Dr. Kurt J. Schwalbe has made his 2018 Classical Tibetan language course available for a reasonable fee. The 18 classes (27 hours) were recorded using Zoom and can be downloaded from a shared Google drive. Printed class materials are included.
At Kurt’s request, the fees generated by the course are donated to Sakya Society to support the spiritual activities of Jetsun Kushok. If you are interested, contact skc.retreat@gmail.com for more information.
Kurt teaches an established, effective method for learning the Classical Tibetan language used in Tibetan Buddhist practice texts. It is based on building language skills up from small, simple blocks to complex structures. It begins with learning the writing system and progresses to words, phrases, sentences, and then complex sentences. Students learn the Classical Tibetan language used in practice texts, not modern spoken Tibetan.
Dr. Kurt J. Schwalbe
Kurt has been reading about and practicing Buddhism since 1964. He took his BA in Philosophy and his MDiv in Old Testament and conducted his PhD field research in Nepal at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Everest region. He has taught Classical Tibetan language since 1974 in both the US and India. Most recently, in March 2017, Kurt taught a Heart Sutra Workship at Deer Park Institute in Bir, HP, India, for the third time, followed by his course in Classical Tibetan at Thosamling Institute in Dharamsala, HP, India.
Kurt has also taught numerous college courses in World Religions with an emphasis on Asian traditions. Kurt’s teaching style gives close attention to the text but always in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. He has been fortunate enough to take teachings with H.E. Jetsun Kushok Rinpoche at Sakya Kachod Choling.