The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), at the initiative and in collaboration with the Dharma-Gaia Foundation (FDG), launches a pioneering course in Spain entitled”Introduction to the Tibetan language: reading classic texts of Tibetan Buddhism”, aimed at students and professionals who want to delve into the study of the language and the primary sources of Tibetan Buddhism.
IMPORTANT: This course has specific admission requirements. Candidates must be between 25 and 64 years old, have Spanish nationality or tax residence in Spain, and have a secondary or higher education degree. Places are allocated in strict order of registration.
What philosophical nuances does the original terminology used by great teachers to transmit the deepest teachings of Buddhism contain? What conceptual melodies are lost when terms from Tibetan Buddhism are translated into our Western languages? Have you ever wondered what the Buddha's teachings sound like in classical Tibetan?
This course offers you the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of the classical Tibetan language and start reading texts in their original language, without the need for previous knowledge. Over the course of 25 hours, you will receive solid training in writing, grammar and essential vocabulary of classical Tibetan, allowing you to take your first steps towards directly reading original Tibetan Buddhist texts.
Program content:
The program covers the fundamentals of traditional Tibetan writing, the calligraphy used in classical manuscripts, together with the mastery of the Tibetan alphabet. Students will also learn standard transliteration systems, essential tools for any serious study of this language and for accessing academic editions of classic texts.
The training includes fundamental grammatical elements, such as the structure of Tibetan sentences, the essential grammatical connectors and the syntactic peculiarities that distinguish this language from the Western ones. This grammatical basis is crucial for understanding how the Tibetan language actually works and why certain Buddhist concepts are expressed so specifically in the original, revealing nuances that are often lost in translations.
Specialized Buddhist vocabulary constitutes another fundamental pillar of the program. Students will master key terms of Tibetan Buddhism, always contextualized within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts in their original form and facilitates direct access to the primary sources of Tibetan Buddhism.
Reading and commenting on authentic texts represents the heart of the course. Students will work with selected fragments of classical texts, gradually developing the ability to decode and understand original writings. This practical methodology allows us to directly experience the process of reading the classical language and to understand the historical and cultural context surrounding these ancient texts.
Ferran Mestanza García, professor responsible for the course, brings more than 25 years of experience in the study and practice of the Dharma. His training includes specialization in Oriental Languages and Civilizations with mention in Tibetan by INALCO in Paris, as well as study stays in India, Nepal and Paris as a disciple of the renowned Tibetologist Ramón Prats. As the founding director of the Center for Mindfulness in Barcelona and an active translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts, Mestanza combines academic rigor with practical experience, offering a balanced perspective between linguistic study and the experiential understanding of the Dharma.
Practical Information:
- Dates: From September 29 to December 22, 2025.
- Modality: Online.
- Duration: 25 teaching hours.
- Seats: Maximum 30 to guarantee personalized attention.
- Price: 36€. Amount with the applied NextGenerationEU Fund discount.
- Credits: 4 ECTS credits.
- Language: Spanish.
- Study code: 5118/101.
- Registration dates: From 01/06/2025 to 21/09/2025
Schedule: Monday and Friday from 17:00 to 18:00 (Barcelona time, Spain).
ACCESS REQUIREMENTS (MANDATORY): Before you sign up, verify that you meet ALL of these requirements:
- Age: Between 25 and 64 years old (no exceptions).
- Spanish nationality or tax residence in Spain.
- Degree from secondary or higher education.
Required Documentation:
- DNI, NIE, TIE (scanned on both sides) or valid passport.
Selection Criteria: Places are allocated in strict order of registration among candidates who meet all the access requirements.
This program is especially valuable for:
- Buddhist practitioners who want to delve into the original sources.
- Students of philosophy, religion or Asian studies.
- Translators interested in expanding their language skills.
- Mindfulness and meditation professionals.
- Anyone genuinely curious about Tibetan culture.
Although prior knowledge of Tibetan is not required, it is essential to meet the age, nationality/residence and study requirements mentioned above. It is recommended to verify compliance with these requirements before enrolling.
Career opportunities:
The basic mastery of classical Tibetan opens doors to multiple professional fields. In the academic field, it prepares for research in Asian and religious studies, specialized teaching and the publication of original works. The cultural sector offers opportunities in translating Buddhist texts, consulting for Asian organizations, managing specialized museum collections and cultural journalism. In addition, the growing interest in contemplative practices in contemporary contexts creates new opportunities for professionals who combine knowledge from original sources with the ability to transmit these teachings.
A unique opportunity in Spain:
This course represents the first step toward a deeper and more authentic understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. The nuances that are lost in the translations, the teachers' word games, the implicit cultural references, all of this will begin to reveal itself as direct reading skills are developed.
The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) consolidates itself as a reference in the academic study of Buddhist traditions by offering training in Pali, the language of Theravada Buddhism, and by announcing the availability of Sanskrit courses scheduled for April-June 2026. These initiatives provide essential tools for direct access to the primary sources of Buddhism.
This training represents a unique opportunity in Spain to begin the formal study of classical Tibetan from a serious and accessible academic perspective. Places are limited (maximum 30) and are allocated in order of enrollment to those who meet the requirements, so it is recommended to register as soon as possible if you meet the admission criteria.
Registrations and information:
- Contact: Gustavo Pita Céspedes
- E-pošta: Gustavo.Pita@uab.cat
- Telephone: 935868901.
- Detailed Information: UAB website
Remember to verify that you meet all the access requirements before you sign up.
Useful links:
Faculty of Translation and Interpretation of the Autonomous University of Barcelona
Articles published in Buddhistdoor in Spanish
”The situation of Buddhist studies in Spain: educational programs” by Juan Arnau Navarro, Montse Castellà Olivé, Francisco Díez de Velasco, Ricardo Guerrero Diáñez, Basili Llorca Martínez, Daniel Millet Gil, Agustín Pániker Vilaplana, Aleix Ruiz Falqués, Jaume Vallverdú Vallverdú, Abraham Vélez de Cea.
”Presentation of the book In the words of the Buddha. An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, by Bhikkhu BodhI” by Caridad Martin Nieto.
Key Publications in Spanish-Speaking Buddhist Studies
Buddhist Studies in Latin America and Spain (Volume I), edited by Daniel Millet Gil and Jaume Vallverdú. This first volume brings together a series of essays that explore the relationship between Buddhism and Spanish-American culture, addressing issues such as the reception of Buddhism in Latin America and Spain, the translations of Buddhist texts into Spanish and the impact of Buddhism on contemporary societies.
Downloadable at:
https://llibres.urv.cat/index.php/purv/catalog/view/563/583/1270
Buddhist Studies in Latin America and Spain (Volume II), edited by Daniel Millet Gil and Jaume Vallverdú. The second volume expands the focus of the first, including contributions that analyze Buddhism from interdisciplinary and regional perspectives, with an emphasis on its interaction with local cultural traditions and its impact on the academic environment.
Downloadable at:
https://llibres.urv.cat/index.php/purv/catalog/view/595/610/1301
