“Decoding the Buddhist Project” led by Atisha Mathur

This workshop aims to offer a clearer understanding of traditional Buddhist education and how Tibetan masters have preserved the essence of the Buddha-dharma transmitted from India.

We will explore the central themes of Buddhist thought and how they have traditionally been studied. Far from being subjects relevant only to monastics, these teachings hold immense value for our modern world. Through the lens of a scholar, we will examine how the great Indian Buddhist masters classified various aspects of the Buddha’s teachings and their purpose in understanding the Buddhist view and path. Through the eyes of a practitioner, we will see how these teachings form the foundation of Buddhist practice.

In doing so, participants will gain a taste of how Buddhist masters of the past were able to understand and practice the teachings of the Buddha in an effective and comprehensive way—allowing the Buddha-dharma to flourish up to the present day.

The primary aim of this workshop is to introduce participants to the rich world of Buddhist thought as preserved and transmitted in traditional monastic universities, and to demonstrate its continued relevance in our times. The teachings can often appear mysterious, distant, or inaccessible to those without an extensive background. This workshop will attempt to demystify the Buddha-dharma and present a comprehensive view of what monastics study and how they practice.

Along with a general overview of the core subjects, participants will also be able to get a taste by engaging in dialogues on some of these central themes along with an introductory understanding of the traditional method of study—debate.

About Teacher:
Atisha Mathur, PhD. Atisha was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Language and Literature of South Asia, with a focus on Tibetan studies, at the esteemed Orientale in Naples, Italy. His scholarly pursuits led him to the Central University of Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India, where he was first immersed in the traditional approach to Buddhist studies.
Atisha then completed a rigourous 10-year study program at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsalawhich emphasizes logic, debate, and the major Indian and Tibetan treatises. In 2024, he earned his doctoral degree in Buddhist Studies at L’Orientale in Naples, Italy.
Since 2019, Atisha has generously shared his expertise in logic and debate with groups of students from all over the world.

Please note- “attendance in all sessions is mandatory.”
For queries, registration & accommodation, please email: info@deerpark.in