Low-Residency Study Program

Bridging Tradition and Modern Learning

1. Overview

The Low-Residency Program at Giao Long Monastery offers an innovative approach to Buddhist education for students who wish to pursue authentic Tibetan studies without residing full-time in the monastery.
This model integrates online academic learning, personal mentorship, and annual on-site retreats, allowing participants from around the world to engage with the monastic tradition while maintaining professional and family responsibilities.

It represents a living synthesis of discipline and flexibility — grounded in classical monastic rigor yet adapted to the global rhythm of modern learners. Giao Long Monastery has crafted a distinctive path: combining the authenticity of lineage-based monastic learning with the inclusivity of modern education technology, while remaining entirely tuition-free for all participants.

2. Program Structure

The Low-Residency curriculum follows a modular system equivalent to the Shedra I–III levels of monastic study, progressively advancing toward Khenpo or Geshe qualification. Each academic year is divided into three key components:

Online Study Modules

• Weekly virtual lectures on Buddhist philosophy, logic, and ethics
• Guided reading and reflection essays based on translated Tibetan texts
• Optional Tibetan language sessions for scriptural literacy

Personal Mentorship

• One-on-one online meetings with monastic mentors (Khenpo-la / Geshe-la)
• Regular feedback on both academic and contemplative progress
• Digital Sangha groups for discussion and shared meditation

Annual In-Person Residency

• Intensive retreat (2–4 weeks) at Giao Long Monastery in California or partner monasteries abroad
• Daily meditation, oral debate, and final examinations
• Ritual participation and community service

All materials are provided free of charge, including course texts, lecture recordings, and retreat accommodations.

4. Who It Is For

This program welcomes:

• Lay practitioners balancing study with work or family life
• International students unable to travel for long-term residence
• Scholars and translators seeking formal grounding in Buddhist philosophy
• Social service professionals integrating contemplative wisdom into humanitarian fields

Participants should demonstrate consistent motivation, ethical discipline, and readiness to complete both online and residency requirements.

5. Who It Is Not For

This program may not be suitable for:

• Those seeking short-term introductory or purely devotional studies
• Individuals unable to commit to yearly retreats or consistent online participation
• Students pursuing degree certification outside the Buddhist monastic framework

For these learners, the monastery offers open public lectures and short-term Dharma workshops instead.

6. Benefits and Distinctive Features

• Global Accessibility – Students can study from anywhere in the world, eliminating financial and geographic barriers.
• Lineage Authenticity – Courses taught directly by qualified Tibetan lineage holders ensure transmission integrity.
• Structured Progression – A guided pathway from beginner foundations to advanced philosophical understanding.
• Community Connection – Digital platforms foster a genuine global Sangha united by mindfulness and service.
• Free Education Model – Entirely tuition-free; supported by donors and compassionate sponsorship.

The Low-Residency Program fulfills the monastery’s commitment to democratize access to Buddhist education — transforming Dharma study into a living, shared journey of growth.

7. Vision for the Future

As Giao Long Monastery expands its educational reach, this program will evolve into an international learning network linking monasteries, universities, and humanitarian projects across continents.
Students will gain access to multilingual resources, cross-cultural mentorship, and joint research opportunities with partner institutions in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

This vision aligns with the monastery’s guiding aspiration:

“To preserve the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism while awakening its relevance in the modern world.”