Kham — East Tibet

Although ancient Tibet is slowly disappearing, one would never know it when visiting Kham — Eastern Tibet. Buddhist monasteries and nunneries flourish with thousands of monks and nuns devoutly studying and practicing Buddhism like they have done for centuries. Giant mantras are carved into the sides of mountains. Colorful prayer flags can be seen everywhere. Stupas, monuments of enlightenment, dot the landscape, towns and villages making Kham appear as a magical Buddhist Paradise. During this exciting study abroad program you will learn how little of the Buddhist traditional culture and lifestyle has changed over time here in Eastern Tibet and how Buddhism is the most important influence in Tibet’s remarkable culture.

This program offers you the rare opportunity to experience one of the most fascinating cultures and Buddhist civilizations in the world. You explore Tibet’s most precious cultural treasure — its monasteries. You will study in these sacred power places filled with hundreds of monks and nuns dedicating their lives to the Buddhist path to enlightenment.

As you travel throughout Kham you will come to discover the incredible natural beauty of this region of Tibet with its high grasslands, deep gorges, glacier filled lakes and magnificent snow capped peaks.

Program Description

Our East Tibet program is offered during the summer sessions and begins in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, where you will have your first introduction to Asian culture. In Chengdu the focal point of study will be Chinese Buddhism where you will explore and study at a few ancient Chinese Buddhist monasteries. After Chengdu, you will visit the largest rock carved Buddha statue in the world at Leshan. After Leshan, our focus of study will be Tibetan Buddhism as we explore and study at many of East Tibet’s most famous monasteries. In these monasteries you will study Buddhist art, architecture, philosophy and culture. During this program you will be immersed in Kham’s fascinating culture with visits to local village and nomad homes. At the conclusion of the program you will visit one of the world’s best preserved Panda bear habitats back in Sichuan Province.

This is a sample program description. When students enroll in the program they will receive a detailed syllabus and course description for each course.