent to 9 credits

Total: 64 credits

Semester I: Foundation Courses

• 4 Core courses
• 1 Reading Seminar

Semester – I (Foundational Courses): 16 credits 4 Core Courses:(3 Credits Each)

Core Courses:

• Introduction to Itihāsa: The Rāmāyaṇa & the Mahābhārata
• Introduction to Purāṇa texts: Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Agni Purāṇa & Bhāgavata-purāṇa

1 Elective Course (3 Credits Each) (Students may choose one of the following

• Sanskrit Language-1 (compulsory)
• Ethics in Hindu Philosophy: Puruṣārthas, Varṇas and Āśramas
• Tenets of Indian Philosophy: Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism
• SHS/SLLH/SMS/SEES (Courses from other schools in the cafeteria model)
• Critical Thinking (Extra Credit Course)

Seminar-I (1 Credit)

Semester II: Bridge Courses

• 3 Core courses
• 2 Electives

Semester – II (Bridge Courses): 16 credits

3 Core Courses: (3 Credits Each)

• Fundamentals of Hindu Philosophy: Six Darśanas Sāṁkhya, Yoga, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Mīmāṁsā & Vedānta
• The Bhagavadgītā: the concept of Dharma, the path of Knowledge, devotion, and the idea of sthitaprajña
• Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa: Textual and Thematic Study

2 Elective Courses: (3 Credits Each) (Students may choose two of the following)

• Mastering Sanskrit Language (Level 2)
• Studying the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharata: The Indian Tradition of Performing Arts

1 Seminar (1 Credit)

Semester III: Advanced Courses

• 2 Core courses
• 3 Electives

Semester – III (Advanced Courses): 16 credits 2 Core Courses: (3 Credits Each)

Core Courses

• Tenets of Major Upaniṣads: Chāndogya Upaniṣad & Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad
• Sources of Indian Knowledge Tradition: Sūtra, Vārtika & Bhāṣya (Commentaries)

3 Elective Courses (3 Credits each) (Students may choose three of the following

• Study of Vedānta: Śaṅkarācārya, Rāmānujacārya, Madhvācārya
• Study of Pañcatantra: Capsules of Life Lessons
• Indian Aesthetics- Rasa Theory
• Indian Philosophy of Language: Introduction to Patañjali’s Mahābhāṣya and Bhartṛhari’s Vākyapadīya
• Hindu Cosmology and Astronomy

Semester – IV (Specialised Courses): 16 credits 1 Core Course (3 Credits)

Core Course

• Introduction to Dharmaśāstra: Selected portions from Gautama, Manu and Yājñavalkya

1 Elective Courses (3 Credits) (Students may choose one of the following

• Select Major Thinkers of Ancient India: Brahmagupta, Āryabhaṭṭa, Varāhamihira Bhāskara, Bāṇabhaṭṭa and Abhinavagupta
• Nāgārjuna and the concept of Śūnyatā
• Sanskrit Language- 4

1 Seminar (1 Credit) 1 Dissertation (9 Credits)

The students may accumulate additional credits to their existing bank of credits as per University rules.

• Programme Details

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Books and Journals in Humanities, Social Science and Performing Arts

Ankur Barua [ + – ]

University of cambridge.

This introductory text points to some of the diverse tapestries of Hindu worldviews where scriptural revelation, logical argumentation, embodied affectivity, moral reasoning, and aesthetic cultivation constitute densely interwoven conceptual threads. It begins with an exploration of some classical iterations of the quest for a fundamental ontology amidst the diversities of the everyday world. This quest is often embedded in both a diagnosis of the human condition as structured by suffering and a therapy for recovery from worldly fragmentation. A crucial aspect of this therapeutic structure is the analysis of the means of knowledge and the categories of reality, since in order to know the nature of the world one must proceed along truth-tracking routes. Such dynamic mind-world encounters are mediated through language, and Hindu philosophical texts extensively discuss the motif of whether or not deep reality can be comprehended through linguistic structures. These philosophical exercises also shape reflections on themes such as aesthetics, social organization, the meaning of life, and so on. As Hinduism increasingly migrates to western locations through practices of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, and along with sensibilities relating to vegetarianism, ecology, and pacifism, we encounter multiple translations of these classical motifs relating to the self, language, and consciousness.

Series : Global Philosophy

Table of Contents

Introduction

New Books Network Interview   (July 13, 2023)

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Philosophy, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Philosophy

General areas of research include ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of law, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, philosophy of religion and the history of philosophy. The program features a focus on practical and applied philosophy and an interdisciplinary coursework component related to the student's research topic.

Practical philosophy includes the fields of ethics, philosophy of law, social and political philosophy, feminist ethics and political philosophy.

Applied philosophy includes the application of theories developed within any of the subdisciplines of philosophy to everyday problems or phenomena, such as the application of the philosophy of language in relation to hate speech, or the philosophy of mind in relation to computing and artificial intelligence. Applied philosophy also includes the application of research produced by methods used in other disciplines in order for the student to understand and address philosophical questions, like the application of data-gathering instruments used in psychology to answer questions in experimental philosophy.

Students may design dissertation projects in any of the major subfields of philosophy. For their interdisciplinary coursework supporting the dissertation project, students might, for example, pursue a certificate in social transformation, gender studies, responsible innovation in sciences, or engineering and society.

