“Just as the great ocean has one taste, the taste of salt, so as this teaching and
discipline has one taste, the taste of liberation.”
Shakyamuni Buddha
Dear Friend,
In this newsletter, SINI highlights the English for Dharma Purposes Program, its director Eden Merritt, and an announcement of the publication of a three-volume textbook series for Buddhist monastics learning English.
English for Dharma Purposes (EDP), now in its 12th year, provides comprehensive English language education for resident monastic khenpos, geshes, and lopons. With generous support from the Khyentse Foundation and other dedicated long-term supporters, EDP has evolved from a modest initiative into a comprehensive educational framework serving the contemporary needs of Buddhist monastics.
Today, the program features professionally trained English instructors and a three-volume textbook series tailored specifically for monastics. The curriculum includes enriching opportunities, including international study and teaching experiences, alongside teacher-training programs to ensure sustainability and knowledge transfer. Students also benefit from interdisciplinary workshops and seminars hosted at SINI.
The following essay, authored by EDP’s Director, reflects her exceptional contributions to bridging linguistic and cultural divides. Her work integrates practical insights gained from teaching monastics while creating an accessible resource for others, embarking on what can be a profound—and occasionally challenging—journey of English language acquisition.
Developed over four years of careful research and classroom testing, our three-volume textbook series will soon be available in limited print editions and digital formats. English teachers interested in implementing SINI’s EDP textbook series in their educational contexts are invited to contact us at info@sinibridge.org.
With all good wishes,
Tsering Palmo Gellek
Director