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Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
(MCU) was established by His Majesty the King Chulalongkorn the Great in
BE 2430/CE 1887. It was located at Wat Mahadhatu, formerly known as
“Mahadhatuvidyalaya”. Mahadhatuvidyalaya offered classes of studies for
the first time in BE 2432/CE1889
On September 13, 1896, His Majesty King
Chulalongkorn the great, raised the status of Mahathat Witthahayalai to
that of a royal college, under the title of
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya (Mahachulalongkorn Royal College), aimed
at providing Tipitaka studies, and higher education, not only for monks
and novices, but also for laypeople.
On January 9, 1947, the chief abbot of
Wat Mahathat, Phra Phimonlatham (Choi Thanadhatta thera), assembled
fifty-seven senior monks of the Mahanikaya sect at Somdet’s residence of
Wat Mahathat to draft a new curriculum featuring Buddhist studies along
university lines, which survives, with modifications, to the present day.
On July 18, 1947, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya
opened a primary school and, two years later, a secondary school. This
was followed, in 1950, by the establishment of a faculty of Buddhist
Studies at the undergraduate level.
On May 16, 1969,
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya under royal patronage was officially
recognized by the Supreme Sangha Council as an educational institution
for the Thai Sangha, located at Wat Mahathat.
On June 7, 1978,
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya under royal patronage began regional
expansion, by establishing a new campus in the Nong Khai province. By
now, there are ten Campuses, along with seven Buddhist Colleges, seven
Affiliated Institutes, ten Extended Classrooms, and eighteen Academic
Service Units.
On September 27, 1984, the Thai
Government issued a royal decree to according Bachelor degrees awarded by
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya under royal patronage equal status to
those awarded by state universities.
On September 21, 1997, the National Assembly
of Thailand enacted a royal Act of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya
University to the effect that the University should become a legal entity
under the supervision of the state.
On July 9, 1999, the
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University executive committee had an
audience with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of
Thailand. His Royal Highness granted to the University the title deeds to
approximately thirty-three acres at Lam Sai sub-district, Wang Noi
district, Ayutthaya province, that had been donated by Dr. Ratsami and
Khun Ying Sompong Wannisson.
On December 13, 1999, His Royal Highness
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn laid the foundation-stone of the new University
main campus at Lam Sai sub-district, Wang Noi district, Ayutthaya
province and, during the following year, the construction of the new main
campus was initiated by the Rector, Phra Dharmakosajarn (Prayoon
Dhammacitto) and the executive committee of the University. At present,
due to acquisition of further land, the site consists of some one hundred
and twenty-nine acres.
On February 23, 2001,
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University formed affiliation with several
institutes, starting the Buddhist Dongguk Chonbob College in South Korea.
At present, there are six overseas Affiliated Institutes of the
University.
On October 1, 2008, the University
relocated from Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Sudaram to the new main campus at
Lam Sai sub-district, Wang Noi district, Ayutthaya province.
On December 3, 2010, opening ceremony
of the University main campus is presided over by His Royal Highness
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, at Lam Sai sub-district, Wang Noi
district, Ayutthaya province.
Philosophy
The leading center of Buddhist education integrating Buddhism
with modern sciences for the good of
social and mental development.
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Vision
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Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya
University has strong intention to be an international center of
Buddhist and philosophical education and research. And to produce
graduates with Buddhist academic excellence who also have the ability
to apply Buddhist knowledge to the sciences, having also respectable
conduct, curiosity, spiritual and intellectual leadership,
problem-solving abilities, faithfulness and dedication towards
Buddhism, self-sacrifice for the good of society, understanding of
social changes and with a vision of the potential to further develop
themselves.
Mission
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University has four missions:
To
produce and develop its graduates with nine desirable
characteristics:
M –
Morality
A –
Awareness
H –
Helpfulness
A –
Ability
C –
Curiosity
H –
Hospitality
U –
Universality
L –
Leadership
A – Aspiration
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To conduct
research that develops a body of knowledge along with the learning
and teaching processes, whilst also emphasizing Tipitaka knowledge
through interdisciplinary means and applying that knowledge to solve
moral problems in society. It is also important to develop Buddhist
academics.
To
promote Buddhism and academic service within society through the
improvement of various activities helpful for serving the work of the
Sangha. Promoting greater knowledge and understanding will cultivate
a deeper sense of moral responsibility in people. By organizing
meetings, seminars and conduct training sessions in religion and
teacher development for ordained and lay personnel, will help to
uphold and propagate Buddhism as well as teaching mind-development.
To
promote and develop learning resources for preserving arts and culture
suitable for study, and to raise awareness and pride in Thai
tradition and culture which will also serve to support local wisdom
as a basis of personal and social development.
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