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
The Buddhist Studies course consists of three elements, i.e. three classes daily.
The first element is the textual study of a Tibetan Buddhist texts that covers philosophical, ethical, and contemplative aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. The texts will be either Patrul Rinpoche’s “A Brilliant Sun: The Stages of Practice of the Bodhisattvacāryāvatara” or Togme Zangpo’s “The 37 Practices of the Bodhisattvas.” The instructor will provide a close reading and commentary on the content of the aforementioned texts.
The second element is a meditation course. It will be based on the manual by Khenpo Gyaltsen. “How to Practice Śamatha and Its Benefits,” or a similar meditation manual. The meditation course 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. Many 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 two classes are taught by Himalayan monastic scholars in Tibetan language and are translated into English.
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.
Class Structure
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 taught by a western instructor and 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. Students should be prepared to spend at least two hours each day outside of class time for readings, homework and study.
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, more in-depth study of Buddhist history, philosophy and meditation. The course is taught by traditional Tibetan monastic scholars and western academic scholars.
Class Schedule
On-Campus
All times are NPT Nepal Time UTC +5:45.
Please ensure you are available Monday-Friday during the respective scheduled hours for on-campus study.
| Class | Title | Type | Time |
| TSTD 120 | Buddhist Studies I Khenpo Class | OC | M-F 2:00p-3:30p |
| TSTD 120 | Meditation Class | OC | M-F 8:00a-9:00a |
| TSTD 120 | Buddhist Studies I | OC | M-F 9:15a-10:45a |
| TSTD 120 | Buddhist Studies I Review | OC | F 3:45-4:45 |
OC – Oncampus Class, Traditional classes where students attend in person on campus.
Class Materials
The primary texts used for the Buddhist Studies summer intensive are a translation of the Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, 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 class will be based on Dominique Side’s Discovering Buddhism. This book is difficult to acquire in Nepal, so please order the book prior to coming to Nepal. Alternatively, there is an e-book available. Supplementary reading materials will be provided during this course in the form of a reader.
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
Students who complete the course receive academic credit at the Centre for Buddhist Studies for TSTD 120 Buddhist Studies I Summer Intensive I (6 credits total). In addition to satisfactory grades, students must maintain an attendance rate of 80% throughout the course in order to pass. The level of intensity of the program is high and the students are expected to invest considerable time and effort in order to meet class requirements and academic expectations.
TSTD 120 may also be taken on a non-credit basis.
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.
