Summer Intensive Buddhist Studies
The Buddhist Studies summer courses provide a rigorous combination of the traditional and academic study of the Buddhist tradition. Students complete the equivalent of two semesters of coursework over the span of 8 weeks, establishing a foundation of knowledge that prepares them for further, in-depth study of Buddhist history, philosophy and meditation.
Visit our admissions page for application details and program-specific dates
Buddhist Studies I (TSTD 120) 6 Credits
Foundations of Buddhism: Theory & Practice
This Buddhist Studies course consists of six weeks of classes followed by a ten-day retreat. During the six weeks of classes students will attend three classes daily:
1. A textual study class where students read a Tibetan Buddhist text that covers philosophical, ethical, and contemplative aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. In summer 2027 the text will be the Prajñāpāramitāhṛdayasūtra, often referred to simply as The Heart Sutra, one of the best known and most important of Perfection of Wisdom texts. The monastic teacher will provide a close reading and commentary on the content of the text.
2. A meditation class based on Khenpo Gyaltsen’s How to Practice Śamatha and Its Benefits, or a similar meditation manual. The meditation class provides a theoretical and practical introduction to Buddhist contemplation. The instructor will refer to some classic frameworks of Buddhist meditation and lead students through a variety of experiential exercises to engage in those practices. Different forms of meditation will be introduced, but the emphasis in this class will center on calm-abiding meditation (śamatha in Sanskrit or shiné in Tibetan).
These first two elements are taught by Himalayan monastic scholars in the Tibetan language translated into English.
3.The third element is the academic perspective, providing students an introduction to a broad range of key topics of Buddhism. This part of the course aims to introduce students to the history, texts, and traditions of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, as well as to the academic discipline of Buddhist Studies. Leading students through some of the primary texts and doctrines, this class will look at the Buddha’s religious and philosophical context, the Buddha’s life and early teachings as preserved in the Pāli Canon, and the rise of the Mahāyāna, including a close look at the ideas of its two philosophical schools: Madhyamaka and Yogācāra. The class will also examine some of the many forms of Buddhist praxis, including the main principles and contemplations of the Vajrayāna. The third class is taught by an academic instructor, who may also choose to discuss various issues of interest for contemporary scholars and practitioners, such as the role of women, Buddhist ethics, Buddhist contributions to humanitarian law and justice, etc. Students will have to prepare for classes through reading, memorizing, writing reflection papers, etc. They will write a midterm and final exam or research paper. Students should be prepared to spend at least two hours each day outside of class time for readings, homework, and study.
Students will have to prepare for all three classes through reading, memorizing, writing reflection papers, etc. They will write a midterm and final exam or research paper. Students should be prepared to spend at least two hours each day outside of class time for readings, homework, and study.
The six weeks of classes are followed by a ten-day traditional retreat in Pharping, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley. During the retreat students will have daily practice sessions led by a retreat lama and discussion sessions led by their instructors from RYI. Students will also have individual time for contemplation and meditation. This retreat provides students the opportunity to experience a Buddhist retreat in an authentic setting, where they will have the time and instruction necessary to develop the self-awareness that is integral to the Buddhist path.
Class Structure
TSTD 120 consists of six weeks of classes run Monday through Friday, for four hours each day, featuring three daily classes. Two of the classes are taught by Tibetan Khenpos, Lopons, or Lamas and translated into English. In these classes, students study in the traditional way, receiving in-depth explanations of the texts being studied, as well as word-by-word commentaries from the Tibetan teachers. The third class is approaches the topic from a broader perspective that includes consideration of other Buddhist traditions and examines the historical context in which Buddhist philosophical issues and debates have arisen. The six weeks of classes are followed by a ten-day traditional retreat.
