A SIX-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM

The LTWA is pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the first intake of
our six-year degree course on Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy. Through this program, we
aim to offer students the chance to study Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy in a Tibetan
environment, for an affordable fee. Starting in April 2015, we will be offering a one-year diploma,
three-year bachelors degree, and a two-year masters degree. We are currently looking for 20-25
students to enroll in the first year.

Criteria: As all classes will be predominantly taught in Tibetan and most course materials and texts
will be in Tibetan -chen script, applicants are required to have a conversational understanding of
spoken Tibetan and the ability to read the Tibetan -chen script.

Program: Over the course of this six-year program, students will study four of the five major fields of
Tibetan Buddhism: Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (Middle Way philosophy),
Abhidharma (Treasure of Knowledge), Pramana (Epistemology and Logic), as well as Tantra. The fifth
subject, Vinaya (Monastic Discipline) will be replaced by a course on Buddhist ethics. In accordance
with traditional Tibetan teaching techniques, a strong emphasis will be placed on study,
contemplation, and familiarization, as well as a good combination of ethics, concentration,
discernment, and the unity of compassion and wisdom. To achieve this there will be regular hours
for meditation on compassion, and the study of logic for clear discernment. Students will be
encouraged to implement what they are studying in daily life.

The school year will start on April 15, finish on December 18, and consist of two semesters with a
sixteen-day break between the semesters. There will be four hour-long classes each weekday
morning, leaving most afternoons free for study, and no classes on weekends. This program will
have examinations and assignments which must be passed/completed in order for the student to
proceed onto the next paper/years. Students must have 70% attendance.


Six-Year Degree Curriculum
Buddhist Philosophy and Tibetan Language

()
Diploma (One Year)

The Curriculum for Buddhist Philosophy and Epistemology

The Collected Topics, Mind and Awareness, Signs and Reasonings, System of Tenets, and Paths and
Grounds

Textbooks

<<>>

1. Yongzin Phurchok Jampa Tsultrim's Magic Key for the Path of Reasoning: The Collected Topics for
Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Path of Reasoning

<<>>
2. Yongzin Phurchok Jampa Tsultrim's Magic Key for the Path of Reasoning: The Presentation of Mind and
Awareness

<<>>
3. Khedup Gelek Pelsang's Captivating the Mind of the Wise: The Presentation of Paths and Grounds

<<>>
4. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama's Teachings on Garland of Gems: System of Tenets

<<>>
5. Geshe Tsultrim Namgyal's Mirror Illuminating All Phenomena: Signs and Reasonings

Reference Books

<<>>
1. Jamyang Lama Choklha Woser's The Collected Topics of Ratoe Monastery

<<>>
2. Konchok Jigme Wangpo's Garland of Gems: System of Tenets

<<>>
3. The Compilation of Buddhist Science and Buddhist Philosophy; published by Gaden Phodrang Trust, Office
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
()
Bachelor of Arts (Three Years)

First Year: Epistemology and Mind Training

Textbooks

<<>> <<
>>
1. Nagarjuna's Garland of Gems (Ratnavali) and Gyaltsab Darma Rinchen's Elucidating the Essence of
Ratnavali

<<>> <<>>
2. Shantideva's Bodhisattvas' Way of Life (Bodhicharyavatara) and Gyaltsab Darma Rinchen's Root-text
Commentary on Bodhicharyavatara

<<>> <<
>>
3. Dharmakirti's Compilation of Valid Cognition (Pramanavartika) (Second Chapter) and Gyaltsab Darma
Rinchen's Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment: An Exposition on Pramanavartika

Reference Books

<<>>
1. Mewa Khenchen Sonam Choedup's commentary on Ratnavali: Illuminating the Scriptures: Advice to the King

<<>>
2. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama's Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara

<<>>
3. Ju Mipham's Treasure Illuminating the Elegant Teaching: A Clear Commentary on Pramanavartika

()
Second Year: Perfection of Wisdom (Texts)

<<>> <<>>
1. Maitreya's Ornament of Clear Realization (Abhisamayalankara) and Panchen Sonam Dakpa's Root-text
Commentary on Abhisamayalankara

<<>>
2. Panchen Sonam Dakpa's Garland of Upala: Provisional and True Meanings

<<>>
3. A commentary on the seventy topics: Feast for the Mind Clarifying the Elegant Teachings Following
Pachen Sonam Dakpa's Texts
Reference Books

<< >>
1. Ornament of Quintessential Exposition: A Commentary on Abhisamayalankara

Third Year: Middle Way Philosophy

Textbooks

<<>> <<>>
1. Nagarjuna's Fundamental Treatise on the Middle Way (Madhyamakakarika) and Je Tsongkhapa's Ocean of
Reasoning: A Great Commentary on Madhyamakakarika

