The Place

Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa is a very active teaching center with regular courses on Tibetan Buddhism in the Gelug tradition of Lama Tzong Khapa ranging in length from a single weekend to several years. It is known in particular for its advanced full-time and on-line study programs - the two-year Basic Program (the 2012-2013 cycle is a university accredited program) and the seven-year Masters Program in Advanced Buddhist Studies.  Students come from all over the world to participate in these unique programs designed to train Western students of Buddhism to become qualified teachers. In addition, on weekends and during holiday periods there are several courses on a wide range of pther related topics.

The two resident Tibetan teachers and a sangha of almost 30 monks and nuns - teachers, staff, and students - together with a large community of lay residents and students make the Institute a true place for the upholding of the teachings of the Buddha.

In addition, a large number of full-time staff, supported by a group of hard-working volunteers, keep all the various sectors of the Institute up and running including reception, the shop, coffee bar, Japanese tea garden, kitchen and house cleaning, maintenance, garden, library, publishing house, and translation office.

The Institute's main building houses a beautiful Tibetan-Tuscan meditation hall, a conference room, two dining halls, a library, office areas, and rooms and dormitories for staff, volunteers, and guests. A small restored chapel dedicated to the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig, set in a wooded area of the property is an ideal place for smaller courses. A private house is home to the Institute's resident Tibetan teachers. The grounds with over 200 olive trees are further beautified with five stupas (traditional Tibetan reliquary monuments), a prayer wheel, many buddha statues, and a Japanese tea garden.

Weather

October to December is autumn in Tuscany. Although the weather is pleasant during the day when the sun is shining, there can be a fair amount of rain with a corresponding drop in temperature. Tempertures in October generally range from an average high of 20°C to an average low of 10°C, in November from an average high of 15°C to an average low of 6°C, and in December from an average high of 11°C to an average low of 3°C.

What to Bring

• a laptop computer to access course materials and internet
• layered clothing, including a warm jacket, for changeable weather
• an umbrella
• walking shoes as there are graveled areas and rocky stairs on the Institute’s property
• an FM radio (weekend courses with the resident Tibetan teachers are generally translated into English over FM radio)
• an alarm clock
• a flashlight for the not always well-lit paths