Learn Tibetan at Universität Heidelberg

Students at Heidelberg University can now study Tibetan at their alma mater. The “Asia and Europe in a Global Context” Cluster of Excellence provides language courses in modern and classical Tibetan. The classes are angled at students of all disciplines who are interested in the Tibetan language and culture. The courses supplement the broad range of offerings in East and Southeast Asian languages available at the Centre for East Asian Studies and the South Asia Institute.

The courses are taught by Jonathan Samuels, an experienced Tibetan instructor who has spent 20 years in Tibetan communities in India and Tibet. He is a holder of the “Geshe”, the highest academic degree for Buddhist monks in Tibet. He earned his master’s degree at the Oriental Institute of Oxford University, where he is at present studying for a doctorate. He has been teaching at the Cluster since September of this year. “The language courses give students an opportunity to steep themselves in Tibetan culture and explore its fascinating legacy,” says Prof. Dr. Birgit Kellner, professor of Buddhist studies at the “Asia and Europe” Cluster of Excellence.  At present there are a total of approx. 6 million people in the world who speak Tibetan.

The classes are held at the Karl Jaspers Centre for Transcultural Research. Jonathan Samuels teaches two introductory courses in classical and colloquial Tibetan three times a week. For further information, contact Ina Chebbi at the secretaries’ office for Buddhist Studies, phone: +49 6221 544363, chebbi@asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de or go to www.asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de .

Contact
Dr. Alexander Häntzschel
Cluster of Excellence “Asia and Europe in a Global Context”
phone: +49 6221 544008
haentzschel@asia-europe.uni-heidelberg.de

Communications and Marketing
Press Office, phone: +49 6221 542311
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