<<>> <<>>
2. Chandrakirti's Entering the Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara) and Je Tsongkhapa's Illuminating the
Thought of Middle Way

Reference Books

<<>>
1. Buddhapalita's Buddhapalita: A Commentary on Madhyamakakarika

<<>>
2. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama's Teachings on Madhyamakakarika

<<>>
3. Chandrakirti's Auto-commentary to Entering the Middle Way

<<>>
4. The First Dalai Lama Gedun Drup's Mirror Elucidating the Meaning of Entering the Middle Way
 ()
Master of Arts (Two Years)

First Year: Abhidharmakosha

Textbooks

<<>> <<>>
Vasubandhu's Abhidharmakosha and Chim Jampel Yang's Ornament of Higher Knowledge: A Commentary on
Abhidharmakosha

Reference Books

<< >>
1. Druk Gyalwang Choeje's Sunlight of the Senses: A Commentary on Abhidharmakosha

<<>>
2. The First Dalai Lama Gedun Drup's Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment: A Commentary on
Abhidharmakosha

Second Year: Ethics and Tantra

Textbooks

<<>>
1. Tsongkhapa's Highway to Enlightenment: Exposition to the Bodhisattvabhumi and Exposition on Root
Downfalls

<<>>
2. Yangchen Gawae Lodro's A Shore of Good Fortune: A System of Paths and Grounds

Reference Books

<<>>
1. Sakya Pandita's Classification of the Three Precepts

<< >>
2. Je Tsongkhapa's Great Exposition of the Stages of Mantrayana: The General Presentation of Entering
Different Paths of the Buddhadharma (First Chapter)

<<>>
3. Panchen Sonam Dakpa's General Presentation of Classes of Tantras
 2015 Programs for the Two Semesters

First Semester April 15 to July 31 3 months

Summer Break August 1 to August 16 16 days

Second Semester August 17 to December 18 4 months

Winter Break December 19 to March 14, 2016 3 months

Class Timetable: Monday to Friday
Time Subject Lecturer

Geshe Lobsang Tsondu
9:00 to 10:00 Buddhist Philosophy

10:00 to 11:00 Tibetan Language Sonam Gyatso, Tsering Norbu, Dadon and Phubu Dolma

Tea Break
11:00 to 11:15

Geshe Gyaltsen Tsering
11:15 to 12:15 Buddhist Philosophy
Dr. Chok and Kunga
12:15to 1:00 Tibetan Language

Lunch Break
1:00 to 2:00

2:00 to 3:00 Study and exposure to other Tibetan studies

First Semester: Tibetan Language Lecturers, Curriculum, Texts, and Periods

Lecturer Curriculum Text Period






Dr. Chok
Pronunciation;
April 15 to July 31
listening, reading &
Substitution: speaking skills &
Kunga introducing 'khyug
and tshugs thung
scripts

April 15 to 17


May 11 to 15
Comprehension
Acharya
Sonam Gyatso June 8 to 12

July 7 to 10

April 20 to 24

May 18 to 22


Phurbu Dolma Grammar & spelling
June 15 to 19

July 13 to 19

April 27 to May 1
8

May 25 to 29

Writing & composition
Dadon
June 22 to 26


July 20 to 26

May 4 to 8


June 1 to 5
Buddhist history &
Uma Rabjampa moral principles
Tsering Norbu June 29 to July 3

July 27 to 30
Note: Monthly tests will be on May 29 and June 26; and the first semester exam will be on July 31

First and Second Semesters: Buddhist Philosophy and Epistemology Lecturers, Curriculum, Texts, and Periods

Lecturer Curriculum Text Period

1. Collected Topics 1. Magic Key for the Path of Reasoning: 1. April 15 to May 15
Introductory Path of Reasoning

2. Mind and 2. May 18 to June 19
2. Magic Key for the Path of Reasoning:
Awareness
Intermediate Path of Reasoning
3. June 22 to July 31
3. Signs and

Geshe Reasonings 3. Magic Key for the Path of Reasoning:
4. August 17 to October 16
Advanced Path of Reasoning
Lobsang Tsondu

4. Magic Key for the Path of Reasoning: Mind 5. October 19 to December 18
and Awareness

5. Mirror Illuminating All Phenomena:
Signs and Reasonings

1. Paths and 2. Captivating the Mind of the Wise: The 1. April 15 to July 31

Grounds Presentation of Paths and Grounds

2. July 1 to September 15
Geshe
2. Tenets
Gyaltsen
3. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Teachings
Tsering
on Garland of Gems: System of Tenets

Note: Monthly tests will be on May 29, June 26, September 29, October 31 and November 30; and the first and
semesters exams will be on July 31 and December 17