Classical Tibetan Reading and Pronunciation Practice

Course Outline

​This course is designed for those who are interested in improving their Tibetan reading and pronunciation skills with instruction from native Tibetan speaker, Tenzin Ghegay, Ph.D. Over 9 weekly online live sessions, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of pronunciation according to a central Tibetan dialect.

Course Highlights:

• Pronunciation Basics: Learn the fundamentals of pronouncing Tibetan letters and words, addressing common challenges faced by non-native speakers.
• Reading Techniques: Understand key techniques for recognizing syllables and grammatical rules for effective pausing.
• Practice Texts: Start with commonly recited prayers such as the Heart Sutra, the tenth chapter of the Bodhicaryavatara, and Arya Bhadracarya Pranidhanaraja. Progress to other scriptures like Milarepa’s Biography (namthar), Dhammapada (chö kyi tshigs su bcad pa), and conclude with the Words of My Perfect Teacher (kun zang lamai’ zhal lung).
• Genres and Styles: Gain an overview of different reading styles, including rhythm, emphasis, pace, and pause.
• Devotional Reading: Experience reading as a practice that generates a warm-hearted feeling and invites further study.

By the end of this course, students will feel more comfortable reading most Tibetan texts, even if they do not fully comprehend all the words.

Prerequisites

Familiar with reading and recognizing the Tibetan alphabet and syllables.

Course Schedule

September 7 – November 9, 2024, over 9 Saturdays
No class on October 12!

10:00 – 11:30 PDT
Please note if Daylight Savings applies to your own time zone.