State Pariyatti Sasana University of Mandalay (SPSU), one of the first two Buddhist Universities, is a Buddhist institution, founded by Mingun Sayadaw Bhaddanta Viccittasarabhivamsa under the instruction of State Samgha Mahanayaka Committee with the aim of emergence of monks who are able to do missionary work at home and abroad, and it was opened on 21, August, 1986. This University under the guidance of Bhaddanta Jotikabhivamsa as the first Rector, and Bhaddanta Sitthila the registrar, commenced Sasanatakkasila Mahadhammacariya (M.A, Buddhism) Degree programme joined with the 3 faculties - Vinaya, Suttanta and Abhidhamma - and including 19 teachers administrative personnel and 37 student-monks, who had to study the subjects for 2 years fixed with writing thesis within 3 years.
In 1989 (1351 ME), Sasanatakksila Dhammacariya (B.A, Buddhism) Degree programme was started to change for the students who had passed the Pathamagyi-level examination. To them, 4 years for the academic learning are fixed with term paper of pages 50 to 100 and meditation practice for ten days after their final examination. Apart from the three faculties as the main subjects, Departments of Pāli Literature, Myanmar Literature, English and Propagation of Buddhist Desana were extended as the minor subjects. The University now offers Sasanatakksila Dhammacariya (B.A, Buddhism), Sasanatakksila Mahadhammacariya (M.A, Buddhism) and Ph.D. (Sasanatakkasila Dhamma Paragu) Degree.
More than that, the University provides a month course on traditional medicine for the fourth-year students and third-year students and, encourages the development of religious spirits to the monks, having passed the final examination, who are going to work in the missionary work at the border and remote areas and before presenting a thesis, sends them to practice meditation under the guidance of meditators at Mahasi Meditation Centre.
