The Rovira i Virgili University (URV) and the Dharma-Gaia Foundation (FDG) announce the opening of registration for the online course "Vajrayāna and Tibetan Buddhism: teachings and practices"., which will run from April 1 to June 26, 2025. This program offers a unique opportunity to explore in depth one of the richest and most transformative traditions of Buddhism, noted for its academic rigor, practical and innovative approach, and a demonstrated commitment to educational excellence by its organizers.
Vajrayāna and Tibetan Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that combines profound teachings with meditative practices and rituals, all aimed at fostering personal transformation and inner development. Also known as the "diamond path or vehicle," vajrayāna Buddhism has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Tibetan tradition, noted for its holistic approach and extraordinary spiritual richness. The course allows participants to explore the essential foundations and practices of vajrayāna Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, offering a transformative and enriching learning experience.
This online program, designed especially for the Spanish-speaking community, is the fruit of collaboration between Rovira i Virgili University and the Dharma-Gaia Foundation, in response to the growing interest in the study of Buddhism and the great success of previous editions. Buddhist teachings, which have transcended borders and millennia, have left an indelible mark on Asian culture and, more recently, have found a prominent place in the modern world. However, despite its influence on contemporary culture and having inspired countless practitioners around the world, Buddhism remains largely unknown in Spanish-speaking countries and in Ibero-American academia. Aware of this lack, the URV and the FDG have joined forces to open new doors to the rigorous and academic study of Buddhism in Spanish, offering a unique opportunity to delve into this vast and enriching field of knowledge.
In 2021, the two institutions signed a framework collaboration agreement that gave rise to an innovative Buddhist studies program. This program, unprecedented in Spanish-speaking academia, includes academic courses, specialized publications, documentary film production, conferences and a wide variety of educational activities, all designed to foster knowledge and rigorous research on Buddhism.
As a result of this fruitful collaboration between FDG and URV, the following has recently been published Buddhist Studies in Latin America and Spaina two-volume academic work that aims to expand knowledge of this ancient tradition in the Spanish-speaking world. This work was edited by Professor Jaume Vallverdú, PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology and professor of the Department of Anthropology, Philosophy and Social Work of the URV, and Dr. Daniel Millet, president and founder of the Dharma-Gaia Foundation. Co-published by Publicacions Universitat Rovira i Virgili and the Dharma-Gaia Foundation, this work brings together the contributions of leading specialists in the field of Buddhist studies in Spanish, consolidating itself as a key resource for research in this field of study. Both volumes are available in PDF format and can be downloaded free of charge through the following links first volume and second volume.
As for the courses, following the success of the first cycle, entitled "Studies on the traditions of Buddhism and meditation", which ran from September 2022 to December 2023, the URV and the FDG have launched a second, even more ambitious cycle. This new program, composed of four courses that can also be taken independently of each other and with a degree, is entitled "Buddhism and its traditions: from its origins to its modern interpretations" and runs from April 2024 to December 2025.
The aim of this new series is to offer as complete and comprehensive a view as possible of Buddhism and its constituent traditions. Following the extraordinary reception of the first courses in this new series, entitled "Early Buddhism and the Theravāda Tradition: Teachings and Practices" and "Mahāyāna Buddhism and its expansion in East Asia", which had more than 60 students each and very positive feedback from the participants, the URV and FDG now announce with great enthusiasm the third course in this series: "Vajrayāna and Tibetan Buddhism: teachings and practices.". This course will be co-directed by Prof. Jaume Vallverdú. Jaume VallverdúD. in Social and Cultural Anthropology and professor of the Department of Anthropology, Philosophy and Social Work of the URV, and Dr. Daniel Millet, president and founder of the Dharma-Gaia Foundation and director of the publishing houses Dharma-Gaia and Unalome. This new academic proposal, as in previous courses, will have the participation of renowned teachers in the field.
The course is offered in a completely flexible format, with the possibility of attending live sessions or accessing recordings, allowing students from anywhere in the world to learn at their own pace and according to their availability. This modality ensures an accessible and personalized learning experience.
We invite all those interested in deepening their knowledge of vajrayāna Buddhism to enroll in this unique course. For more information and registration, click here.
Course Description:
This theoretical-practical course has been meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive and coherent understanding of Indian and later vajrayāna Buddhism, the rich tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and the broader context in which they developed. Throughout the program, we will begin with a detailed exploration of the history and doctrines of the mahāyāna, establishing a solid foundation for subsequently delving into the origins of vajrayāna in India. We will analyze the distinctive features of this tradition, its development in prestigious universities such as Nalanda, and its subsequent transmission and flourishing in Tibet. In this context, the pivotal role of the Indian mahasiddhas and the invaluable contributions of influential masters such as Padmasambhava and Naropa will be highlighted.
We will then delve into the study of the main schools of Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug. We will examine their lineages and the most prominent masters who have shaped these traditions. We will also address the study of Bon, the indigenous spiritual tradition of Tibet, exploring its roots, teachings and its interaction with Tibetan Buddhism throughout history. In addition, a section will be devoted to the Rimé movement, a non-sectarian school that seeks to integrate and preserve the teachings of the different Tibetan traditions, highlighting their relevance in the contemporary context.
We will also delve into essential concepts such as the union of method and wisdom, the visualization of deities(yidam), mandalas, tantras and preliminary practices(ngöndro). The doctrinal explanations will be enriched with the reading of classical texts and excerpts from important tantras, providing a solid historical and philosophical context that will allow participants to understand the teachings in depth.
