Summer Classical Tibetan Language Study
Join us for an exciting summer, learning classical Tibetan at RYI, a five-minute walk from the great stupa of Boudha in Kathmandu, Nepal. RYI is housed within the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monastic complex, where our students are surrounded by monks who themselves are reading classical Tibetan and studying classical texts in their monastic shedra classes.
These courses include master classes with a skilled classical Tibetan teacher, and review classes with an experienced teaching assistant (TA). Those studying on campus will be surrounded by the rich world of Tibetan Buddhist culture, language, and practice.
We offer three levels of Classical Tibetan: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. The courses will also introduce students to the techniques, methods, and considerations relevant to translating Tibetan Buddhist texts.
Visit our admissions page for application details and program-specific dates
Beginning Classical Tibetan (TLAN 115) 6 Credits
Like all of the summer language courses, the Beginning Classical Tibetan course is rigorous, enabling students to progress quickly. This intensive course allows students to complete the equivalent of two semesters of coursework in eight weeks, setting students on the path toward proficiency in classical Tibetan. There are no prerequisites, other than learning the Tibetan alphabet. After you enroll you’ll receive links to an online Tibetan alphabet course. There are additional alphabet classes during summer orientation, to ensure students are prepared to start learning the language on the first day of class.
If your interest is in speaking Tibetan, we suggest you look into our Summer courses in Colloquial Tibetan, which focuses on the modern spoken language.
The course begins with an extensive overview of Tibetan grammar after which students begin to read a variety of texts, including philosophical treatises and practice texts. Students are lead through the texts in a detailed and gradual manner, so that even complete beginners are able to understand their meaning while building a basic vocabulary and gaining familiarity with the practical application of the grammar using simple texts.
Class Structure
Classes run Monday through Friday. Each day you will have three hours of master grammar class and a one-hour review class with a TA, where you can review what you’ve just learned in the master class. The review classes help to consolidate your learning by allowing you to ask questions and clear up confusion quickly, thus reinforcing your learning through the review of newly learned vocabulary and grammar structures.
Class Schedule
This course is offered online and will be held Monday to Friday between 5:45 p.m. – and 11:15 p.m. Nepal time.
This course is offered on campus courses will take place Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nepal time.
Please ensure you are available Monday-Friday during the respective scheduled hours for on-campus or online study.
In addition to live classes, a full set of prerecorded videos is also available for study and review prior to the live classes at a time of your own choosing. Plus, you will have access to one-to-one office hours.
Class Materials
The course uses Benjamin Collet-Cassart’s Classical Tibetan Grammar Handbook for introducing students to the basics of classical Tibetan grammar and vocabulary. Additional handouts will be given, and there are pre-recorded videos that you can watch in our Teams classroom environment to help you prepare in advance for your daily classes and to review difficult points as often as needed.
To study this course online you will need access to a PC, Mac or Linux computer capable of running Microsoft Teams, which you can download free of charge.
Accreditation
Beginning Classical Tibetan is a university-level course and can be taken for academic credit through Kathmandu University’s Centre for Buddhist Studies, earning 6 credits (12 ECTS). The course may also be taken on a non-credit basis. Expect to spend at least 2 hours outside of class each day for homework and study.
Intermediate Classical Tibetan (TLAN 215) 6 Credits
Intermediate Classical Tibetan builds on the grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills learned in the beginning course, and is designed for students with at least two semesters of classical Tibetan or the equivalent. Like all of the summer language courses, the Intermediate Classical Tibetan course is rigorous, enabling students to progress quickly. This intensive course allows students to complete the equivalent of two semesters of coursework in eight weeks, guiding students along the path toward proficiency in classical Tibetan in several different genres. This class assumes that students are familiar with all of the basic grammar structures of the language and have memorized basic dharma vocabulary.