Members of the faculty are involved in interdisciplinary work in a variety of fields and enjoy close ties with the Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics, the College of Law and a number of other graduate programs at the university. The ASU philosophy faculty group sponsors an active colloquium series and regular philosophical conferences on diverse topics. The Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics also sponsors a wide range of activities, including large-scale conferences, distinguished visitors and support for graduate study.

Degree Requirements

Curriculum plan options.

• 84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core Areas (15 credit hours) applied philosophy (3) epistemology (3) formal methods (3) metaphysics (3) value theory (3)

Electives (39 credit hours)

Research (18 credit hours) PHI 792 Research (12)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) PHI 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for the list of courses approved for each required core area.

In completing the electives requirements, at least nine credit hours and no more than 18 credit hours must be from other disciplines supporting the student's proposed dissertation area; 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree may apply toward this requirement with approval by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College.

To ensure breadth in the traditional areas of philosophy, students must pass with a grade of "B" or better (3.00 on a 4.00 scale).

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• statement of purpose
• curriculum vitae
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency , a copy of an article or research paper in their native or principal research language, as well as the English writing sample required of all students regardless of their current residency. The philosophy program requires a TOEFL iBT score of at least 100, or a score of 7.0 on the IELTS.

The statement of purpose should explain the applicant's scholarly background and training, career goals, the primary field the applicant wishes to pursue and the proposed research specialization (no more than 600 words in length).

The writing sample must be a piece of philosophical writing, preferably a seminar paper or published article of no more than 20 pages.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

• Achieve competence with philosophical literature and writing
• Achieve professional-level skills in mastering literature and philosophical writing
• Able to identify and articulate a philosophical problem or question in one of the core areas in philosophy --- that is, metaphysics, epistemology and value theory

Career Opportunities

Both the MA and doctoral programs in philosophy help students develop and hone skills that are highly marketable and easily transferable.

Philosophy teaches its students to think critically, creatively and imaginatively. Though routine jobs are increasingly being lost to advances in automation and artificial intelligence, the skills taught by philosophy are irreplaceable by technology, highly sought-after by employers and transferrable from one occupation to another. Graduates have the ability to read closely and with a critical eye; to analyze complex problems and identify all the possible solutions, including some creative solutions; to assess the merits of each possible solution; and to articulate and argue for or against various possible solutions in clear, precise and unambiguous language.

As philosophy focuses on honing certain skills rather than acquiring a particular body of knowledge, philosophy prepares its students for a wide variety of careers rather than for just one particular occupation. Indeed, philosophy prepares its students for any career requiring problem-solving; clear, critical and creative thinking; and excellent reading, writing and communication skills.

The program is designed to prepare students for careers as philosophers, as teachers of philosophy and in areas in which they may benefit from advanced training in philosophy, such as law, civil service and publishing.

Career examples include:

• businessperson
• computer programmer
• public policy analyst

Global Experience

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-5778

From left to right: Stanford University Religious Studies PhD students: Grace Ramswick, Yi (Allan) Ding, Daniel Tuzzeo, and Simon Wiles. Photo credit: Irene Lin

Doctoral Degree Program

The Department of Religious Studies offers a doctoral degree in the field of Buddhist Studies. The program encompasses Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese Buddhism in their historical and cultural contexts. Training emphasizes research in primary sources and requires reading knowledge of the languages relevant to the area of specialization. The field recognizes a wide range of approaches to the understanding of Buddhism. Students are encouraged to design their own courses of study, to explore a variety of academic disciplines, and to undertake independent research.

Requirements

The doctoral program at Stanford requires three years of course work, subfield qualifying examinations, and the dissertation. In addition, students in Religious Studies work closely with a faculty member to develop and teach a course in the department and to prepare a paper for publication in their field. For further information on the Religious Studies doctoral program, see  Religious Studies  or contact the department's graduate student administrator, Jill Covington, at 650-723-2548,  jillj [at] stanford.edu (jillj[at]stanford[dot]edu) .

Admission to the doctoral program in Buddhism does not require a master's degree; it does require background in at least one of the major canonical languages of the Buddhist tradition (Sanskrit or Pali, Tibetan, Chinese or Japanese). Religious Studies typically admits three or four doctoral students each year and, at any one time, has about twenty-five students in the program. Buddhist Studies applicants compete with all other applicants in the field of religious studies for openings in the department each year. Applications are typically due in December for admission in the autumn of the subsequent academic year . For further information on admission, contact the Department of Religious Studies graduate student administrator, Jill Covington, at 650-723-2548,  jillj [at] stanford.edu (jillj[at]stanford[dot]edu) ; for application forms, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions, Old Union 141, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 (phone: 650-723-4291).

Prospective applicants in Buddhist Studies are encouraged to contact relevant faculty members to discuss their plans: John Kieschnick:  kiesch [at] stanford.edu (kiesch[at]stanford[dot]edu) ; Paul Harrison:  paulh1 [at] stanford.edu (paulh1[at]stanford[dot]edu) ; Michaela Mross:  mmross [at] stanford.edu (mmross[at]stanford[dot]edu) ; James Duncan Gentry: jdgentry [at] stanford.edu (jdgentry[at]stanford[dot]edu)

Doctoral students in Religious Studies receive a five-year funding package that includes full fees, tuition, and stipend. Additional funding is available through FLAS grants and research assistantships. The HCBSS maintains a small fund to provide occasional grants for student research and travel expenses.