Class Schedule
On-Campus only
TBD
Class Materials
The primary texts used for the Buddhist Studies summer intensive are a translation of The Heart Sutra, a meditation text selected by the lama teaching the class, and other English-language Buddhist Studies materials that include handouts, articles, and video recordings. The texts will be available for purchase in the RYI office. The academic Buddhist Studies part of the course will use reading materials provided during this course in the form of a reader.
To make use of the online resources included with the course it is best to have access to a PC, Mac or Linux computer capable of running Microsoft Teams, which you can download free of charge. Microsoft Teams will also run on smartphones (iOS or Android).
Accreditation
Summer courses are accredited by Kathmandu University (KU). Credits earned from the summer courses are recognized by other universities at their discretion. Credits earned from the summer courses are only accepted towards a KU degree if the student is already enrolled with KU.
Admission Criteria
TSTD 120 is taught at the introductory level, and all interested students are encouraged to apply. A statement of interest is required as part of the application process. All applications are subject to approval by the Centre for Buddhist Studies. TSTD 120 is popular and places may fill up quickly, so apply now to reserve your place.
For more information, please refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Admissions Process for the summer Intensives
Fee Request
In accordance with University guidelines, RYI course fees are determined by each student’s home base and nationality. A three-tier system is in effect which covers (i) Nepali students, (ii) SAARC students and (iii) other international students. Please select below to find out the fees structure for your particular circumstances.
You will find the Tuition Fee List for all programs linked on the right-hand side of the admissions page.
Buddhist Studies II (TSTD 220) 6 Credits
Entering the Heart of the Dharma: Emptiness, Wisdom, and Practice
Tracing the Philosophy of Emptiness from India to Tibet
This Buddhist Studies course consists of six weeks of classes followed by a ten-day retreat. During the six weeks of classes students will attend three classes daily:
1. A textual study class where students read a Tibetan Buddhist text that covers philosophical, ethical, and contemplative aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. In summer 2027 the text will be the Prajñāpāramitāhṛdayasūtra, often referred to simply as The Heart Sutra, one of the best known and most important of Perfection of Wisdom texts. The monastic teacher will provide a close reading and commentary on the content of the text.
2. A meditation class based on Khenpo Gyaltsen’s How to Practice Śamatha and Its Benefits, or a similar meditation manual. The meditation class provides a theoretical and practical introduction to Buddhist contemplation. The instructor will refer to some classic frameworks of Buddhist meditation and lead students through a variety of experiential exercises to engage in those practices. Different forms of meditation will be introduced, but the emphasis in this class will center on calm-abiding meditation (śamatha in Sanskrit or shiné in Tibetan).
These first two elements are taught by Himalayan monastic scholars in the Tibetan language translated into English.
3. A Buddhist Studies class following the philosophical development of Buddhism from the systematic analyses of the Abhidharma through the flowering of the Mahāyāna and into the esoteric practices of the Vajrayāna, with a special focus on the genealogy of the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness (śūnyatā). Beginning with the Abhidharma, we will study the early tradition’s analysis of mind and phenomena, with a focus on the philosophical foundations that informed later Buddhist understandings of emptiness, impermanence (anitya), and dependent arising (pratītya-samutpāda). Next, we will study the role of emptiness in Mahāyāna philosophy, asking how emptiness manifests in the prajñāpāramitā literature. Central to this unit is the Mādhyamaka’s analysis of emptiness, which we will place in dialogue with the Yogācāra account of mind and the tathāgatagarbha teachings on buddha-nature. The course concludes with an introduction to the Vajrayāna, examining how tantric philosophy manifests in practices like guru yoga and Mahāmudrā and how emptiness is conceived in the shentong (other-empty) and rangtong (self-empty) views. The course will engage with both primary and secondary texts and situate each tradition in its historical context throughout. By the end of the course students will be able to describe and critically engage with the core philosophical concepts of the Śrāvakayāna, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions; critically engage with diverse interpretations of emptiness as Buddhism developed from India to Tibet; read and critically engage with primary Buddhist texts; and recognize the relationship between Buddhist philosophy and practice across time and space.
