COURSES
Language Courses
Much of the work of our institute takes place in Sarnath, where the Buddha’s first teachings were given some 2500 years ago. Against many odds, we remain one of the few organizations serving monastics in the area and the only organization that is programmatically designed to bring the dharma to a global audience.
Colloquial Tibetan Language
Learn modern spoken Tibetan through our innovative online program based on The Heart of Tibetan Language. Develop conversational skills and deep insights into Tibetan thought and culture.
Classical Tibetan Language
Master the sacred language of Buddhist literature and philosophy. Our program takes you from fundamental grammar through advanced text translation, accessing centuries of Buddhist wisdom in its original form.
English for Dharma Purposes
A unique program for monastics and practitioners to engage with modern academic discourse while maintaining spiritual focus. Learn to articulate Buddhist concepts in English and bridge Eastern wisdom with contemporary scholarship.
Translation Training
An advanced specialization preparing qualified monastics for the urgent effort to translate Tibetan texts and make Buddhist teachings accessible globally. Develop specialized cross-cultural communication and translation skills.
Sanskrit Language
Unlock the foundational language of Buddhist philosophy and meditation texts. Gain direct access to the Buddha’s original teachings and the rich philosophical traditions that followed.
Pali Language
Study the language of the earliest Buddhist texts and engage directly with the Buddha’s recorded teachings in the Pali Canon, supporting deeper understanding of foundational Buddhist doctrine.
Study with us
Join one of our language courses and deepen your understanding of Buddhist wisdom traditions.
English Language Program Team
The English for Dharma Purposes team comprises diverse, dedicated native English-speaking professionals who live and work alongside Buddhist monastic scholars from the Himalayan regions—many having committed three to seven years to the program.
Eden Merritt
Director
Osha Johnson
Associate Director / Consultant
Jaime Luria Pinto
Teacher / Consultant
Tanner McAlister
Teacher / Translation / Consultant
Patrick Dowd
Teacher / Translation / Consultant
Tibetan Language Programs Team
SINI’s Tibetan Language Program includes an international team of dedicated native and non-native speakers delivering both Classical and Colloquial Tibetan courses through innovative teaching methods.
Franziska Oertle
Director
Paul Wobig
Assistant Teacher
Tenzin Ghegay
Teacher
Ania Sambroska
Assistant Teacher
Tzoe Wong
Registrar
Nat Thammamitr
Assistant Teacher
Lhakpa Tsering
Teacher
Bhargavi Viswanath
Assistant
Alexandra Sukhanova
Teacher
Melissa Katz
Assistant
Pema Woeser
Assistant Teacher
Juan-Felipe Garcia Peña
Online Learning Developer