Graduate – GL–SHEDRA III in Environmental Studies

GIAO LONG MONASTERY

Overview

GL–Shedra II is the intermediate stage of Giao Long Monastery’s academic path, designed for students who have completed the foundational curriculum of Shedra I. This program expands the learner’s capacity to understand classical Buddhist philosophy, engage with primary texts, and develop stable insight through contemplative practice.

Where Shedra I establishes the groundwork, Shedra II opens the gateway to deeper inquiry — introducing students to Indian and Tibetan scholastic systems, core treatises, analytical meditation, and the interpretive methods that define the shedra tradition. Students begin working closely with classical texts while strengthening the philosophical reasoning needed for advanced study.

This program marks the transition from basic familiarity to intellectual rigor, disciplined inquiry, and contemplative integration.

Learning Goals

By completing GL-Shedra III, students will:

  • Understand ecological issues through the lens of interdependence and Buddhist ethics
  • Apply contemplative methods to environmental observation and fieldwork
  • Evaluate global sustainability models using classical teachings on compassion, balance, and restraint
  • Develop research projects that integrate Tibetan philosophy with environmental studies
  • Cultivate leadership grounded in mindfulness, clarity, and service
  • Formulate practical ecological solutions rooted in wisdom and compassion

Program Duration & Study Format

GL–Shedra III is a two-year program, offered in:

  • Study format: hybrid of contemplative seminars, field observation, ecological practicum, and interdisciplinary researc
  • Required components include textual study, meditation retreats, environmental fieldwork, and a graduate capstone project
  • Students may complete part of the coursework through GLM’s low-residency weekends or online seminars

Assessment & Advancement

To pass the GL–Shedra III, students must evaluate based on:

  • Research papers integrating Buddhist ethics with ecological theory
  • Fieldwork reports demonstrating contemplative observation
  • Participation in seminar discussions and group projects
  • A final capstone that addresses a real-world environmental issue through contemplative methodology

Advancement to graduation requires mastery of both philosophical foundations and applied ecological competence.

 

Who Should Apply

This program is ideal for: This programme is ideal for:

  • Graduate students seeking a contemplative approach to environmental studies
  • Monastics and practitioners wishing to apply Dharma to ecological protection
  • Researchers exploring Buddhist environmental ethics
  • Social leaders pursuing mindful sustainability initiatives
  • Anyone committed to serving the planet through wisdom and compassion

Degree Requirements (72 credits)

 

Environmental Studies Major
Course Title Duration Description
Advanced Tibetan & Exegesis

  • GLT301 – Classical Tibetan III (3 credits)
  • GLT302 – Root Text Reading II (3 credits)
  • GLT303 – Exegesis I (3 credits)
  • GLT304 – Hermeneutics II (3 credits)
  

3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months

  

Advanced grammar, syntax, and literary structures.
Reading extended root texts with full commentary guidance.
Traditional bshad-pa method: literal & hidden meanings.
Interpretive systems of Indian & Tibetan scholastics.
Advanced Madhyamaka & Yogācāra 

  • GLP311 – Madhyamaka Śāstra I (3 credits)
  • GLP312 – Madhyamaka Śāstra II (3 credits)
  • GLP313 – Yogācāra Foundations (3 credits)
  • GLP314 – Yogācāra Śāstra (3 credits)
  • GLP315 – Interrelation of Madhyamaka & Yogācāra (3 credits)
  • GLP316 – Special Topics in Indian–Tibetan Philosophy (3 credits)
  

3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months
3 months

  

In-depth study of Madhyamaka treatises and arguments.
Prāsaṅgika reasoning, refutation methods, lineage comparison.
Consciousness-only doctrine: eight consciousnesses, alaya.
Advanced Yogācāra analysis using Indian & Tibetan texts.
Comparative study of two systems & points of convergence.
Focused study on key Indian thinkers (Nāgārjuna, Asaṅga, Dharmakīrti)..
Tantric Foundation Studies

  • GLT321 – Tantra Foundations I (3 credits)
  • GLT322 – Highest Yoga Tantra Theory (3 credits)
  • GLT323 – Buddha-Nature in Tantra (3 credits)
  

3 months
3 months
3 months

  

Ground–Path–Fruition structure of Vajrayāna.
Energy-channels (tsa-lung), subtle body, mandala structure.
Relation of tathāgatagarbha to tantric realization.
Debate (Advanced)

  • GLL331 – Logic III (3 credits)
  • GLL332 – Debate Lab III (3 credits)
  • GLL333 – Daily Debate Practicum (3 credits)
  

3 months
3 months
3 months

  

Subtle inferences, logical fallacies, higher dialectics.
Madhyamaka–Yogācāra structured debates.
Daily courtyard debate with faculty evaluation.
Translation & Pedagogy

  • GLC341 – Translation Seminar I (3 credits)
  • GLC342 – Teaching Practicum (3 credits)
  • GLC343 – Academic Writing (3 credits)
  

3 months
3 months
3 months

  

Translating philosophical passages with commentary.
Guided oral teaching of root texts.
Research writing & structured treatise-based essays.
Meditation & Retreat 

  • GLM351 – Integrated Insight Meditation (3 credits)
  • Retreat Module (Required) (3 credits)
  

3 months
3 months

  

Insight meditation based on Madhyamaka/Yogācāra inquiry.
Required retreat; no credits; direct contemplative training.
Electives (Choose minimum 12 credits)

  • GLE361 – Hermit Traditions & Meditation Lineages (3 credits)
  • GLE362 – Tibetan Buddhist Psychology (2 credits)
  • GLE363 – Mandala & Ritual Construction (2 credits)
  • GLE364 – Advanced Translation (3 credits)
  • GLE365 – Research Methods in Buddhist Studies (3 credits)
  • GLE366 – Comparative Buddhist Philosophy (2 credits)
  

3 months
2 months
2 months
3 months
3 months
2 months

  

Dzogchen, Mahāmudrā, Lamdre traditions.
Emotional processes, mental factors in advanced practice.
Symbolism, structure, ritual construction principles.
Translation of long commentary passages.
Research design, philological skills, citation methods.
Cross-tradition comparison: India–Tibet–China–Japan.

 

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