Completing the Level II Course, students are empowered to delve deeper into their study of Tibetan using various TLI reader/translation workbooks. As with previous courses, the group reads and studies a Classical Tibetan text such as the Heart Sutra in conjunction with the study of The Divine Tree Grammar Poem and Commentary. With Lama David as your experienced guide, we will study in an integrated manner to learn more about Tibetan grammar and vocabulary, as well as about Tibetan Buddhism.
Reading & Translating Course in Tibetan
$90.00
- Description
- Additional information
- How This Course Works
- Required & Recommended Materials
- Course Details
- Course Instructor
- What Students Say about the Reading Course:
Description
Reading & Translating Course in Tibetan
Extension Course: The Three Principal Aspects of the Path Reading & Grammar Course
A 5-Week Extension Course by Zoom starting Thursday, April 9, 2026.
The class will finish verses in The Three Principal Aspects of the Path Translation Workbook (2022) and Rockwell’s Primer for Classical Literary Tibetan. The class will also study the Tibetan-English Dharma Vocabulary book.
This extension course is open to anyone who has taken our Level II Course.
The classes will aid you to more fully understand Buddhist teachings by reading the Dharma in the original Classical Literary Tibetan, supplemented by grammar and vocabulary studies.
We aim to help demystify Tibetan for Dharma students in order for them to enrich their practice. Our task in this 5-week course is to learn about and gain experience in reading classical literary Tibetan–the language of the sacred texts of all lineages for more than a millennium.
Goals of the short course: Understanding the text, expanding grammar and vocabulary.
Please note: The required texts are not included in the registration fees.
- TLI translation workbooks feature parsed, student-friendly texts.
- This is an excellent opportunity to learn some of the most commonly occurring vocabulary terms of Buddhist texts through the study of the Tibetan-English Dharma Vocabulary.
- Students will also be able to continue learning about grammar. Lama David discusses texts, making frequent reference to the Divine Tree Grammar Poem and Commentary and John Rockwell’s A Primer for Classical Literary Tibetan.
- Lama David will also share some of the Dharma teachings woven into the chosen text.
Required Texts
Study materials are not included in registration fees.
- TLI’s The Three Principal Aspects of the Path Translation Workbook (2022)
- Tibetan-English Dharma Vocabulary (found in the Level I Package)
- TLI’s Divine Tree Grammar Poem and Commentary, 2021 edition (found in the Level II Package).
- John Rockwell’s excellent A Primer for Classical Literary Tibetan: selections from the Grammar in Volume I. This will be used during 1 or 2 classes. Lama David considers it a valuable tool for students.
Student Goal: to study 30 minutes of Tibetan per day.
Class Dates: Thursdays, April 9-May 7, 2026.
Time: 4:00-5:45 pm US Pacific Time.
Duration: 5 Weeks
Hosted on: Zoom
Video recordings of classes and student folders on Dropbox: Available to students until 10:59 pm US Pacific Time on September 15, 2026.
Additional information
| Brand | Tibetan Language Institute |
|---|
How This Course Works
- Add this course to your cart.
- Purchase your study materials. See Required & Recommended Materials.
- Check out and pay. You will receive a confirmation of your purchase, and then shortly before the class start date, a personal welcome email with course details.
- For the duration of the course, class video recordings and study guides will be made available to you each week as you progress through the course.
Required & Recommended Materials
- The Divine Tree Grammar Poem Workbook, 2nd edition
- A Primer for Classical Literary Tibetan by John Rockwell
- TLI’s The Three Principal Aspects of the Path by Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa Translation Workbook (2022), edited and translated by by David Curtis
Course Details
Being able to access this kind of course from the comfort of your home or when you are traveling is a great opportunity to continue to deepen your relationship to the Dharma.
Weekly Class Meetings: 10 weeks on Thursdays
4:00 PM – 5:45 PM Pacific Time
5:00 PM – 6:45 PM Mountain Time
6:00PM – 7:45 PM Central Time
7:00PM – 8:45 PM Eastern Time
Course Instructor
The principal instructor at TLI is David Curtis. He has a university degree in Classical language. David began his Dharma studies in 1980, traveling in 1984 to receive teachings from H.H. the Dalai Lama. He lived and trained at Kagyu Ling in France, in 1992 completing the traditional Tibetan Three-Year Retreat in meditation, yoga and philosophy. Subsequently David has sought teachings from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
In 1993 he began teaching the Tibetan language to students in Los Angeles. Many Rinpoches from Kagyu and Nyingma lineages have encouraged him to teach Tibetan and guide others in their meditation practice. As a teacher and author, Lama David established the nonprofit Tibetan Language Institute in 1996 and is its president and executive director.
Lama David combines his linguistic skills with a practitioner’s knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism. In 2007, Gochen Tulku Rinpoche (Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche) awarded him the title of Acharya (master teacher). For more information.
What Students Say about the Reading Course:
“Studying Tibetan has absolutely transformed my retirement–I can’t explain my excitement when a formerly opaque liturgy or text suddenly jumps off the page with meaning! So I can’t thank you & David enough for all you that offer. –Richard D
“A primary hope of mine was that learning classical Tibetan would deepen my understanding and love of Buddhadharma. It has done so immeasurably, and much, much more…. –Jim L.
