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Certificate in Theravada Buddhist Studies

  • Focus: Classical Buddhist texts and meditation practice
  • Duration: Three years minimum part time
  • Prerequisites: Two years of Buddhist practice. 14 days of silent residental retreat practice, including at least one 7 day Insight retreat. Application including statement of purpose and interview with faculty
  • Requirements: 24 units of coursework and a practicum consisting of one 7-day silent meditation retreat at an Insight or Theravada retreat center of choice.
Program Objectives
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of foundational Theravada teachings, meditation practice and suttas (sacred texts).
  • Deepen Buddhist practice through meditation-focused courses, retreats and training programs
  • Connect classical Theravada Buddhist teachings, practices, and ethical approaches to contemporary contexts of personal, societal, and civic life, including multiculturalism and compassionate responses to issues and conflicts.
Course Catalog (24 Units) – See 2026-27 Offerings Below
  • Ethics & Enlightenment – 3 units
  • Deepening Meditation – 3 units
  • Entering the Stream – 3 units
  • Eightfold Path – 3 Units
  • Anukampa – 3 units
  • Sutta Study I & II – 1.5 units each
  • Fall ’26 Seminar – 1 unit
Practicum
  • Participation and mentoring in 1 week-long silent Theravada retreat at Insight Retreat Center or elsewhere (2 units).
  • Written reflection on the retreat practice is included as part of practicum.
  • Practicum Tuition: $100 – $300
Tuition:
$500-800 per unit
Application:
$100 Application Fee

2026-27 Theravada Studies Offerings

2026–27 Theravada Studies Offerings

  • Anukampa Practice Program (3 units)
    August 2026 –July 2027
    Zoom
    Vanessa Able & Gil Fronsdal
    More Information
  • Deepening Meditation Program (3 units)
    October 2026 –May 2027
    Zoom
    Gil Fronsdal
    This Insight Meditation Center (IMC) program may be taken for certificate credit. Register through IMC; certificate students will receive additional information about receiving Sati Center credit.
    More Information
  • Eightfold Path Program (3 units)
    October–June
    Zoom and in-person
    Lydia Ridgway, Yanli Wang, Thina Ollier, Janel Crooks, and others.
    This Insight Meditation Center (IMC) program may be taken for certificate credit. Register through IMC; certificate students will receive additional information about receiving Sati Center credit.
    More Information
  • Sutta Study
    Two self-paced systematic courses on the
    Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Majjhima Nikāya)
    Taught by Gil Fronsdal & Diana Clark
    • Exploring the Buddha’s Middle Length Discourses – Part A
      (1.5 units)
      More Information
    • Exploring the Buddha’s Middle Length Discourses – Part B (1.5 units)
      More Information
  • Theravāda Studies Seminar (1 unit)
    August 2026 –June 2027
    Zoom
    Supervised by Gil Fronsdal
    An eight- to nine-month seminar linking several shorter Sati Center programs.
    Certificate students participate in discussion groups with Gil Fronsdal and
    guest teachers.

    Included seminar offerings:
    1. Sutta Study: The Naturalistic Teachings of the Simile of the Cloth – Gil Fronsdal
      Thursday, August 20 @ 3:30–4:30 p.m. Pacific
      Certificate Discussion: 4:30–5:30 p.m. Pacific
      More Information
    2. Theravāda Buddhism – Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
      Fridays, October 2, 9, 16 & 23 @ 8:00–9:30 a.m. Pacific
      An introduction to the history of Theravāda Buddhism by one of today’s leading Pāli scholars.
      More Information
    3. Sutta Study: The Buddha’s Critique of the Brahmanical “Self” – Gil Fronsdal
      Thursday, October 1 @ 3:30–4:30 p.m. Pacific
      Certificate Discussion: 4:30–5:30 p.m. Pacific
      More Information
    4. The Verses of the Nuns (Therīgāthā)
      Gil Fronsdal
      5 Week Course: Thursdays, October 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12 @ 3:30-4:30 p.m Pacific
      Certificate Discussion: 4:30–5:30 p.m. Pacific
      More Information
    5. The Manifold Meanings of Renunciation in Buddhist Teachings
      Kim Allen
      Thursdays, January 7, 14 & 21 @ 4:00–5:30 p.m. Pacific
    6. More to be Posted

Coming in 2027–28

Living Dharma I & Living Dharma II
Kim Allen
Fall 2027 & Spring 2028

A two-semester exploration of the Noble Eightfold Path through study, discussion, and practice.

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