About MP.V
Mahapanya Vidayalai College (MPV) is located across from the Hatyai Campus of the Prince of Songkhla University. The giant Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha statue and the Nine-stairs Peace Pagoda are the landmark structures of MPV and they are noticeable from anywhere in Hatyai.
MPV was founded by His Hollines Mahakanamdhammpanyathiwat Chareon Saeboo, the Supreme Patriarch of Anamnikaya (Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand), with the gracious support of His Holliness Somdet Phrabuddhacaya, the Supreme Patriarch of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand in 2002 (B.E. 2545). Hence, MPV represents a remarkable collaboration and unity between Mahayana and Theravada Schools of Buddhism in Thailand, the Land of Heartfelt Smiles. During the Ratanakosin dynasty, Anamnikaya Sangha of Vietnam journeyed and propagated the Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand. His Majesty the King Rama V recognized and bestowed Anamnikaya the legality and the title of nobility, under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Patriarchs of Thailand,
Today, the Anamnikaya Sangha tradition, is cherished so highly and preserved mostly by Thai people of Chinese origin. The Supreme Patriarch of Anamnikaya (Somdet Mahakanamdhammpanyathiwat Chareon Saeboo), always regarded the study and practice as the key to thriving Buddhism. Hence, he has sacrificed his entire life to pass on the values and practices of Buddhism through educational sanctuaries. In B.E. 2532, he founded Kusonsamakron Vidayalai (school) in Bangkok, and constructed a seven-story teaching-block at the cost of over 30M Baht. Next, he raised 15M Baht for educational funding. He once addressed: “In my life, I must be able to see the establishment of a Buddhist University. I have been planning for it more than 40 years.” Soon after, his plan almost got realized when an internal Anamikaya meeting approved his proposal to set up a Buddhist university at Anamnikayaram Temple, Bangkok. Had it not been that the Abbot of Anamnikayaram Temple had other priorities, the establishment of a university in this venue would have been such an ideal location. It could have attracted lots of international students and locally, Chaophaya River flowing next to the temple would have furnished both land and water convenience. The plan was grounded to a halt but undeterred by it the Supreme Patriarch kept on searching for an alternative location until he found the present venue. Determined to materialize the proposal, the Supreme Patriarch of Anamnikaya consulted about the establishment of MPV to His Holliness Samdet Phrabuddhacarya. This resulted in convention between the MCU officials and the representatives of Anamnikaya on March 5, 2002 (B.E.2545) at Wat Sraket, Bangkok. The convention was organized by MCU and graciously co-chaired by His Holliness Samdet Phrabuddacarya and the His Holliness Samdet Mahakanamdhammpanyathiwat Chareon Saeboo.
At conclusion, it was agreed to establish the proposed center based in Wat Thawornwararam, Hatyai, Songkhla. It was further ruled that the upcoming institute will be affiliated to and its academic curriculum be monitored by MCU. At the launch of this institute on June 10, 2002, His Holliness Somdet Phrabuddhacaryai bestowed the name of Mahayana Vidayalai (MPV). With a well-researched curriculum provided by MCU, the MPV’s academic session kicked off ambitiously while using English as the medium of instruction. It is one of the far-sighted objectives of the institute to facilitate monks, novices as well as lay people to study, practice, and spread the Dharma more universally by becoming communicable in English. The enrolled students go through a series of programs and in-field trainings, and all its study ethics are maintained in parallel with secular colleges. The graduates are awarded the certificates of B.A. degree with a major in Mahayana Buddhism.
As MPV fledged its wings realistically, the Supreme Patriarch of Anamikaya appointed his secretary the most Venerable Ongpotjanagongosol as the Supreme administrator to supervise all issues regarding the development of MPV. Since then the most Venerable Ongpotjanagongosol has worked tirelessly for the upbringing of MPV and he has went as far as mobilizing state-of-the-art teaching gears and study materials either through his overseas interaction or association with the Sangha communities of Singapore, China, Taiwan, Vietnam. Today, MPV, stands as the first institute for higher Buddhist studies approved by the Provincial Government of Hat Yai
Mahapanya Vidayalai (MPV) is an affiliated institute of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and it offers Bachelor of Arts Degree Program in Buddhist Studies.
