OL TLAN 102: Classical Tibetan II

Please note that these online courses are self-paced and differ from the online courses that we are currently offering while the campus has closed due to the pandemic which consist of live classes. The self-paced Online Learning courses differ in that the classes are pre-recorded which means the student can decide on their own schedule. The Online Learning courses offer varying levels of interaction, the formats you can choose from are Self-Study, Interactive and For-credit.

Start studying Classical Tibetan II with a moderator as an interactive or for-credit student any time from September 15 – March 15.

Applications for For-Credit and Interactive courses are accepted starting September 15.  The duration of this Classical Tibetan course is 15-weeks long.

However, students will have access to the course for one year, with access to the moderator limited to September 15 – June 15. Students may register and begin courses in the self-study format at any time.

In Classical Tibetan II, students will continue with an introduction to the classical Tibetan language and its grammar, and gain more experience and confidence reading and understanding classical Tibetan texts. After completing this course, successful students will be able to approach Tibetan texts by themselves with confidence.

Students will use their knowledge of basic Tibetan grammar and vocabulary to move into the world of Tibetan literature in a guided way. The focus of the course is on learning by doing, so the primary means of instruction is through guided readings of Tibetan classics such as The Jewel Ornament of Liberation (དྭགས་པོ་ཐར་རྒྱན་) and Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva (རྒྱལ་སྲས་ལག་ལེན་). Students will also read the highly regarded Mahāyāna Heart Sutra as part of the course. Students are guided through these texts sentence-by-sentence in recorded visual lectures. The readings in the lectures are interspersed with explanations of the grammar found there, which sometimes includes aspects of grammar as explained in the traditional Tibetan style. The course also focuses on the expansion of students’ vocabulary.

The prerequisite for this course is either to have completed RYI’s Classical Tibetan I, or to have a comparable level of knowledge (i.e. a semester of classical Tibetan study).

Students taking this course on either an Interactive or For-credit basis should expect between six to nine hours of course work per week, and the course will take one semester to complete. 

Students in the Self-Study course have up to twelve months to complete the material and proceed at their own pace. Course material is presented as video and visual lectures given by Joost Palenstijn in English and also includes web-based resources for study and practice such as vocabulary guides, quizzes, and PDF handouts.

The self-study format, where students work at their own pace, is available to begin year-round. Students in the Interactive or For-credit formats progress through the online course materials together with guidance and instruction from a moderator, and must begin the class at certain designated times, usually in September and January (June or July for the online summer version). Those who study in the For-credit format will receive three academic credits upon successful completion of the course. Please see the descriptions below for explanations of the available course formats.

Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment, and will occasionally access other online environments. Internet access is a requirement for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from their date of registration.

 FAQs 

Prerequisites

TLAN 101: Classical Tibetan I

    For-Credit

    Price: $695

    Fall and Spring Semesters:

    Applications for For-credit courses are accepted anytime from September 15 to March 15.

    (Note: Students may register and begin courses in the Self-study format at any time.)

    For-credit courses are 15 weeks long and the moderated portions of the courses run according to RYI’s semester schedule (September – December and January – April), with students’ access to the course continuing for one year from registration, for self-study and review.

    For-credit students have access to the discussion board for posting questions to the moderator, and take graded quizzes and submit homework assignments. Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures, visual lectures, PDF handout materials, and external links to Tibetan language learning materials. 

    Course Features:

    • Moderated by an experienced Tibetan instructor
    • Apply any time from September 15 – March 15
    • Feedback from the moderator includes questions, discussions, grading homework, and grading exams
    • Course earns 3 university-level academic credits (6 ECTS credits)

    *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

    Self-Study

    Price: $195

    Students can register for this self-study course anytime and begin studying immediately.

    Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures, visual lectures, PDF handout materials, and external links to Tibetan language learning materials.

    Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for one year.

    Course Features:

    • Self-study
    • Unmoderated
    • Year-round enrollment

    *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

    Interactive

    Price: $325

    Start studying any time from September 15 to March 15.

    Applications for Interactive courses are accepted starting September 15.   

    (Note that students may register and begin courses in the Self-study format at anytime.)

    The recommended duration for this Classical Tibetan course  is 15-weeks long. Once registration is complete, Interactive-course students will have access to the course for one year, with access to the moderator limited to September 15 – June 15.

    Students taking the Interactive course have access to the discussion board and quizzes, and are able to receive feedback on homework assignments. Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures, visual lectures, PDF handout materials, and external links to Tibetan language learning materials.

