Although the Dharma’s nectar-like “tea” remains the same, we recognize the importance of understanding our audience and contexts. SINI’s Three Cups of Tea monastic teacher training program is a bold initiative to support monastics in navigating these rapidly changing times.
SINI rejoices at completing the first session of our new initiative, The Three Cups of Tea Teacher Training Program. Made possible through the generous support of the Khyentse Foundation and hosted at SINI January 10-17th, 2025, over 35 monastics representing all four schools and joining us from throughout the Himalayan region, South India, Australia, and Germany gathered in Sarnath to learn from Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and a cadre of global teacher trainers and professionals in an exploration of how to transmit the Dharma for a modern audience most effectively. At the sacred site where the Buddha first turned the wheel of the Dharma over 2500 years ago, we explored global and regional trends, changing cultural realities, and the challenges inherent in the role of the modern teacher.
As a pilot program, efforts are now underway to collaborate with key monastic teachers in designing the program, which will be offered to monasteries and institutions regionally and globally. Based on several years of research and planning, the program was developed in deep collaboration with monastic stakeholders and experts in the field. As part of a comprehensive assessment, monastery visits will be conducted to observe classrooms and engage with monastic teachers, gathering valuable insights to inform the program’s development and ensure the continued relevance of future Buddhist education initiatives. In addition to providing future teacher training at SINI, plans include sustaining and growing an online collaborative network of monastic teachers, conducting on-site training programs in monasteries, and developing a trainer-of-trainers model to certify monastics to serve as the teachers for this important program. Developing a sense of colleagueship, brother and sisterhood, in teaching is perhaps as important as coming up with any new pedagogical “solutions.” We believe that simple conversations, sharing lessons learned, and learning to support others facing similar challenges can do much to support the entire learning system. Modern methods of communication allow these networks to grow and thrive, and SINI hopes to tap into this potential and bring the voices of monastic educators together meaningfully.
The teacher-training event was also filmed and will be the focus of an upcoming documentary exploring the lives of monastics. Entitled The Field of Merit, SINI wishes to offer a window into the aspirations and commitment of the noble sangha.
As we witness profound changes in our communities and around the globe, the importance of ensuring the teachings are available to all beings ready to receive them remains vital. SINI’s heartfelt aspiration is to support and empower monastics to serve this mission: one cup of tea at a time.