Class Structure
Classes run Monday through Friday. Each day you will have three hours of master grammar class and a one-hour review class with a TA, where you can consolidate your learning by asking questions and clearing up confusions quickly, thus reinforcing your learning through review of newly learned grammar structures and vocabulary.
Class Schedule
This course is offered online and will be held Monday to Friday between 5:45 p.m. – and 11:15 p.m. Nepal time.
This course is offered on campus courses will take place Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nepal time.
Please ensure you are available Monday-Friday during the respective scheduled hours for on campus or online study.
Class Materials
The course uses readings from various texts and additional handouts to cover important points of grammar and usage and to continue building vocabulary, within several genres. Class materials are available in printed form and there are also pre-recorded videos that you can watch in our Teams classroom environment to help you prepare in advance for your daily classes and to review difficult points.
To make use of the online resources included with the course it’s best to have access to a PC, Mac or Linux computer capable of running Microsoft Teams, which you can download free of charge. However, Teams will also run on smartphones (iOS or Android).
Accreditation
Intermediate Classical Tibetan is a university-level course and can be taken for academic credit through Kathmandu University’s Centre for Buddhist Studies, earning 6 credits (12 ECTS). The course may also be taken on a non-credit basis. Expect to spend at least 2 hours outside of class each day for homework and study.
Advanced Classical Tibetan Reading Seminar (RTIB 501/TLAN 315) 6 Credit
Advanced Classical Tibetan combines the close reading of texts with the study of translation methodology. It provides essential skills for those who want to focus seriously on the translation of Tibetan texts. Admission into the course requires the equivalent of four semesters or more of prior classical Tibetan study and is for students who wish to continue learning to read classical Tibetan texts of greater difficulty, with respect to both writing style and content and who are interested in learning more about translation theory and practice.
Like all of the summer language courses, the Advanced Classical Tibetan course is rigorous, enabling students to progress quickly. This intensive course allows students to complete the equivalent of two semesters of coursework in eight weeks.
Class Structure
Classes run Monday through Friday. There are three hours of class each day with a main teacher and one hour per day with a TA. The focus of the master class is on group reading and discussion of texts together, with a second emphasis on translation theory and methods. In addition, in the days before exams, there will be an increased focus on reviewing grammar.
Class Schedule
This course is offered online and will be held Monday to Friday between 5:45 p.m. – and 11:15 p.m. Nepal time.
This course is offered on campus courses will take place Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nepal time.
Please ensure you are available Monday-Friday during the respective scheduled hours for on campus or online study.
Class Materials
Course material include texts to be studied, the secondary literature to be discussed, and any additional material prepared by the teacher and teaching assistant.
We recommend that you also make use of the online resources included with the course. In this case, the version of Teams that runs on smartphones (iOS or Android) will be sufficient.
Accreditation
Advanced Classical Tibetan is a university-level course and can be taken for academic credit through Kathmandu University’s Centre for Buddhist Studies, earning 6 credits (12 ECTS) at the undergraduate level as TLAN 315. It also earns 6 credits at the graduate level for RTIB 501. The course may also be taken on a non-credit basis.
Accreditation
The courses are accredited at the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Kathmandu University as follows:
- For Introductory Classical Tibetan: Classical Tibetan I (TLAN 101) and II (TLAN 102) (6 credits total)
- For Intermediate Classical Tibetan: Classical Tibetan III (TLAN 201) and IV (TLAN 202) (6 credits total)
- For Advanced Classical Tibetan Reading Seminar: MA-level study—RTIB 501: Advanced Readings I – Tibetan (6 credits); BA-level study—TLAN 315 Advanced Classical Tibetan, equivalent to Classical Tibetan V (TLAN 301) and VI (TLAN 302) (6 credits total).
Admission Criteria
All applications for the Classical Tibetan courses are subject to approval by the Centre for Buddhist Studies.
Students applying to the Intermediate and Advanced programs must present documentation of prior Classical Tibetan studies at a university or from a similarly recognized program.
For more information, please refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Admissions Process for the summer program.
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.