    Course Features:

    • Moderated by an experienced Tibetan instructor
    • Apply any time from September 15 – March 15
    • Feedback from the moderator includes questions, discussions, grading homework, and grading exams.

    *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

    Please note that these online courses are self-paced and differ from the online courses that we are currently offering online while the campus has closed due to the pandemic which consist of live classes. The self-paced Online Learning courses differ in that the classes are pre-recorded which means the student can decide on their own schedule. The self-paced Online Learning courses offer varying levels of interaction, the formats you can choose from are Self-Study, Interactive and For-credit.

    Applications for For-Credit and Interactive Classical Tibetan courses are accepted from September 15 until March 15. Students may register and begin courses in the Self-study format at any time.

    The Classical Tibetan I course is designed to be studied in 15-weeks, although all students have access to the course for a full year from the date they apply for or are accepted into the course. Access to the moderator for students in the For-credit and Interactive formats of the course is limited to September 15 – June 15.

    Classical Tibetan I covers the principal topics of classical Tibetan grammar using textbook material as well as text passages from classical Tibetan Buddhist literature. Although the topic of grammar is central, students are also introduced to the basic vocabulary of classical Tibetan philosophy and practice. This course can serve as a springboard for students to begin delving into Tibetan texts on their own, and as a foundation for continuing with confidence into more advanced language instruction. In the self-study format, this course is a good refresher for those who have had some instruction in Tibetan language previously and wish to strengthen their foundational knowledge.

    The prerequisite for this course is comfort with reading and writing the Tibetan alphabet. RYI offers a short course in the Tibetan alphabet to prepare students to study this classical Tibetan online course. If you are planning to take the Interactive or Self-study course and are not familiar with the Tibetan alphabet, please sign up and take that course before you start Classical Tibetan I. If you are planning to take the For-credit version of the course, the Tibetan alphabet online course is included in your course fee, and you will receive access to that course at the same time as your Classical Tibetan I access.

    Students can expect between five to eight hours of study per week when taking this course in the pre-arranged semester format. Students in the For-credit and Interactive courses progress through the online course materials together with guidance and instruction from a moderator during the 15-weeks of the semester. Students in the Self-study format can choose to follow the 15-week class schedule, or they can study at their own pace over the course of the full year. Students who study in the for-credit format will receive three academic credits upon successful completion of the course.

    Students navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment, with links offered to resources elsewhere on the web. Internet access is a requirement for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from their date of registration. Course material is presented as video and visual lectures given by Dr. Constance Kassor and includes PDF handouts and web-based resources for study and practice. 

     FAQs 

    Please see the descriptions below for comparison of the available course formats.

      For-Credit

      Price: $695

      Start studying anytime from September 15 to March 15.

      Applications for For-credit courses are accepted starting September 15.

      (Note: Students may register and begin courses in the Self-study format at any time.)

      The duration of this Classical Tibetan course is 15-weeks long. However, students will have access to the course for one year, with access to the moderator limited to September 15 – June 15.

      For-credit students have access to the discussion board and quizzes, take exams, and receive feedback on homework assignments. Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures, visual lectures, PDF handout materials, and external links to Tibetan language learning materials.

      Course Features:

      • Moderated by an experienced Tibetan instructor.
      • Apply any time from September 15 – March 15.
      • Course includes free access to the Tibetan Alphabet course.
      • Feedback from the moderator includes questions, discussions, grading homework, and grading exams.
      • Course earns 3 university-level academic credits (6 ECTS credits).

      *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

      Self-Study

      Price: $195

      Students can register for this self-study course anytime and begin studying immediately.

      Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures, visual lectures, PDF handout materials, and external links to Tibetan language learning materials.

      Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for one year.

      Course Features:

      • Self-paced
      • Unmoderated
      • Year-round enrollment

      *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

      Interactive

      Price: $325

      Start studying any time from September 15 to March 15.

      Applications for Interactive courses are accepted from September 15 – March 15.  

      (Note that students may register and begin courses in the Self-study format at anytime.)

      The duration of this Classical Tibetan course is 15-weeks long. However, students will have access to the course for one year, with access to the moderator limited to September 15 – June 15.

      Interactive students have access to the discussion board and quizzes, take exams, and receive feedback on homework assignments. Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures, visual lectures, PDF handout materials, and external links to Tibetan language learning materials.

      Course Features:

      • Moderated by an experienced Tibetan instructor.
      • Applications accepted any time from September 15 – March 15.
      • Feedback from the moderator includes questions, discussions, and the grading of homework and exams.

