Tibetan Buddhism

Lama Tzong Khapa Institute offers a wide variety of courses and retreats, as well as regular programs, throughout the year on Buddhism and meditation in the Tibetan tradition of Lama Tzong Khapa.

Courses and retreats are of varying lengths and varying levels of difficulty, ranging from introductory, to intermediate, to advanced. Weekend courses, as well as longer courses held during holidays, are taught by both qualified Tibetan masters and Western teachers. Meditation retreats are generally led by Western teachers; many of these retreats are hosted at nearby Pundarika Retreat Center.

The Institute also offers a wide range of regular programs on Tibetan Buddhism, which are repeated at regular intervals.

• The introductory level programs provide a general overview of Buddhist philosophy and practice. These include:
  • Buddhism in a Nutshell
  • Meditation 101
  • Advice for Death and Dying

• The intermediate level study programs provide a more extensive presentation of the entire spiritual path of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.These include:
  • Discovering Buddhism
  • Wisdom and Compassion
  • Living in the Path

• The advanced level study programs include both academic programs for the indepth study of Buddhist science, philosophy, and psychology, as well as tantra programs for experienced practitioners. 
  • The advanced programs are full-time residential programs with classes Monday to Friday, nine months a year.
    • A two-year FPMT Basic Program is structured program of study and practice. It is an excellent preparation for the seven-year Masters Program.
    • The seven-year FPMT Masters Program in Advanced Buddhist Studies of Sutra and Tantra is particularly aimed at forming qualified Western teachers of Buddhist philosophy, psychology, and practice.
  • Tantra programs include empowerments and brief and extensive commentaries conferred by qualified Tibetan lamas, as well as tantric retreats led by experienced Western practitioners.

The FPMT Basic Program and FPMT Masters Program are also offered in English as on-line courses, whereas most of the introductory, intermediated, and advanced level programs are offered in Italian as on-line courses.