About Samrat Ashok Subharti School of Buddhist Studies
The Samrat Ashok Subharti School of Buddhist Studies (SASSBS) was founded in 2018 under the visionary leadership of Dr. Shalya Raj, Chief Executive Officer of SVSU, and Dr. Heero Hito, Advisor and Founding Director. The school emerged as a pioneering academic institution dedicated to promoting Pāḷi, Buddhist Studies, and Indian Knowledge Systems at both national and international levels.
SASSBS was launched with active participation from monastics and scholars representing 13 countries, marking a historical milestone in Buddhist education in Western Uttar Pradesh. The presence of a 115-year-old Bodhi Tree within the campus, a symbol of spiritual continuity, enhances its sacred academic atmosphere.
Offering programs such as a B.A. (Hons) in Pāḷi,an M.A. in Pāḷi, an M.A. in Buddhist Studies, a Ph.D. in Pāḷi, Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies, and Certificate Courses in Pāḷi Language, Vipassanā Meditation, and Brāhmī Script, SASSBS is dedicated to academic excellence, interfaith dialogue, and cultural preservation. It is also actively involved in national conferences, international collaborations, and community outreach initiatives.
About Tathagat Buddha Chair
The Tathagat Buddha Chair, established under the auspices of Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, functions as an academic and research unit within the Samrat Ashok Subharti School of Buddhist Studies. It was instituted to foster advanced research, teaching, and dissemination of the teachings of the Buddha, especially through the study of the Pāḷi language, canonical texts, and comparative Buddhist philosophy.
The Chair aims to revive India’s ancient contribution to Buddhist scholarship and global peace by encouraging interdisciplinary studies, translating rare Buddhist texts, organizing national and international seminars, and publishing scholarly research. It also plays a key role in mentoring young scholars and promoting digital initiatives in Buddhist learning.
Under the guidance of the university’s academic leadership, the Tathāgat Buddha Chair continues to promote Dhamma-based education, mindfulness, social harmony, and intercultural engagement in line with India’s global vision of peace and cultural diplomacy. Read more