Students will have to prepare for all three classes through reading, memorizing, writing reflection papers, etc. They will write a midterm and final exam or research paper. Students should be prepared to spend at least two hours each day outside of class time for readings, homework, and study.
The six weeks of classes are followed by a ten-day traditional retreat in Pharping, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley. During the retreat students will have daily practice sessions led by a retreat lama and discussion sessions led by their instructors from RYI. Students will also have individual time for contemplation and meditation. This retreat provides students the opportunity to experience a Buddhist retreat in an authentic setting, where they will have the time and instruction necessary to develop the self-awareness that is integral to the Buddhist path.
Class Structure
TSTD 220 consists of six weeks of classes run Monday through Friday, for four hours each day, featuring three daily classes. Two of the classes are taught by Tibetan Khenpos, Lopons, or Lamas and translated into English. In these classes, students study in the traditional way, receiving in-depth explanations of the texts being studied, as well as word-by-word commentaries from the Tibetan teachers. The third class is approaches the topic from a broader perspective that includes consideration of other Buddhist traditions and examines the historical context in which Buddhist philosophical issues and debates have arisen. The six weeks of classes are followed by a ten-day traditional retreat.
Class Schedule
On-Campus only
TBD
Class Materials
The primary texts used for the Buddhist Studies summer intensive are a translation of The Heart Sutra, a meditation text selected by the lama teaching the class, and other English-language Buddhist Studies materials that include handouts, articles, and video recordings. The texts will be available for purchase in the RYI office. The academic Buddhist Studies part of the course will use reading materials provided during this course in the form of a reader.
To make use of the online resources included with the course it is best to have access to a PC, Mac or Linux computer capable of running Microsoft Teams, which you can download free of charge. Microsoft Teams will also run on smartphones (iOS or Android).
Accreditation
Summer courses are accredited by Kathmandu University (KU). Credits earned from the summer courses are recognized by other universities at their discretion. Credits earned from the summer courses are only accepted towards a KU degree if the student is already enrolled with KU.
Admission Criteria
TSTD 220 is taught at the introductory level, and all interested students are encouraged to apply. All applications are subject to approval by the Centre for Buddhist Studies.
For more information, please refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Admissions Process for the summer Intensives
Fee Request
In accordance with university guidelines, RYI course fees are determined by each student’s home base and nationality. A three-tier system is in effect which covers (i) Nepali students, (ii) SAARC students and (iii) other international students. Please select below to find out the fees structure for your circumstances.
You will find the Tuition Fee List for all programs linked on the right-hand side of the admissions page.
TSTD 220 Intermediate Buddhist Studies Summer Intensive II 6 Credits
Entering the Heart of the Dharma: Emptiness, Wisdom, and Practice
Tracing the Philosophy of Emptiness from India to Tibet
This Buddhist Studies course consists of six weeks of classes followed by a ten-day retreat. During the six weeks of classes students will attend three classes daily:
1. A textual study class where students read a Tibetan Buddhist text that covers philosophical, ethical, and contemplative aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. In summer 2027 the text will be the Prajñāpāramitāhṛdayasūtra, often referred to simply as The Heart Sutra, one of the best known and most important of Perfection of Wisdom texts. The monastic teacher will provide a close reading and commentary on the content of the text.
2. A meditation class based on Khenpo Gyaltsen’s How to Practice Śamatha and Its Benefits, or a similar meditation manual. The meditation class provides a theoretical and practical introduction to Buddhist contemplation. The instructor will refer to some classic frameworks of Buddhist meditation and lead students through a variety of experiential exercises to engage in those practices. Different forms of meditation will be introduced, but the emphasis in this class will center on calm-abiding meditation (śamatha in Sanskrit or shiné in Tibetan).
These first two elements are taught by Himalayan monastic scholars in the Tibetan language translated into English.
