Thrangu Sekhar

Institute of Meditation

Department of Languages

Language plays a key role in the study and preservation of Buddhism, like a key unlocking its meaning, making it available to all who might benefit from its wisdom. Most study and practice texts remain untranslated from the original Tibetan, making Tibetan language an indispensable tool for students seeking to study Buddhism in this tradition. 

We have therefore made the study of languages a key part of academic life at Thrangu Sekhar and the Institute in particular, offering courses in Tibetan and English language for certificate students. 

Students start with the basics of the respective alphabets and simple phrases, then progress onto Dharma terminology and cursive handwriting. They end their course with a level of proficiency that should enable basic comprehension of a simple dharma teaching in the target language.

Teaching and examination

Classes are given by native Tibetan and English speakers. Full course material is available in Tibetan and English, and limited material in Mandarin and French. 

These modules are tested with mid-semester oral and end-of-semester written examinations. For students learning Tibetan, the oral and written exams must be taken in Tibetan. For students learning English, the oral and written exams must be taken in English.

This module counts towards 20% of the overall annual grade for the respective course. Mid-semester oral exams each count for 4% of the overall annual grade, and the end-of-semester written exams count for 6% each.

Course Modules

CERTIFICATE: BUDDHIST MEDITATION

Semester 1

Semester 1: Introduction to Tibetan / English Language – Beginner level

The Tibetan course is comprised of two main units:

  1. Written Tibetan:
    1. Recognising the alphabet
    2. Reading by spelling out
    3. Reading whole words
    4. Training in basic uchen script
  2. Spoken Tibetan:
    1. Basic phrases, introductions etc.
    2. Present, past and future simple tenses
    3. Dharma vocabulary

The English course is comprised of two main units:

  1. Written English:
    1. Recognising the alphabet
    2. Reading through phonetics
    3. Reading whole words
    4. Training in basic non-cursive script
  2. Spoken English:
    1. Basic phrases, introductions etc.
    2. Present continuous, past simple and future simple tenses
    3. Dharma vocabulary
Semester 2

Semester 2: Introduction to Tibetan / English Language – Intermediate level

The Tibetan course is comprised of two main units:

  1. Written Tibetan:
    1. Training in accuracy and speed when reading aloud
    2. Training in comprehension when reading
    3. Training in basic umé script
  2. Spoken Tibetan:
    1. Compound phrases, explanations etc.
    2. Perfect tenses, conjunctions, phrasal verbs
    3. Dharma vocabulary

The English course is comprised of two main units:

  1. Written English:
    1. Training in pronunciation when reading aloud
    2. Training in comprehension when reading
    3. Training in basic cursive script
  2. Spoken English:
    1. Compound phrases, explanations etc.
    2. Continuous tenses, conjunctions, prepositions, and phrasal verbs
    3. Pronunciation
    4. Dharma vocabulary