      *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

      This short self-study course guides students through learning the Tibetan alphabet. Upon concluding the seven units successfully, students will have gained visual and auditory familiarity with the 30 “letters” and four “vowels” of Tibetan, be able to spell according to the Tibetan spelling system, and read short sentences in Tibetan.

      As this is an entry-level course, there is no prerequisite to study. This course is a prerequisite for RYI’s online Classical Tibetan I course.

      Students can study at their own pace completing the course as quickly as one week, but will have access to this course in Moodle for four months from the date of registration. Course material is presented as video and visual lectures given by Constance Kassor in English and Tibetan and includes PDF handouts and web-based resources for study and practice.

      Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment, and other online environments. Internet access is a requirement for studying this course. Students will have access to this short course for four months from their date of registration.

      This course is offered for free as part of the Classical Tibetan 1 For-credit course. Find out more here.

        Self-Study

        Price: $33

        This short course is only offered in the self-study format. Students can register anytime and begin studying immediately.

        Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures, visual lectures, PDF handout materials, and external links to Tibetan language learning materials.

        Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for four months.

        Additional Materials:

        • Self-study
        • Unmoderated
        • Year-round enrollment

        *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

        This online course examines Chapter Nine of The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra) by Śāntideva, which provides an overview and refutation of various Indian philosophical schools, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist, in order to show the primacy of the Madhyamaka view.

        The course begins with a short introduction to the first eight chapters of the text to set the context, and then examines Chapter Nine in detail. The methodology of our online courses combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

        While there is no prerequisite for study in this course, this is a philosophically challenging text. Students should expect to average 10 to 12 hours of listening and studying per week. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated into English by Sophie Greenewalt. Supplementary materials were created by Mort Ostensen.

        This course is only offered in the self-study plus format.

        Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

          Self Study Plus

          Price: $250

          Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, English-only versions of these lectures, supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan and English as PDF files. Tibetan-only audio files are available upon request. Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for one year.

          Additional Materials:

          • Video and audio English-only version
          • PDF class transcriptions
          • Review Classes

          *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

          The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyāvatāra) is Śāntideva’s classic work on Mahāyāna philosophy. This text teaches the preciousness of bodhicitta, the awakened mind, and explains how to practice generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, and meditation while striving to recognize that awakened mind. Chapter Nine, the Wisdom Chapter, is both a refutation of the philosophical positions of other Indian philosophical schools of the time, and of Buddhist non-Madhyamaka (Middle Way) schools. In its entirety, this important text blends instruction in ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom to show us how to follow the path of the Bodhisattva.

          This online course takes one semester to complete and covers the second half of the text starting from chapter 6 verse 87, including Chapter Nine. The prerequisite for registration in this course is successful completion of The Way of the Bodhisattva Part One. The methodology of the course combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

          As this is a beginning text, students can expect to average five to eight hours of listening and studying per week. This part of the course takes one semester to complete. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated into English by Sophie Greenewalt. Supplementary materials were created by Mort Ostensen.

          The self-study plus format, where students work at their own pace, is available year-round.

          Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

            Self Study Plus

            Price: $495

            Students can register for this course in the Self-study plus format anytime and begin studying immediately. Group study is available for this course. 

            Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, English-only versions of these lectures, supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan as a PDF file. Tibetan-only audio files are also available.

            Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for one year.

            Course Features:

            • Video available in English, and audio available in English-only, Tibetan-English, and Tibetan-only versions.
            • Transcript of each class available in PDF.
            • Review classes available in PowerPoint with voice-over.

            *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

            Due to this text’s length and profundity, it is divided into two parts – OL TSTD 101 and OL TSTD 102.  OL BCA9, Chapter 9, is offered as a separate course for those who want to dive deeper into Śāntideva’s presentation of Madhyamaka philosophy and his refutation of the positions of non-Buddhist and other Buddhist schools of thought.

            OL TSTD 101: Part One

            The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyāvatāra) is Śāntideva’s classic work on Mahāyāna philosophy. This text teaches the preciousness of bodhicitta, the awakened mind, and explains how to practice generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, and meditation while striving to recognize that awakened mind. Chapter Nine, the Wisdom Chapter, is both a refutation of the philosophical positions of other Indian philosophical schools of the time, and of Buddhist non-Madhyamaka (Middle Way) schools. In its entirety, this important text blends instruction in ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom to show us how to follow the path of the Bodhisattva.

