Gyudmed tantric monastery: education for laity

The article considers educational system of Gyudmed tantric university, one of the main tantric monasteries of Gelug school. There education is provided not only for monks, but also for laity. The monastery was founded in 1433 at Lhasa by Sherab Senge who was one of the eight greatest students of Tsonkhapa. School of Snowland Tibetan Studies was founded in 2007 aiming to provide an opportunity for lay practitioners to learn Buddhism. The school’s educational program includes short-term course for beginners and advanced course for those who are eager to do research for deeper understanding of Buddhism. Short-term course lasts for three months and besides Buddhist sciences includes learning of Tibetan language and logic. Advanced course involves four-year study and is targeted to an in-depth study of Buddhist philosophy and learning of tantric mantras.