Debate Course
Next Prep Module start: September 2026
Monastics and those of Tibetan or Himalayan cultural background
attend for free
"One unique thing about the Nalanda Tradition is that we extensively use a logical approach… Single-pointed meditation is good, but it is even better to do analytical meditation and engage in discussion… debate!"
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
After the renowned Nalanda University was destroyed in the 12th century, many of its teachings survived because Indian masters had earlier transmitted them to Tibet. Tibetan monasteries — particularly the great Gelug centers like Sera, Drepung, and Ganden — adopted and systematized this method of debate, using it not only to sharpen reasoning but also to deepen philosophical insight. This debate form is not just argument for argument’s sake — it’s a method of realizing the nature of reality by testing the logical coherence of various philosophical positions, especially within Madhyamaka (founded by Master Nagarjuna) and Pramāṇa traditions.
Debate is central to the Tibetan Buddhist monastic curriculum, especially at the Gelug school (founded by Lama Tsongkhapa). Mastery of the increasingly complex topics is often reached only after decades of daily, rigorous monastic studies.
Our 3-year online course is designed to fit your busy modern lifestyle. Through this structured program in logical reasoning, you'll gain insights and learn how to apply them to everyday decisions and actions — enhancing both clarity and confidence in your thinking.
OVERVIEW
Our first year covers Dudra (Tibetan: བསྡུས་གྲྭ), meaning "Collected Topics". It is a foundational text and curriculum in monastic education of Tibetan Buddhist, especially within the Gelug school. It serves as the introductory logic and debate manual, training students in logical reasoning (རྟགས་རིགས།), categorization of phenomena, use of valid cognition (ཚད་མ།), and debate methods (རྩོད་པ།).
Our course materials is based on published editions of Dudra (Collected Topics), while our workbook is developed in cooperation with Ven. Losang Donyo, Debate School.
We will introduce and explore the following classical topics from the Dudra curriculum:
Introduction
Historical Roots (Tenets Schools of Nalanda, 5 Great Treatises)
Cognition
Relationships
Syllogisms & Consequences
Debate Methodology
Small Path of Reasoning
Colors and So Forth
Established Bases
Identifying Isolates
Opposite from Being and Not Being
Small Presentation of Cause and Effect
Generalities and Instances
Substantial and Isolate Phenomena
Middling Path of Reasoning
Mutually Exclusive and Related
Extensive Presentation of Cause and Effect
Great Path of Reasoning
Extensive Presentation Consequences
Other Eliminator, Positive, Negative
TEACHERS
Geshema Tenzin Lhadron, also known as Chopa Tenzin Lhadron, hails from the humble surroundings of Ubarak Village in the picturesque Zanskar Valley of UT Ladakh.
Her journey into Buddhism began at the tender age of 13 when she received teachings and the Kalachakra Initiation from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Duzin Phodang Ufti Pipiting in Zanskar. This transformative experience ignited a deep passion within her and inspired her to embark on a journey to Dharamsala for further study.
In March 1989, she was ordained as a Getsulma by His Holiness the Great Fourteen Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, marking the beginning of her formal monastic training. She subsequently became a part of the educational program for Himalayan Buddhist women at the Jamyang Choling Institute (Founded by Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo, An American Buddhist nun). Over the span of more than two decades, she dedicated herself to the rigorous study of major Buddhist philosophical treaties of both Sutra and Tantra.
In 2013, Geshema Tenzin Lhadron became a trailblazer as she was among the first group of Tibetan Buddhist nuns to undertake the four-year Geshema Degree Examination. Displaying exceptional dedication and scholarship, she successfully completed the exams in 2016, marking a historic milestone for Tibetan Buddhist nuns. Her achievement was recognized with the prestigious Geshema Degree bestowed upon her by His Holiness the Fourteen Dalai Lama in December 2016 at the esteemed Drepung Monastic University in South India.
Geshema Tenzin Lhadron's journey exemplifies perseverance, dedication, and a deep commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual enlightenment within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Her groundbreaking accomplishment serves as an inspiration to countless individuals, particularly women, within the Buddhist community and beyond.
SCHEDULE
Prep Module
Duration: 12-15 weeks
The Preparatory Module takes place prior to entry into the first academic year of the Debate Course and is designed to establish the foundational skills and terminology required for the main curriculum.
Academic Year
Each academic year runs from February to January of the following year and is divided into three modules:
Module 1: 12-15 weeks
Module 2: 12-15 weeks
Module 3: 12-15 weeks
Holiday breaks of 4–12 weeks are scheduled between modules.
Weekly Routine
Theory Class
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Teacher: Geshema Tenzin Lhadron
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Duration: 1 hour per week
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Language: English
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Additional support: Two 1-hour Q&A sessions per month with simultaneous translation for non-English speakers
Practice Classes
Practice Classes are tutor-led sessions that review and apply the weekly theory content. Multiple sessions are offered each week across different days and times to accommodate the schedules and time zones of our global students.
Tutors:
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Ven. Tenzin Lekzom (English)
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Ven. Thubten Tegchok (English)
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Gonzalo E. Liniado (English)
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Tam Nguyen (English/German)
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Huan Nguyen (English/German)
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Ven. Tenzin Zopa (German)
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Paul Wobig (German)
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Shakya Nguyen (Vietnamese)
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Ha Tran (Vietnamese)
Peer-Led Study Groups
In addition to formal classes, students participate in peer-led study groups within small learning communities (SLCs), fostering regular practice, discussion, and mutual support.
Evaluation
Optional self-assessment quizzes are available at the end of each module to support your learning and reinforce key concepts. These are followed by study counseling sessions to help guide your progress.
CURRICULUM
Week
Topics
Prep 1
Review Module
Prep 2
Priming Module 1.1
1
Introduction
Historical Roots (Tenets Schools of Nalanda,
5 Great Treatises)
Cognition
2
Relationships
3
Syllogisms & Consequences
4
Debate Methodology
5
Small Path of Reasoning
Colors and So Forth
6
Colors and So Forth
7
Established Bases
8
Established Bases
9
Identifying Isolates
10
Identifying Isolates
Opt
Optional Exam & Counseling
FEES & REGISTRATION
Tuition Fee (per Academic Year)
Monastics/Tibetan/Himalayan Region: Free of charge
Zone 1: €200
Reduced rate (Zone 1): €100
Zone 2: €50
Reduced rate (Zone 2): €25
The reduced course fee applies to students, retirees, and low-income earners. We will be asking you for proof thereof in the registration form.
We do not wish that fees are an obstacle to you participating in the course. If even the reduced course fee is an issue for you, please let us know in the registration form.
Registration
Student enrollment remains open throughout the Prep Module. After the module ends, registration will only be available in guest mode. To learn more about student and guest access, please refer to our FAQ section.
With a one-time registration, you gain access to all available language tracks.
To begin the registration process, please submit the registration form (once available). After submission, we will contact you at the email address you provided with further instructions.
Once your registration is confirmed, you will then gain access to our Learning Management System, which includes announcements, study materials, and links to livestream sessions and recordings.
All essential updates will be sent via email and, if applicable, through a dedicated group chat as they become available.
Please note: We reserve the right to grant or cancel admission to this course at our discretion.
Refund Policy
Please note that all payments made for our online courses are non-refundable. Once payment is received, we are unable to issue any refunds, either in full or in part, regardless of participation level or personal circumstances. However, in the rare case that we cancel a course from our side, any payments already made will, of course, be fully refunded.
We encourage all participants to carefully review course details, schedules, and commitments before registering. If you have any questions prior to enrollment, feel free to contact us at info@nalandastudy.org.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
