This course focuses on acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to read Buddhist literature—primarily liturgical and commentarial texts—in Tibetan. Students engage in a detailed study of Tibetan grammar from the perspective of both classical and modern analyses. Reading starts with simple phrases to build vocabulary and familiarity with common grammatical structures. As students gain experience, they gradually read increasingly long and complex passages. Students are introduced to the traditional discipline of jor-lo (sbyor klog) — “reading the connections.”

Faculty: Mark Seibold

Dates and Times: Friday mornings September 24 – December 17, 2021 from 9am – 10:30am Pacific time

Prerequisites:  Knowledge of the Tibetan alphabet, spelling rules, and a basic grasp of Tibetan grammar. Students are asked to translate a short passage from Tibetan to English to help the instructor determine their proficiency. LAN500 or equivalent is recommended. Instructor’s permission is required.