            This online course assumes no prior knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, history, or practice. This text is taught over the span of two semesters: Part One covers the first half of the text up to chapter 6, verse 86 and Part Two, which requires separate registration, completes the text. The methodology of the course combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

            As this is a beginning text, students can expect to average five to eight hours of listening and studying per week. Each part of the course takes one semester to complete. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated into English by Sophie Greenewalt. Supplementary materials were created by Mort Ostensen.

            The self-study plus format, where students work at their own pace, is available year-round.

            Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

            faqs

              Self Study Plus

              Price: $495

              Students can register for this course in the Self-study plus format anytime and begin studying immediately. Group study is available for this course. 

              Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, English-only versions of these lectures, supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan as a PDF file. Tibetan-only audio files are also available.

              Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for one year.

              Course Features:

              • Video available in English, and audio available in English-only, Tibetan-English, and Tibetan-only versions.
              • Transcripts of each class available in PDF.
              • Review classes available in PowerPoint with voice-over.

              *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

              OL TSTD 102: Part Two

              The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyāvatāra) is Śāntideva’s classic work on Mahāyāna philosophy. This text teaches the preciousness of bodhicitta, the awakened mind, and explains how to practice generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, and meditation while striving to recognize that awakened mind. Chapter Nine, the Wisdom Chapter, is both a refutation of the philosophical positions of other Indian philosophical schools of the time, and of Buddhist non-Madhyamaka (Middle Way) schools. In its entirety, this important text blends instruction in ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom to show us how to follow the path of the Bodhisattva.

              This online course takes one semester to complete and covers the second half of the text starting from chapter 6 verse 87, including Chapter Nine. The prerequisite for registration in this course is successful completion of The Way of the Bodhisattva Part One. The methodology of the course combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

              As this is a beginning text, students can expect to average five to eight hours of listening and studying per week. This part of the course takes one semester to complete. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated into English by Sophie Greenewalt. Supplementary materials were created by Mort Ostensen.

              The self-study plus format, where students work at their own pace, is available year-round.

              Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

                Self Study Plus

                Price: $495

                Students can register for this course in the Self-study plus format anytime and begin studying immediately. Group study is available for this course. 

                Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, English-only versions of these lectures, supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan as a PDF file. Tibetan-only audio files are also available.

                Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for one year.

                Course Features:

                • Video available in English, and audio available in English-only, Tibetan-English, and Tibetan-only versions.
                • Transcripts of each class available in PDF.
                • Review classes available in PowerPoint with voice-over.

                *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

                OL BCA9: Wisdom – Chapter Nine of The Way of the Bodhisattva

                This online course examines Chapter Nine of The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra) by Śāntideva, which provides an overview and refutation of various Indian philosophical schools, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist, in order to show the primacy of the Madhyamaka view.

                The course begins with a short introduction to the first eight chapters of the text to set the context, and then examines Chapter Nine in detail. The methodology of our online courses combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

                While there is no prerequisite for study in this course, this is a philosophically challenging text. Students should expect to average 10 to 12 hours of listening and studying per week. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated into English by Sophie Greenewalt. Supplementary materials were created by Mort Ostensen.

                This course is only offered in the self-study plus format.

                Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

                  Self Study Plus

                  Price: $495

                  Students can register for this course in the Self-study plus format anytime and begin studying immediately. Group study is available for this course. 

                  Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, English-only versions of these lectures, supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan as a PDF file. Tibetan-only audio files are also available.

                  Once registration is complete, students will have access to this course for one year.

                  Course Features:

                  • Video available in English, and audio available in English-only, Tibetan-English, and Tibetan-only versions.
                  • Transcripts of each class available in PDF.
                  • Review classes available in PowerPoint with voice-over.

                  *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

                  This online course is the continuation of the first part of the Root Verses of the Middle Way course, which explores this classic text by Nāgārjuna in depth. Root Verses of the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) by Nāgārjuna is a classic Buddhist text that uses logic to challenge our assumptions about the nature of reality. Nāgārjuna analyzes various phenomena we generally assume to be real, such as motion, cause and effect and the sense faculties. He also analyzes doctrines accepted by the tradition, such as the four Noble Truths. In each case, he shows that their reality is illusory, fabricated by our deluded minds. Studying this text as a philosophical treatise is an adventure in itself, but for those who practice meditation, it is the perfect complement to practice.

                  This online course takes one semester to complete and covers the second half of the text from Chapter 13, Verse One. The prerequisite for registration in this course is successful completion of Root Verses of the Middle Way Part One. The methodology of our online courses combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

                  As this is a philosophically challenging text, expect to average 10 to 12 hours of listening and studying per week. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated by Catherine Dalton into English (also available in Tibetan for those who prefer). Supplementary materials include visual lectures created from MS PowerPoint© by Joanne Larson.

