About MPV
Overview
Mahapanya Vidayalai is a recently established institute, under the auspices of the TheravadaSangha and the Mahayana Annam Elders of Thailand.At the moment,Mahapanya Vidayalaiisoffering a bachelor degree program in Buddhist Studies, using English as medium of instruction. The college is currently affiliated with Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University. All successful graduates will be awarded a B.A. degree therefrom.
Mahapanya Vidayalai was launched in 2002 (BE 2545), emphasizing on her objective to cultivate mankind’s wisdom with aid of Buddha Dhamma and to lead them into the realm of peace and bliss. MPV has already started with the Faculty of Buddhist Study, accommodating students from both overseas and local.
Upon launching, MPV has clearly stated within her plan to provide teachings on Buddha Dhamma and emphasize the teaching both theoretically and practically. MPV has organized meditation courses for students which enable students to practice Buddha Dhamma through the actual practice. With long and ceaseless promotion on these courses coupled with their academic curriculum, students would then be able to master the right skill and knowledge to propagate Buddha Dhamma through both theoretical and practical ways and hence, promote the efficiency in educating the commonality.
Objectives
In favor of attaining international standards and accomplishing the objective and missions, MPV formulated her first five-year development plan (2002-2006). This plan is drafted with the assistance of nearly 200 monks and laymen professors from all fields. Their suggestions were bound, analyzed and made compilation into a major objective and seven missions.
The objective of MPV is, applying the doctrine of Buddha as the basis, adopting Asia as the central of development, embracing the peace and harmony of human?s society as her development of Buddhist undertakings uninterruptedly.
Historical Background
MPV (Mahapanya Vidayalai) was founded by the chief patriarch of Anamikaya (below photo right), in collaborated by both Mahayana and Theravada Schools of Buddhism, with the support of His Eminence, Somdet Phrabuddhacarya(below photo left).
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During the Ratanakosin Dynasty, Anamikaya Sangha started traveling from Vietnam to Thailand and propagated Buddhism here. Till constitutional monarchy, King Rama the fifth bestowed Anamikaya the legality and the title of nobility, under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Patriarch in Thailand. However, there are only Thai and Chinese ordained as Anamikaya Sangha at present.
The chief patriarch of Anamikaya places very high importance in education and has sacrifice his entire life in educational works. In the year B.E. 2532, he founded Kusonsamakorn Vidayalai School and soon constructed a seven-storeyed teaching block at a total cost of more than thirty million baht. Next, he raised a total of fifteen millions baht for the use of educational funding. He has once said: ?In my lifetime, I must be able to see the establishment of the Buddhist University which is within my forty years of planning.? Later, his proposal to set up a Buddhist university at Anamikayaram Temple, Bangkok was affirmed during the Anamikayaram Temple meeting. This is an ideal venue for establishing a university because Anamikayaram Temple is located next to Chaophaya River that furnishes both land and water convenience. However, the abbot of this temple refused to co-operate. Since then, this plan was forced to a halt but our chief patriarch was still in search for a new location unceasingly.
In launching MPV, chief patriarch of Anamikaya is keeping with absolute faith. After discussing with His Eminence, Somdet Phrabuddhacarya about instituting MPV, a conference was convened by MCU (Mahachulalongkorn Rajvidayalai) and the representatives of Anamikaya on 5th March 2002 (B.E. 2545) at Wat Sraket, Bangkok.
This conference was presided cover by His Eminence, Somdet Phrabuddhacarya, and was concluded that the university to be launched at the affiliated land of Wat Thawornwararam, Hat Yai, Songkhla, which has been bestowed the name of Mahapanya Vidayalai by His Eminence, Somdet Phrabuddhacarya!
Since then, Chief patriarc h of Anamika ya has assigned his secretar y Venerab le Ongpotj anagong osol the chief Adminis trator to supervise all issues with regards to the developing of MPV. Venerable Ongpotjanagongosol hence, started associating with members of Sangha oversea like Singapore, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and so on to foster the establishment of MPV and also to act and abide with the all the procedures of MCU’s constitution.
The prior objective of MPV is to furnish higher education for both local and foreign Sangha. The university started the first academic term on 10th June 2002 (BE 2524) with students from China, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan and the local, using English as the teaching media for all subjects.
MPV’s five-year Development Plan
In order to develop the university systematically, a working seminar on the “First Five-year Development Plan for MPV” was convoked dated 12th December 2002 at the conference room of Hat Yai City College, offered by the founder, Praneet Didyasarin. This congress was presided over by His Eminence, Somdet Phrabuddhacarya, and the Rector of MCU, most Venerable Phra Tepsophon gave a special lecture: “The principles ofdeveloping Buddhist Universities”. During the seminar, representatives from various institutions also voiced out their precious ideas and suggestions. With all these inputs, MPV lumps, edits and binds them into the first Five-year Development Plan.
During this conference, Thailand Broadcasting Company conducted a direct broadcasting whereas Thailand Television Station-Channel 11 also telecast this memorable event as their special program. This is the noteworthy trademark of MPV in emerging into the Buddhist Circles. The First Five-year Development Plan is the quintessence of wisdom by professors from all fields and becomes the guide book that leads MPV in development to attain international standard.