The Master of Arts degrees in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with Language span two years involving the broad, in-depth study of Buddhism as a spiritual, theological and cultural tradition. Course work emphasizes Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, with opportunities to study Sanskrit and Tibetan. Selective attention is also given to Buddhism in Southeast and East Asia, and the contemporary West.
The approach of these programs is nonsectarian, scholarly and critical, relying on the best of contemporary Western and traditional Buddhist scholarship. At the same time, they are also informed and nourished by students’ “hands-on” exploration of the major Buddhist meditative traditions and by contact with the living lineages of Asian and Western teachers. Students choose between the History of Religions or the Tibetan Tradition sequence of Buddhist Studies courses.
The Role of Meditation Both sequences stress the centrality of meditation in the study of Buddhist traditions, and each builds on the meditation practicum courses in the graduate program. The History of Religions courses employ contemplations and guided meditations, adapted from monastic and yogic trainings, to enhance the study of Foundational Buddhism, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
The Language Element This 61-credit MA degree adds training in either Sanskrit, the lingua franca of Buddhism, or Tibetan, which opens up the world of Tibetan Buddhist literature, through two years (16 credits) of course work or more. The language element supplements study with the dimension of exploring Buddhist texts beyond the filter of a particular English translation through language study.
The faculty includes Western-trained academics and Acharyas (master teachers) steeped in Tibetan Buddhist practice as well as English-speaking Tibetan lamas extensively trained in their own traditions.
Tibetan Apprenticeship Program
Students who have completed at least four Tibetan courses are eligible to apply to the Nalanda Translation Committee Apprenticeship Program, which provides funding for a year (or more) for further Tibetan language training with the translation committee after graduation.
