Ryukoku University has a rich history that dates as far back as 1639 when it was established as a Buddhist institution of high education for monks. In 1788 the institution was burned down in a city fire but was restored in 1792. In 1905 the institution was renamed Bukkyo Daigaku (Buddhist College). It was granted university status in 1922 and became Ryukoku University.
The university is divided into nine faculties, which specialise in humanities, economics, international studies, advanced science and technology, business administration, sociology, law, agriculture, and policy science. Each faculty offers a number of courses at both undergraduate and graduate level. The university also offers a Japanese Culture and Language Programme for international students.
At the heart of the university is its founding spirit, which was inspired by the Buddhist tradition. Its spirit is the desire to wake all living beings from ignorance to enlightenment. The university achieves this by educating its students to become people who "seek truth, live in truth, and reveal truth". The university also teaches its students to value five key principles: equality, independence, contemplation, gratitude and peace in order to become wise and successful individuals.
The university is located in Kyoto, a city in Japan. Between 794 and 1868 Kyoto served as Japan’s capital and today it remains one of the country’s largest cities with a population of 1.5 million. Kyoto has a wealth of culture and history with over 2,000 temples and shrines around the city. It is considered the spiritual heart of Japan and is visited by increasing numbers of tourists every year.
