The Geshe / Khenpo Track with Environmental Studies focus integrates the full Tibetan monastic doctorate formation with the emerging field of ecological ethics.
Students undergo the complete scholastic curriculum of the Five Great Treatises, advanced dialectics, tantra foundations, commentary writing, translation, retreat training, and doctoral thesis requirements.
Within this classical structure, students explore environmental questions through Madhyamaka reasoning, Pramāṇa logic, Abhidharma cosmology, and Buddhist ethics. This creates a rare pathway where ecological understanding is rooted not in modern theory alone but in the depth of Himalayan wisdom and contemplative realization.
Learning Goals
Students deepen their capacities through the full Geshe/Khenpo syllabus while applying its wisdom to environmental ethics.:
Master the complete cycle of the Five Great Treatises and apply their insight to ecological inquiry
Use Pramāṇa logic to analyze environmental decision-making
Interpret ecological interdependence through Madhyamaka reasoning
Use Abhidharma cosmology to understand natural systems and mental responses to climate distress
Integrate Buddhist ethics with contemporary sustainability frameworks
Conduct high-level research relating classical sources to environmental issues
Embody disciplined compassion and leadership suitable for ecological service
Program Duration & Study Format
The Environmental Studies focus does not replace monastic doctorate training; it is woven into its full structure. Duration: 10 to 16 years depending on pace of textual mastery, debate skill, tantra requirements, commentary completion, and thesis research Format includes full participation in:
Environmental Studies enters through research themes, elective choice, commentary focus, and field projects guided by faculty
Assessment & Advancement
Evaluation reflects the rigor of the Geshe/Khenpo degree with an added ecological dimension.
Major thesis (80 to 120 pages) connecting classical treatises with environmental inquiry
Grand Debate Examination with ecological argument topics permitted
Commentary writing evaluated for both scholastic accuracy and relevance to ethical or ecological questions
Translation practicum integrating environmental terminology where appropriate
Retreat journals documenting contemplative insight into interdependence and environmental suffering
Teaching demonstration may include environmental ethics from Buddhist sources
Who Should Apply
This specialization is intended for practitioners called to unite classical mastery and ecological service:
Senior monastics preparing for teaching, leadership, or research
Scholars pursuing Buddhist environmental ethics
Practitioners committed to ecological Bodhicitta
Graduate students seeking deep alignment between Dharma and sustainability
Individuals intending to serve monasteries, communities, or global ecological projects
Degree Requirements (180-220 credits)
Environmental Studies Major
Course Title
Duration
Description
Complete Treatise Studies – Full Scholastic Canon
GKT401 – Full Madhyamaka Treatises (6 credits)
GKT402 – Full Pramāṇa Treatises (6 credits)
GKT403 – Full Prajñāpāramitā (6 credits)
GKT404 – Full Abhidharma Cycle (6 credits)
GKT405 – Full Vinaya System (6 credits)
6 months
6 months
6 months
6 months
6 months
Full study of MMK, MA, commentaries of Buddhapālita, Bhāviveka, Candrakīrti.
Complete study of Pramāṇavārttika, Pramāṇasamuccaya; advanced logic & inference.
Full Abhisamayālaṅkāra with Indian & Tibetan commentaries; eight categories of realization.
Complete Abhidharmakośa, cosmology, mind–factors, analytical meditation.
Prātimokṣa, monastic conduct, root & minor vows, disciplinary reasoning.
Advanced Debate & Dialectics
GKT421 – Dialectics Mastery I (3 credits)
GKT422 – Dialectics Mastery II – Daily Courtyard (3 credits)
Direct insight meditation based on Prāsaṅgika reasoning.
Consciousness-only contemplative training.
Multiple retreats throughout training; non-credit.
Doctoral Candidacy Requirements
GKT521 – Major Treatise Thesis (6 credits)
GKT522 – Grand Debate Examination (3 credits)
GKT523 – Teaching Demonstration (3 credits)
GKT524 – Tantra Module Completion
GKT525 – Community Service Requirement
12 months
1 months
1 months
3 months
1-6 months
80–120 page thesis on Madhyamaka, Pramāṇa, or Tantra.
Final public debate before examination committee.
History of scholastic debates across Tibetan schools.
Translation of long philosophical treatises.
Ritual creation & symbolic system of mandalas.
Theory and practice of Mahāmudrā traditions.
Overview of Great Perfection view & practice.
History of scholastic debates across Tibetan schools.
Translation of long philosophical treatises.
Ritual creation & symbolic system of mandalas.
Research design, philology, critical methods.
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