MP students 1998


MP students 2003


MP students 2008


MP students writing an exam

RESIDENTIAL STUDY PROGRAM

The heart of the FPMT Masters Program in Buddhist Studies is the full-time residential study program, which offers both lay and ordained students the opportunity to receive extensive teachings from the resident teacher, personal support from the staff, as well as invaluable interaction with other students - all of which is uniquely fashioned to assist and encourage the understanding and practice of the Dharma.

• Overview of the Schedule: Masters Program classes are conducted nine months a year, mid-January to end June and the beginning of September to mid-December, and include daily teachings from the principal teacher Monday through Friday, along with four classes a week conducted by the teaching assistants for review and discussion of the current material.

• Languages and Materials: Teachings are serially translated from Tibetan into English, and English into Italian. The texts and all supplementary study material are available in both languages. Separate review classes and discussion groups are conducted in English and Italian.

• Examinations: Quizzes are given once a week and written examinations are held at three-month intervals. At the end of the entire program, students who have successfully completed all five subjects can write the final comprehensive exam in order to qualify for the final Masters Program certificate.

• Retreat: Students who complete the entire program and wish to obtain the final Masters Program Certificate are required do a total of twelve months of retreat. Those students who have participated in the three one-month lam-rim retreats, which respectively follow Ornament, Middle Way, and Treasury, are required to do merely nine months of retreat at the end of the program, whereas those students who have not participated in the three one-month retreats are required to do twelve months of retreat. The final retreat can be done whenever and wherever the student chooses (it will be up to the student to make his/her own arrangements).

• Certification: A completion card that attests to the successful completion of the five individual subjects as well as a final Masters Program certificate are issued by the FPMT Education Department. Criteria for certification include academic, meditation, and behavior components as well as a minimum attendance in the various aspects of the program.


If you still have questions after exploring the information on this site, please contact the Masters Program Coordinator.