Experiences of a Tibetan Student at KCE

October 14, 2024

Experience Report of a Tibetan Student

My name is Jannes, and I am 20 years old. Over the past three years, I have been studying and working at the Dhagpo Möhra Buddhist Center in Germany. During my time there, I was naturally introduced to the Tibetan language and quickly developed a keen interest in learning it. Initially, I began teaching myself the Tibetan alphabet and reading skills. Following the advice of a translator who was translating for a course, I later enrolled in private online Tibetan classes with a native speaker.
However, I soon realized that this approach alone would not be enough to achieve my goals. So, in the winter of 2023, I spent three months in Kathmandu, Nepal, where I stayed with a Tibetan family and took private classes every day. Through this, I gained a basic understanding of the language. After returning, still wanting to gain more experience, I was very happy that the idea to continue my studies at KCE turned up.
The primary reason I wanted to learn Tibetan was to study classical Buddhist texts in their original language. This allows for a deeper understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. Additionally, mastering Tibetan will enable me to translate and convey Buddhist teachings to others in their mother tongue.

KCE was an ideal place for my studies for several reasons. The center offers a calm and pleasant environment that encourages learning, in contrast to the bustling and sometimes distracting atmosphere of Kathmandu. Staying in a community, particular in one of our lineage, made me feel at home, and practicing Tibetan felt natural.

Being daily immersed in a Tibetan-speaking environment, especially with children who are eager to communicate, greatly improved my language skills. This kind of exposure to everyday language use is something that cannot be learned from textbooks.

Since my Tibetan has improved significantly, I now feel more confident speaking it. Studying the language in the same way children from the Himalayas do has provided me with a more authentic experience compared to traditional Western methods.
Upon arriving in Kalimpong, I immediately began participating in Tibetan classes for grades 4 to 7 and attended a Buddhist class on Nagarjuna’s “Letter to a Friend,” taught by one of the resident acharyas. I also joined the daily morning and Mahakala Pujas, as well as the monthly Dharma talks held on the full moon days.
In our Tibetan classes, we used textbooks designed for Tibetan children, focusing on reading stories and more advanced texts to build vocabulary and comprehension. We also learned Tibetan grammar gradually and practiced writing short stories and articles. The ability to ask questions and receive guidance from Tibetan teachers was incredibly valuable.
In my free time, when there were no classes and the children were at school, I engaged in self-study. After school, I would often join the children in making Tormas and spend time playing and conversing until the Mahakala Puja.
Overall, my five months at KCE were deeply rewarding. The openness of the children and the opportunity to study Tibetan and Buddhism together were invaluable. As my Tibetan continues to improve, I plan to focus more on studying the Dharma in greater detail.