Buddhism Study Programs

NamelessRiver

I was just pondering over how some centers (FPMT among others) have this structured study course that lasts like 6 years with tons of stuff to do and even some retreats.

Are any of you guys involved in something like that or have a system for learning about Buddhism on the long haul (like a five year project or something)?

Is there any thing like that in Theravada or Zen? (I mean centers offering long courses for laity).

Dakini

I think the Ch'an school, Fo Guang Shan, has a pretty structured long-term program, but they're only in CA (for the US). They're in Europe, too, I think, and NZ.

Takuan

There are a couple Zen courses that are run like master's degree programs. In fact, I believe they even give master's degrees along with dharma transmission. I just have to remember their names. lol

Vincenzi

I think the most famous ones are in Japan: Naropa and Tokyo Universities

Floating_Abu

But study is never as exciting as the real thing (IMO)

_/\_

Fenix

I was just pondering over how some centers (FPMT among others) have this structured study course that lasts like 6 years with tons of stuff to do and even some retreats.

wow, that sounds cool

DaltheJigsaw

This sounds really interesting! I will have to take a look!

caz

The NKT has a pretty rigourous few study programes, General programme classes are applicable for anyone to turn up and listen the study programe cycles through Geshe-la books,The next course up from that is the foundation programme which consists of an in depth study of 6 core texts which are...
1. Joyful path of good fortune ( a commentary to Atisha's Lamrim instructions )
2. universal compassion ( a commentary to Bodhisattva Geshe Chekawas Training the mind in 7 points )
3. Eight steps to happiness ( a commentary to Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa's 8 versus of training the mind )
4. Heart of wisdom ( a commentary to the Heart Sutra )
5. Meaningful to Behold ( a commentary to Bodhisattva Shantidevas Guide to the Bodhisattvas way of life.
6. Understanding the mind ( a detailed explanation of the mind based on the works of scholar such as Dharmakirit and Dignaga.

The next course from foundation is the teacher training programme which takes about 12 years where they study 14 texts of sutra and tantra as well as the previously mentioned books.

Tekchef

In Ukiah, CA, there is the Dharma Realm Buddhist University in the City of 10,000 Buddhas monastary. It is a Chan Monastary.