Official Doctrine

The official doctrine of this university is:
"The disciplinary rules (Sikkhāpada) from the Vinaya Pitaka must be thoroughly and completely observed."
"The university's guiding principle, “Live and Practice in Buddhist traditional Ways, learn and teach in Modern Methods"

“Guiding Principle”

The admonishing " Live and Practice in Buddhist traditional Ways, learn and teach in Modern Methods " carries a meaning so profound that it could fill an entire book with its depth.
In summary, it can be understood as follows:
"Live and Practice in Buddhist traditional Ways" means a simple way of life that cherishes the ancient traditions of the Sangha, which consists of noble monks who uphold the Vinaya (monastic discipline) and the Dhamma (teachings) perfectly.
It suggests that modern teaching methods are, in fact, a continuation of ancient teaching methods from the Inwa period, represented by the phrase "သု စိ ပု ဘာ ဝိ လိသိ ဓာ". This could imply that the underlying principles of effective teaching have remained constant over time, even if the specific techniques and tools have changed.

The motto of Mahāvihāra Dhamma Vinaya University

The Motto of Mahāvihāra Dhamma Vinaya University is “Sīlaparidhotā paÒÒā, paÒÒāparidhotam Sīlam.” ဟူ၍ဖြစ်သည်။
"Wisdom is purified by morality, and morality is purified by wisdom.
In other words, morality purifies wisdom, and wisdom purifies morality."
This concept is a central tenet of many philosophical and religious traditions, including Buddhism.
It emphasizes the idea that intellectual understanding (wisdom) is not enough for a fulfilling life; one must also cultivate moral character (morality). Similarly, moral behavior without understanding (wisdom) can be misguided or incomplete.

Background History

This university was established as the ‘Mahavihara Dhamma Vinaya University’ at the Mahavihara Monastery, in gratitude for the virtues and kindness of the revered monks residing at the Sihala Mahavihara Monastery.

Sihhala Mahavihara

King Devanampiya Tissa donated the Meghavana Garden to the venerable Mahinda and constructed the great monastery known as Mahavihara in that garden.
In that great monastery, 3,000 monks continuously observed the rains retreat. From the establishment of the great Mahavihara Monastery until 440 years into the Buddhist era, when King Vattagamani ascended the throne, the teachings and discipline of the Mahavihara Monastery flourished without hindrance. King Vattagamani, after losing a battle, had to flee and live in obscurity for 14 years.
During that time, due to severe social and economic hardship, the monks did not receive the four requisites (robes, food, lodging, and medicine) sufficiently. Many monks crossed over to the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, known as Jambudipa, where they continued to uphold the Dhamma and Vinaya with great diligence. The senior monks who remained in Sri Lanka survived for twelve years by consuming whatever fruits, leaves, and grass they could find. Despite these hardships, they diligently preserved and maintained the teachings of the Eight Great Commentaries and the three Pitakas without letting them decline. The venerable monks of the Mahavihara Monastery adhered strictly to the original and pure form of the ancient Tripitaka in the Pali language, which they accepted, studied, taught, and practiced. They preserved the teachings solely through oral recitation. Recognizing the challenges of their time and foreseeing the potential decline in wisdom and knowledge in future generations due to the difficulties of the era, they made efforts to commit the Tripitaka, along with the Eight Great Commentaries, to writing using palm-leaf manuscripts.
Thus, 68 miles away from Anuradhapura, near Matula, a village in the Malayajanapada region, at the Aloka Cave, the monks observed the rains retreat. With the assistance and protection of the local governor, they painstakingly worked on inscribing the scriptures onto palm-leaf manuscripts. Through their efforts in initiating and completing the task of writing down the scriptures, the Tripitaka, which had been passed down orally at the great Mahavihara Monastery, was preserved. As a result, it remained safeguarded from distortion and interference by heretics.
This university is a Buddhist institution founded with the guidance and instructions of revered ancient elders, based on the philosophy of "old ways of living, modern ways of teaching." It is a Buddhist university where monks who observe the Vinaya (monastic discipline) reside and study. The university was officially opened on Sunday, June 12, 2016, by senior monks led by the Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Bhaddanta Kumara Bhivamsa (the Venerable Bhamo Sayadaw). The Peaceful and Serene Forest Sayadaw (the rector of this university) and the Venerable professors, including the Head of the Vinaya Department at the State Pariyatti Sasana University, the Head Professor of the Vinaya and Dhamma University of the Mahavihara, and the Chief Professor, are the pioneers and guiding mentors of this institution. The university is highly revered and supported by senior monks who emphasize the importance of Vinaya.
The rector of this university, the chief professor, and the venerable guiding elders, along with the advice of the Maha Nayaka and Nayaka Sayadaws, as well as the support of the Mahavihara Dhamma and Vinaya University Foundation and donors from near and far, have successfully led this Buddhist university into its ninth academic year. This year, the university offers seven courses: the Pre-Diploma Course, Undergraduate Diploma Course, B.A. (Dhamma and Vinaya) Course, Postgraduate Diploma (Pali/Sanskrit) Course, M.A. (Dhamma - Vinaya) Course, M.A. (Pali/Sanskrit) Course, and the Takkasila Dhammasariya Course. The Venerable Mahavihara Sayadaw serves as the Chairman of the Central Administrative Committee of the university.