Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1989-2013 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Textual, graphic, 1.52 m
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
A college offering a comprehensive program in Buddhist studies was first proposed by Professor Sugunasiri in 1993 and by 1997 he was pushing for the establishment of an independent college. It was not until August 2000 that the Toronto College for Buddhist Studies opened. It was non-sectarian in the sense that it taught other Buddhist schools of thought in addition to Theravada Buddhism. In April 2001, Professor Sugunasiri acquired letters patent changing the name of the College to the Nalanda College of Buddhist Studies.
In May 2006, Nalanda College was accepted as a member of the World Buddhist Federation, which opened up more options for it. In 2007 it applied to the Ontario Ministry of Education to establish and Honours Bachelor of Arts Program in Buddhadharrma studies but was turned down by the Ontario Postsecondary Quality Assessment Board.
The College, the finances of which were always precarious, ran into increasing financial difficulties from 2006 when its annual grant of $70,000 from the Chi Lin Nunnery in Hong Kong was discontinued. By the early summer of 2008 it had run out of money. It reduced its rented space from three rooms to one, and was no longer able to pay its staff. Professor Sugunasiri stepped down as President and Chair of the Board of Governors. Fundraising efforts continued, including a trip by him to Taiwan in October, but it did not produce the desired results. The College terminated its lease of space at 47 Queen’s Park Crescent East on 30 June 2008, and closed its doors. Professor Sugunasiri continued to search for support for some of the College projects, especially the proposed Research Centre for Sinhalese Buddhist Culture and Civilization, but was unsuccessful in his endeavours.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The calendars, printed syllabi, other published material (including posters and photographs), the course material/lecture notes, and conference files are open. The following files are restricted until the death of the donor:
B2015-0024/026(11) – (24)
B2015-0024/027(17) – (21)
B2015-0024/028
B2015-0024/029
B2015-0024/030
B2015-0024/031
B2015-0024/032(07), (12) – (16)
B2015-0024/034(13), (16) – (22)
B2015-0024/035(10) – (15)
B2015-0024/036
B2015-0024/037(01) – (03), (06) – (13)