Ladahk — Little Tibet

Like much of the world today, India is evolving and modernizing as it begins the 21st century. But amidst new technology, international business, and global politics, Holy Men, Sadhus, Yogi’s and Shramas — seekers of truth — still wander the jungles, forests, and mountains in spiritual pursuit of inner peace, self realization and liberation. For thousands of years, the peoples of India have been seeking the deepest truths about the nature of reality and have been exploring the depths of human consciousness. Their insights and discoveries have shaped one of the world’s richest and longest living cultures.

Our intensive Ladahk Study Abroad Program begins in India’s capital of New Delhi where we study Sikhism. Our classroom is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi’s largest Sikh temple where we learn how Sikhism became a synthesis of Hindu and Sufi Islamic ideas. New Delhi is home to one of India’s most prestigious museums — the National Museum of New Delhi — that houses masterpieces of Indian sculpture dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization 2500 BCE. At this museum we will study Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sculpture.

We then depart for Agra where we study the world of Islam with a visit to the Taj Mahal — one of Islam’s greatest architectural gems and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After Agra, we then depart on a spectacular mountain flight over the massive Himalayas to Ladahk where our program focuses on Buddhism. During this culturally rich learning experience in India we explore these ancient philosophies and religious traditions and learn how they are alive in India today. This program takes place in both urban and rural environments for a comprehensive study of India’s cultural and spiritual traditions.

Program Description

Our Ladahk program is offered during the summer sessions and is based in New Delhi, Agra, and Ladahk. Ladahk, the land of the high mountain passes, is one of the most unique and remote regions in India. Often referred to as Little Tibet, it is one of the last places where a Tibetan Buddhist culture has remained untouched. It is part of the Trans-Himalaya, a vast complex of mountain ranges between the main Himalaya range and the Tibetan plateau.

Ladahk is dotted with centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and they will be our classroom each day as we study Buddhist philosophy, art and culture. We will receive lectures on site at these monasteries from some of Ladahk’s most renowned scholars and lamas. We will also have the opportunity to visit the homes of the local Ladahki people and to offer our services at The Tibetan Children’s Village.

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