To complement the theoretical lessons, the course will include practical workshops led by experienced teachers. These workshops will offer the opportunity to participate in specific Tibetan Buddhist meditations. This practical approach will not only promote personal and spiritual growth, but will also foster a deeper and more experiential understanding of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and associated traditions.
Language and scope:
It is taught in Spanish and is aimed at students and the general public who are highly interested in the subject.
Duration:
The course, with a total duration of 60 teaching hours (6 ECTS credits), will be taught through the virtual campus Moodle of the URV in weekly sessions of 5 hours, spread over two days and in the afternoon to facilitate the participation of students from different regions.
Dates and schedule:
The course will be held from April 1 to June 26, 2025. The afternoon schedule, from 16:00 to 18.30 (Spanish time), according to the calendar, allows students from Latin America to follow the course.
Location: virtual campus (Moodle)
The course will be taught entirely online through the URV's Moodle educational platform, located on its virtual campus, offering students a flexible and accessible learning experience. The format includes two live videoconference sessions per week, all of which will be recorded and available for the duration of the course, allowing students to view them at any time and adapt to different schedules.
Enrollment:
The course offers a limited number of 50 places, to be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee is 180 €.
Admission requirement:
The only requirement for admission to the course is to have passed the secondary school level, with no previous experience in Buddhist studies.
Requirements necessary to meet completion requirements:
- A minimum of 70% online attendance.
- Delivery of a final essay of approximately 2000 words.
Registration:
For details and registration you can visit the following link:
Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism: teachings and practices | URV Foundation
Certifications
A certificate of completion will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the course. A corresponding certificate will be issued to students who have completed the four stand-alone programs "Buddhism and its traditions: from its origins to its modern interpretations", which runs from April 2024 to December 2025.
Course objectives
- To know the history and cultural context of the Buddhist tradition.
- Learn the philosophical, doctrinal and practical foundations of Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism.
- To know Vajrayana Buddhism, and in particular the Tibetan Buddhist school in terms of its doctrines and essential texts.
- Learn and experience the basics of Vajrayana and Tibetan meditation.
Academic Management
Jaume Vallverdú
Daniel Millet
Faculty
The course will have a specialized and highly qualified teaching team in Buddhist teaching, guaranteeing a rigorous and enriching training.
Course program:
Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism: teachings and practices | URV Foundation
Course faculty
Agustí Pàniker Vilaplana is director of the Kairós publishing house, essayist, lecturer, and a great scholar of India and world religions. He is a professor in several university masters, including the Master of Religions and Societies of the Pablo Olavide University (Seville). He has also taught on the Master's Degree in History of Religions at the UAB-UB, on the Master's Degree in Asian and Pacific Studies at the UB and on the Master's Degree in Immigration and Intercultural Education at the UB. He is the author, among others, of the books: Jainism. History, society, philosophy and practice (Kairós, 2001); Índika. Una descolonización intelectual: reflexiones sobre la historia, la etnología, la política y la religión en el Sur de Asia (Kairós, 2005); Los sikhs ( Kairós, 2007); El sueño de Shitala. Journey into the World of Religions (Kairos, 2011); The Caste Society: Religion and Politics in India (Kairos, 2014) and The Three Jewels. The Buddha, his teaching and the community (Kairos, 2018). He has written numerous articles in university publications and popular magazines on different aspects of societies, traditions, religions and cultures of the world.
Ferran Mestanza Garcia, a graduate of the Brown University School of Public Health and an outstanding student of the renowned Catalan Tibetologist Ramon Prats, has built a solid trajectory combining Buddhist studies and classical Tibetan with contemporary practical applications. As a teacher at the Centre de Mindfulness in Barcelona and a translator specializing in Buddhist texts, he has managed to build meaningful bridges between traditional Tibetan wisdom and the needs of modern society. His work at Wake Up Barcelona and his dedication to making mindfulness practices based on Buddhist teachings accessible to Buddhist and non-Buddhist practitioners alike reflect his commitment to authentic dharma transmission in contemporary contexts, establishing him as a respected figure in the field of Buddhist and Tibetan studies.
Theoretical and practical classes
We are carefully selecting the guides (teachers) who will lead the classes and workshops, making sure they are experts in their fields. More details will be shared soon.
We invite you to be part of this enriching educational experience and to discover the depths of Vajrayāna and Tibetan Buddhism. For more information and to register, please visit the URV Foundation website or contact Cristina Jacas at cristina.jacas@fundacio.urv.cat.
Links of interest:
Rovira i Virgili University 2020 presentation video
Buddhist Film Festival of Catalonia
Articles published in Buddhistdoor in English
"The situation of Buddhist studies in Spain: the teaching programs."by Juan Arnau
Navarro, Montse Castellà Olivé, Francisco Díez de Velasco, Ricardo Guerrero Diáñez, Basili Llorca Martínez, Daniel Millet, Agustín Pániker Vilaplana, Aleix Ruiz Falqués, Jaume Vallverdú Vallverdú, Abraham Vélez de Cea.
Other related articles published in Buddhistdoor in English
"Interview with Agustín Pániker, director of Editorial Kairós."by Daniel Millet.
"The dreams of perfection. Buddhism and transhumanism. Interview with Jaume Vallverdú". Daniel Millet