                  Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

                  Apply Now

                    Self-Study Plus

                    Price: $250

                    Applications for the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā courses are accepted starting September 15.  
                    Students may register and begin courses in the self-study plus format at any time; however, access to the moderator is limited to September 15 – June 15.

                    Once registration is complete, students have access to the courses for one year.

                    Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, plus English-only and Tibetan-only audio versions of the lectures. The courses also include supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan and English as PDF files.

                    Features:

                    • Moderator available
                    • Video and audio
                    • PDF lecture transcriptions (in English)
                    • Review Classes

                    *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

                    Due to this text’s length and profundity, it is divided into two parts – OL TSTD 103 & OL TSTD 203

                    OL TSTD 103: Part One

                    The Root Verses of the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) by Nāgārjuna is a classic Buddhist text that uses logic to challenge our assumptions about the nature of reality. Nāgārjuna analyzes various phenomena we generally assume to be real, such as motion, cause and effect and the sense faculties. He also analyzes doctrines accepted by the tradition, such as the four Noble Truths. In each case, he shows that their reality is illusory, fabricated by our deluded minds. Studying this text as a philosophical treatise is an adventure in itself, but for those who practice meditation, it is the perfect complement to practice.

                    This text is taught over the span of two semesters: Part One covers the first half of the text up to chapter 12, verse 10 and Part Two, which requires separate registration, completes the text. The methodology of our online courses combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

                    While there is no prerequisite for study in this course, this is a philosophically challenging text. Students should expect to average 10 to 12 hours of listening and studying per week. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated by Catherine Dalton into English (also available in Tibetan for those who prefer). Supplementary materials include visual lectures created from MS PowerPoint© by Joanne Larson.

                    Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

                      Self Study Plus

                      Price: $250

                      Applications for the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā courses are accepted starting September 15.  
                      Students may register and begin courses in the self-study plus format at any time; however, access to the moderator is limited to September 15 – June 15.

                      Once registration is complete, students have access to the courses for one year.

                      Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, plus English-only and Tibetan-only audio versions of the lectures. The courses also include supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan and English as PDF files.

                      Features:

                      • Moderator available
                      • Video and audio
                      • PDF lecture transcriptions (in English)
                      • Review Classes

                      *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

                      OL TSTD 203: Part Two

                      This online course is the continuation of the first part of the Root Verses of the Middle Way course, which explores this classic text by Nāgārjuna in depth. Root Verses of the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) by Nāgārjuna is a classic Buddhist text that uses logic to challenge our assumptions about the nature of reality. Nāgārjuna analyzes various phenomena we generally assume to be real, such as motion, cause and effect and the sense faculties. He also analyzes doctrines accepted by the tradition, such as the four Noble Truths. In each case, he shows that their reality is illusory, fabricated by our deluded minds. Studying this text as a philosophical treatise is an adventure in itself, but for those who practice meditation, it is the perfect complement to practice.

                      This online course takes one semester to complete and covers the second half of the text from Chapter 13, Verse One. The prerequisite for registration in this course is successful completion of Root Verses of the Middle Way Part One. The methodology of our online courses combines traditional Tibetan monastic word-for-word text commentary with a Western-style academic contextualization. This approach mirrors the courses offered in our on-site classrooms in Kathmandu.

                      As this is a philosophically challenging text, expect to average 10 to 12 hours of listening and studying per week. Course content is presented as video lectures given by Khenpo Jampa Donden and translated by Catherine Dalton into English (also available in Tibetan for those who prefer). Supplementary materials include visual lectures created from MS PowerPoint© by Joanne Larson.

                      Students will navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment. Internet access is required for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from the date of their registration.

                        Self Study Plus

                        Price: $250

                        Applications for the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā courses are accepted starting September 15.  
                        Students may register and begin courses in the self-study plus format at any time; however, access to the moderator is limited to September 15 – June 15.

                        Once registration is complete, students have access to the courses for one year.

                        Resources for this course format include video and audio lectures in Tibetan with translation to English, plus English-only and Tibetan-only audio versions of the lectures. The courses also include supplementary review classes created by a Western instructor to help contextualize the lectures, written transcripts of the lectures, and the root text in Tibetan and English as PDF files.

                        Features:

                        • Moderator available
                        • Video and audio
                        • PDF lecture transcriptions (in English)
                        • Review Classes

                        *Applications for this course will open in January 2023

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