Giao Long Monastery & Institute stands as a meeting place of East and West where the stillness of the Himalayas finds its echo in the freedom of America. We believe education is not merely to understand the world, but to transform it through presence, kindness, and mindful service.
Founded on Bodhicitta — the Heart of Awakening for All Beings. Born from the vast compassion and enlightened aspiration of Grand master Huỳnh Anh Hải, Giao Long Monastery & Institute was established as a living expression of Bodhicitta — the wish to bring wisdom, peace, and liberation to all beings.
At Giao Long Monastery, learning isn't just academic it's a path toward both understanding and awakening. Our programs give students a chance to engage directly with Tibetan Buddhism's living tradition: through philosophy and meditation, language study, and service rooted in compassion. Whether you're starting with foundational courses or pursuing advanced research. If you're looking for academic rigor, personal growth, or a meaningful way to contribute to others, Giao Long provides the space to do that. It's a place where wisdom and compassion aren't just ideals they're practiced daily. Find the path that speaks to you, and take the first step.
The world changes, yet the path of awakening remains timeless.
At Giao Long, you are invited to learn, to practice, and to live the Dharma in every moment.
In this full-time on-campus model, learners immerse themselves entirely in monastic life at Giao Long Monastery. The contemplative education follows the traditional Tibetan Buddhist curriculum leading to Geshe, Khenpo, or Acharya qualifications, fostering both personal growth and scholarly excellence.
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By combining online-study modules with scheduled on-site residencies at the monastery, we offers learners the flexibility to integrate monastic study. Participants remain connected to their home commitments to authentic monastic training, meditation, ritual, scholarly study, and community life.
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The international exchange model offers students from around the world the opportunity to study Tibetan Buddhist monastic education in a multicultural context. Participants engage in a semester or year-long program on-campus, combining scholarly study, monastic life, and cross-cultural exchange.
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The research program at Giao Long Monastery provides focused workshops, retreats or specialised study periods, lasting from a few days to several weeks. It enables participants to dive deeply into a specific topic or practice within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition without long-term commitment.
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Amelia Wilson
Giao Long –Shedra I: Foundational Buddhist Studies (College)
Prakash Sharma
Giao Long - Geshe / Khenpo Track: Monastic Graduate Program in Buddhist Philosophy (Khenpo Curriculum - Ph.D)
Andreas Pappas
Giao Long - Exchange Programme: 1 year immersion in monastic life and study.
Tenzin Dolma
Giao Long – Shedra II: Intermediate Buddhist Philosophy (BA)
Giao Long Monastery Flow captures the living current of our monastery a space where news, events, and stories move in harmony with the Dharma. Here, you can follow the evolving rhythm of teachings, community milestones, and campus life, all guided by wisdom and compassion. Each update is part of a greater stream of learning and awakening that connects everyone who walks this path.
Every contribution, regardless of its size, becomes part of a greater act of compassion. Your support sustains both our humanitarian projects and our educational mission. Donations are used to provide free food, shelter, and healthcare to underserved communities, as well as to maintain the monastery’s tuition-free study programs for students from around the world. Each gift strengthens our ability to embody compassion in tangible ways—turning generosity into relief, and faith into opportunity. Regular reports, images, and updates ensure every donor can witness how their kindness becomes lasting impact.
Yes. Giao Long Monastery operates under U.S. Federal law as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This designation guarantees that all donations are tax-deductible and managed with full transparency. Our financial reports and annual audits are publicly available to ensure accountability. We uphold the highest standards of ethical stewardship, ensuring that each dollar entrusted to us is used mindfully, efficiently, and for the benefit of all beings.
Yes. Donors may choose from several focus areas: education, humanitarian relief, community development, or monastic infrastructure. Each project is clearly defined with measurable goals, timelines, and regular progress updates. We encourage supporters to follow the journey of their chosen cause—seeing firsthand how collective compassion builds lasting transformation.
Yes. Donors may choose from several focus areas: education, humanitarian relief, community development, or monastic infrastructure. Each project is clearly defined with measurable goals, timelines, and regular progress updates. We encourage supporters to follow the journey of their chosen cause—seeing firsthand how collective compassion builds lasting transformation.
No. Giao Long Monastery welcomes all who wish to understand the principles of compassion, awareness, and inner peace. Our students come from many faiths and cultures, united by a shared respect for the Dharma as a living philosophy of humanity. The teachings are not meant to convert, but to awaken understanding.
There are four core pathways:
(1) On-Campus Full-Time Study, immersing students fully in monastic life;
(2) Low-Residency Programs, blending online learning with in-person retreats;
(3) Exchange Programs, connecting with partner monasteries and universities worldwide; and
(4) Specialized Research, for those pursuing advanced studies in Buddhist philosophy or translation. Each path leads toward wisdom and service.
Each Shedra program lasts approximately three years, progressively deepening the understanding of Buddhist philosophy, logic, and practice. Completing the Geshe or Khenpo track typically takes nine to twelve years, aligning with Western academic equivalents of a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degree. The structure honors traditional monastic discipline while meeting contemporary academic rigor.
Yes, international students are warmly welcomed. All core teachings are conducted in English, with Tibetan gradually introduced. The monastery provides accommodation and vegetarian meals at no cost, allowing students to focus fully on study and spiritual development. Visa guidance and community integration support are also provided.
Yes. The Low-Residency Program offers the flexibility to study remotely while participating in seasonal retreats for direct practice and assessment. Students engage through live seminars, guided readings, and mentoring from resident monastics. This model ensures that distance learners remain connected to the heart of the monastery.
Community life at Giao Long Monastery is guided by mindfulness, compassion, and shared purpose. Students meditate together each morning, study during the day, and join evening service projects—from environmental cleanups to outreach in local shelters. Under the guidance of Rinpoche-la, Geshe-la, and Khenpo-la, daily life becomes both spiritual discipline and joyful companionship. It is a life of simplicity, meaning, and awakening.
At Giao Long Monastery, education is more than study, it is a path of awakening. Rooted in Tibetan Buddhist tradition and modern contemplative education, Giao Long offers a program that unites meditation, ethics, and social responsibility. Our model blends Eastern wisdom with global learning methods, fostering an environment where intellect and compassion grow together. Every learner is guided to discover their true nature, live with purpose, and bring wisdom into the modern world.
