~Registration for Spring 2025 Courses Is Now Open~
Click here for all academic deadlines (application, registration, scholarship application, etc)
Spring course descriptions are at the bottom of this page and faculty bios are here
Spring 2025 Course Descriptions
CS302: Finding Your Voice: Communication and Context (2 credits)
This is the second course in the service pillar at Maitripa College, which builds on the foundation of the first term, exploring concepts and practicalities related to identifying and expressing yourself as a spiritual leader in modern society and establishing a unique and relevant “voice.” We will explore traditional, historical, and contemporary “voices” of Spiritual Leadership, and mediums for expressing that voice, including online platforms, the Academy, spiritual communities, and others. This class includes a concurrent 15 hour service project.
CS304: Servant Leadership in Buddhist/Spiritual Communities (2 credits)
This course will explore methods of servant leadership in support of Buddhist/spiritual communities, with a particular emphasis on cultivating the inner and outer qualities of skillful community ministry. Students will develop their understanding of our impact on others and increase awareness of how issues such as equity, trauma, ethics and so forth inform the ways in which we share and represent the dharma. This course will help strengthen students’ understanding and practice of compassion for others, including discussion of contemporary application of skillful means, co-constructing spiritual practice environments, facilitating group practices, religious education and pedagogy, working in relational dynamics, and integrating these pieces into one’s personal service.
MDT308: Techniques of Meditation: Mahamudra (2 credits)
This course will continue with instruction in meditation based on the practices established in MDT 303 (fall semester), with a focus on deepening Shiné (calm abiding) and practicing mahamudra instructions for realizing conventional and ultimate natures of mind. The subject matter will parallel the topics of Buddhist philosophy as taught in as taught in PHL307. The course will be taught in an interactive format, allowing students the opportunity to learn specific meditations as directed by the instructor, practice them, and discuss their experiences in class. Part of this class will include regular meditation sessions out of class, the keeping of a sitting journal, and the opportunity for objective discussion on the effect of these practices on the individual’s mind. If desired, the committed student will have the opportunity to work with the instructor to design a personal meditation practice.
This course meets degree requirements as the equivalent of MDT304: Techniques of Meditation A Dose of Emptiness.
PHL308: Mahamudra: Realizing the Nature of Mind (2 credits)
This course will be taught by Dr. Patrick Lambelet (weeks 1-9) and Dr. Roger Jackson (weeks 10-15). Course description coming soon.
This course meets degree requirements as the equivalent of PHL304: A Dose of Emptiness.
THL328: Approaches to the Understanding of World Religions (2 credits)
Course description coming soon.
THL414: Pathways to Transformation: Buddhist Rituals in Theory and Practice (2 credits)
This course explores the transformative power of Buddhist rituals through an integration of theory and practice. Students will study key rituals, their historical and theoretical foundations, and their role in transforming the mind and fostering spiritual growth. The course emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging analysis, collaboration in ritual settings, and personal reflection to deepen understanding and a sense of community. Students will develop skills to adapt and apply rituals to contemporary contexts, fostering lifelong engagement with Buddhist practice and an appreciation for the depth and relevance of these traditions.
TIB202: Classical Tibetan Language Intermediate II (2 credits)
Students continue to deepen their knowledge of Tibetan grammar and syntax through reading and decoding basic verse and prose texts and commentaries on Buddhist philosophy and practice in their original language. This course also introduces basic translation theory. Whenever possible, students receive oral commentary of the texts they are working with as part of the class and begin to learn how to translate formal logical statements so common in Tibetan philosophical exegesis.
TIB301(r): Seminar in Tibetan Translation (2 credits)
Students read and translate Tibetan texts and their commentaries in their original language. In this course we will learn reading and reciting Tibetan texts, developing pronunciation, and translating with an emphasis on communicating the meaning.