Student Categories and Criteria
With His Holinesses wishes in mind, School of Snowland welcomes students from all over the world who are interested in the study of Buddhism, Tibetan language and Tibetan culture. All can apply for admission, without any discrimination on the ground of race, nationality, religion, gender or age. Our school was established under the direct supervision of Gyudmed Tantric Monastic School.
Essential Requirements
1. A candidate must not be a practitioner of Dolgyal (Shugden), or share any spiritual or worldly relation with those practicing Dolgyal.
2. A candidate must strictly follow the rules and regulations of the school, seeking admission only for the purpose of knowledge and study.
Buddhism Courses Offered
- Short-term Buddhism Beginners Course (Two weeks)
- Life stories of the Buddha, Three Turning of the Wheels of Dharma, etc. Our beginner’s course introduction to Buddhism in 48-class sessions lasting two week.
- Intermediate Buddhism Course (Four weeks)
- Buddhist Study of Mind and Mental Factors, Basic Dialectics, Philosophical Views, Tenets, Our intermediate course consists of 96-class sessions lasting four weeks.
- Advanced Buddhism course (Three months)
Discrimination of the Definitive and the provisional, philosophical views of the Madhyamaka and Cittamatra Schools, Tibetan Language, etc. Our advanced duration course shall last for three months of no less than 250-class sessions, having specific time allotted for debates, presentation and writing assignment.
Advanced “Four years” Extended Buddhism Course
Those interested in “in-dept” Buddhist studies can attend our four year program of advance studies in Buddhism. The four-year program will have 10 study months and two months of holiday in each calendar year. Two semesters of 5 months each will make up one study year. Each semester will have 18 weeks of class session, 2 weeks for examination and for study review.
Phase One “Commentary on the Compendium of Valid Cognition” (Nam-drel, Pramanavartika), Chapter 1-3 from “Tresury of Knowledge” (Dzoe, Abhidharmakosha)
Phase Two “Presentations on the Four Buddhist Schools of Philosophy” (Drub-tha, Siddhanta),
Phase Three “Engaging in the Ways of Bodhisattvas” (Choe-jug, Bodhicaryavatara)
Phase Four “Great Exposition on the Stages of Paths” (Lamrim Chenmo), “Great Exposition on stage of Tantra” (Ngagrim Chenmo)
Students also have the option once completing the first two years of study, of taking a break from study and later enroll for the third and fourth years of our program.
Again students in the 4 year program must be fluent in the Tibetan Language.
Buddhism courses / medium of instruction and translation: Currently Buddhism courses are taught only in Tibetan language.
Tibetan Language courses offered
Our language courses are designed to get students speaking and reading basic Tibetan language as fast as possible with students receiving four Classes daily. These four daily classes are divided into; vocabulary, grammar, review and conversation classes.
Language courses/medium of instruction and translation
All Tibetan language courses are taught by bilingual teachers, currently courses are taught from English into Tibetan but courses can be arranged to be translated into Chinese and Hindi as well.
Opportunity for conversation practice
Probably the best language resource we have here at Snowland is simply the fact that we are located in a Tibetan monastery surrounded by Tibetan villages. Students studying here have an enormous benefit of being to speak and interact daily with native Tibetan speakers.
Beginners Tibetan language course: 3 month course
(Shorter course are available per request)
Our beginner’s course briefly covers the introduction to basic Tibetan language, this course covers: learning the alphabet, pronunciation, reading, writing, conversation and grammar. This is an excellent course for those who want a taste and basic understanding of Tibetan. This course consists of 4 classes each day, 6 days a week for three months.
Text books: A Basic Grammar of Modern Spoken Tibetan – Vol.1
The language text books used by Snowland were authored and published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala India, We believe these to be excellent study manuals for their ability to teach students of any level, whether university student or part time student.
Intermediate Tibetan language course: 3 month course
Our intermediate course: Goes deeper into and past basic Tibetan language, This course covers: more complex forms of grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing, and conversation. This is an excellent course for deepening your understanding and proficiency in Tibetan. This course consists of 4 classes each day, 6 days a week for three month.
Text book: Modern Tibetan Language – Vol.2
Advanced Tibetan language course: 3 month course
Our Advanced course: Enters the world of Tibetan Buddhism and Dharma, This course covers: Dharma forms of grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing, and conversation. This is an excellent course for starting to understanding Buddhist Dharma in Tibetan. This course consists of 4 classes each day, 6 days a week for three month.
Text book: Lectures on Tibetan Religious Culture by Geshe Lhundup Sopa The language text books used by Snowland were authored and published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala India, We believe these to be excellent study manuals for their ability to teach students of any level, whether university student or part time student.
Longer term Tibetan language private classes:
can be arranged as needed. Private classes of: One, two or three years can be arranged through our office.
Course Schedule
Facilities and Support
The monastery shall provide; food, accommodation, teacher, translator, study materials and, of course, a simple reception.
All schedules of course dates will be posted to our website and may be changed without notice. Please check and verify the correct course schedule before sending your documentation.
Scheduling your group or school
To Scheduling Your Group or Schools, study abroad program or private classes, please contact or office for availability