3. A Buddhist Studies class following the philosophical development of Buddhism from the systematic analyses of the Abhidharma through the flowering of the Mahāyāna and into the esoteric practices of the Vajrayāna, with a special focus on the genealogy of the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness (śūnyatā). Beginning with the Abhidharma, we will study the early tradition’s analysis of mind and phenomena, with a focus on the philosophical foundations that informed later Buddhist understandings of emptiness, impermanence (anitya), and dependent arising (pratītya-samutpāda). Next, we will study the role of emptiness in Mahāyāna philosophy, asking how emptiness manifests in the prajñāpāramitā literature. Central to this unit is the Mādhyamaka’s analysis of emptiness, which we will place in dialogue with the Yogācāra account of mind and the tathāgatagarbha teachings on buddha-nature. The course concludes with an introduction to the Vajrayāna, examining how tantric philosophy manifests in practices like guru yoga and Mahāmudrā and how emptiness is conceived in the shentong (other-empty) and rangtong (self-empty) views. The course will engage with both primary and secondary texts and situate each tradition in its historical context throughout. By the end of the course students will be able to describe and critically engage with the core philosophical concepts of the Śrāvakayāna, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions; critically engage with diverse interpretations of emptiness as Buddhism developed from India to Tibet; read and critically engage with primary Buddhist texts; and recognize the relationship between Buddhist philosophy and practice across time and space.
Students will have to prepare for all three classes through reading, memorizing, writing reflection papers, etc. They will write a midterm and final exam or research paper. Students should be prepared to spend at least two hours each day outside of class time for readings, homework, and study.
The six weeks of classes are followed by a ten-day traditional retreat in Pharping, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley. During the retreat students will have daily practice sessions led by a retreat lama and discussion sessions led by their instructors from RYI. Students will also have individual time for contemplation and meditation. This retreat provides students the opportunity to experience a Buddhist retreat in an authentic setting, where they will have the time and instruction necessary to develop the self-awareness that is integral to the Buddhist path.
Class Structure
TSTD 220 consists of six weeks of classes run Monday through Friday, for four hours each day, featuring three daily classes. Two of the classes are taught by Tibetan Khenpos, Lopons, or Lamas and translated into English. In these classes, students study in the traditional way, receiving in-depth explanations of the texts being studied, as well as word-by-word commentaries from the Tibetan teachers. The third class is approaches the topic from a broader perspective that includes consideration of other Buddhist traditions and examines the historical context in which Buddhist philosophical issues and debates have arisen. The six weeks of classes are followed by a ten-day traditional retreat.
Class Schedule
On-Campus
TBD
Class Materials
The primary texts used for the Buddhist Studies summer intensive are a translation of The Heart Sutra, a meditation text selected by the lama teaching the class, and other English-language Buddhist Studies materials that include handouts, articles, and video recordings. The texts will be available for purchase in the RYI office. The academic Buddhist Studies part of the course will use reading materials provided during this course in the form of a reader.
To make use of the online resources included with the course it is best to have access to a PC, Mac or Linux computer capable of running Microsoft Teams, which you can download free of charge. Microsoft Teams will also run on smartphones (iOS or Android).
Accreditation
Summer courses are accredited by Kathmandu University (KU). Credits earned from the summer courses are recognized by other universities at their discretion. Credits earned from the summer courses are only accepted towards a KU degree if the student is already enrolled with KU.
Admission Criteria
TSTD 220 is taught at the introductory level, and all interested students are encouraged to apply. All applications are subject to approval by the Centre for Buddhist Studies.
For more information, please refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Admissions Process for the summer Intensives
Fee Request
In accordance with university guidelines, RYI course fees are determined by each student’s home base and nationality. A three-tier system is in effect which covers (i) Nepali students, (ii) SAARC students and (iii) other international students. Please select below to find out the fees structure for your circumstances.
You will find the Tuition Fee List for all programs linked on the right-hand side of the admissions page.
