Introduction to Department of

Oriental Studies

U Paing Hmuu Thu

Tutor
Department of Oriental Studies
University of Yangon
 The oriental studies, (Pāḷi) specialty was opened and taught in Yangon College in 1884,
before Yangon University was established which has been now 136 years old.
´ Pāḷi is a language that can encompass the entire structure of Burmese culture such as
religious belief, literature and traditions customs of Burmese people since Bagan period to
today.
´ Although the origin where Pāḷi language flourished can be indicated as India, it has a great
influence on world language and literature.
´ During the reign of colonial governence, British government encouraged teaching Pāḷi with
reasonable interest as they knew well the influence of Pāḷi on the Burmese people.
´ They initiated by making Pāḷi which was taught only in monasteries in the past as a
compulsory subject in government high schools, college and university.
Background History of Department of Oriental Studies

Rangoon College’s Pāḷi Department (1884 - 1920)

• The British government established Yangon College in a corporation with

Yangon High School in 1884 -1885 and awarded degrees of B.A, B.Sc, B.A
(Hons:) and B.Sc (Hons:) in English, Pāḷi, Philosophy, Mathematics,
Chemistry and Physics.
Department of Oriental Studies in the Rangoon University (1920 - 1941)

´ The Rangoon University was established by the merger of Rangoon College and
Jackson College on December 1, 1920.

´ The name of Rangoon College’s Pāḷi Department became the name of

“Department of Oriental Studies" at the Rangoon University.

´ It offers Myanmar literature and Persian language apart from Pāḷi language.

´ During World War II, in the 1940s, the Department of Oriental Studies came to an
end due to the War.
Department of Pāḷi at the Rangoon University (1946 - 1970)

´ When the universities reopened in 1946 after World War II, the former "Department of
Oriental Studies" became the ”Department of Pāḷi”

´ Experts were hired from India on a contract basis to teach Sanskrit and Prakrit.

Department of Buddhist Scriptures at the Rangoon University (1952)

´ According to the decision of the Senate of the Rangoon University in 1951, the Department
of Buddhist Scriptures was opened incorporate with the Department of Pāḷi.

´ In 1952, Buddhist Philosophy (Abhidhammā) has been taught as a subject at the Rangoon
University.
Department of Oriental Studies (1972)

´ In 1956, Department of Oriental Studies was kept to offer Pāḷi specialization

only at Mandalay University of Arts and Science, only students specializing
in Myanmar were allowed to be taught only as a supporting subject at
Rangoon University of Arts and Science.

´ However, since 1972, the Department of Paāḷi has been renamed as the
“Department of Oriental Studies" to this day.
What does the Department of Oriental Studies
offer?
´ Department of Oriental Studies of some of the world leading universities
offer the aspects related to the East of the world. especially the language,
literature, history, archeology religion, culture, philosophy and social
studies.
´ Courses prescribed by Oriental Studies Departments in the universities
around Myanmar can mainly be divided into:
i. Language
ii. Literature, and
iii. Culture.
Language • Especially focused on Grammar and linguistics of Pāḷi, Sanskrit and Prakrit.
• Philology, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics are taught under
linguistics heading.

Literature • Pāḷi Literature of Canonical & Non-canonical, Sanskrit literature, Prakrit

literature, Pali Prosody
• Epigraphy, Nīti literature, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Ethics, Buddhist
Psychology, Ancient Indian Philosophy
Culture • Buddhist Culture, Buddhist traditional and Seasonal Festivals
• Buddhist Art & Architecture, Indian and Southeast Asian Buddhist
architectural artifacts and visual arts,
• History of Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, Spread of Buddhism to
Myanmar and Southeast Asia countries, Ancient Indian History
Vision and Mission

Vision
´ To promote the essence of Buddhism and nurture human resources with
intelligent, innovative thinking and moral character.
´ To discover various resources available for studying Buddhism in a wide
range of social contexts in accordance with the needs of the modern world.

´ To produce highest-quality intellectuals and professionals, providing the

necessity of the age of education needed for the socio-economic
development of the country.
Mission
´ The Department of Oriental Studies to be at the forefront of the university
field as an institution that can meet the needs of human society in
accordance with globalization.

´ To create friendship and mutual cooperation with universities from other

countries around the world.

´ To develop academic curriculum aligned with international curricula by

utilizing modern approaches and research strategies.
What is the Department of Oriental Studies performing?

´ The University of Yangon in 2000 and Mandalay University in 2006 opened

doctoral courses in Oriental Studies and produced doctoral graduates.

´ The University of Yangon in 2003 and Mandalay University in 2012 opened Post
Graduate Diploma course in Oriental Studies.

´ It is taught Oriental Studies as an elective course for Myanmar Language, English

History, Philosophy, Archeology, Law in various universities around Myanmar

´ It is also taught as a supplementary subject in tourist guide training courses required

for the hotel and tourism industry.