OpenFieldDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Buddhist Studies and Social Philosophy
Three-year doctoral program providing rigorous philological, historical, and ethical analysis of Mahayana and Shinshu Buddhist thought and its application to modern social welfare.
Application checklist & requirements
These requirements reflect published university guidelines available at the last review. Review official department guidelines before submission.
- Academic degree / Prerequisites
- Master's degree in Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, or Religious History with high academic honors.
- English language proficiency
- JLPT N1 and proficiency in reading Classical Chinese (Kanbun) and Buddhist canonical texts.
- Standardized testing (GRE/GMAT)
- Not applicable for Japanese religious studies doctorates.
- Thesis / Research statement
- Master's thesis and 4,000-character doctoral research proposal on Shinshu Buddhist thought or social ethics.
- Recommendation letters
- Two letters of recommendation from recognized Buddhist studies scholars.
How much will it cost? How much funding is available?
- Financial support / stipend
- Supervised doctoral training with departmental teaching assistantships and research bursaries
- Application fee
- ¥35,000 doctoral examination fee
- Tuition / joining costs
- ¥680,000 annual doctoral tuition with merit reduction options
Dates and verification
- Application deadline
- 20 January 2027 (Spring 2027 Doctoral Admissions)
- Last source review
- 2026-10-15
Important verification note
Facts reflect official Doho University documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Admissions, funding allocations, and eligibility thresholds are evaluated by the university.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue