Admission

  • For admission into the Sangha and Laity Training Programs (SLTP), applicants must have a sincere aspiration to pursue a Buddhist-religious vocation and to serve in institutions or organizations that are in harmony with Buddhist goals and principles.
  • Applicants must possess at minimum a high school diploma or its equivalent; be intellectually competent; and, have a resolve to follow the campus regulations reliably and with diligence.
  • As the training includes Buddhist practices that require some physical stamina, a prospective student’s health may be taken into consideration to determine the Program’s ability to benefit the student.
  • The Programs accept new students for enrollment twice a year, for Fall and Spring Semesters.

Age Requirement

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment.
  • Applicants under 18 who wish to enroll must petition to do so; their petitions will be reviewed by an admissions committee and will be judged on the basis of the applicant’s demonstration of sufficient maturity to undertake the training. Such students are enrolled on a probationary basis, subject to regular review.
  • Students below the age of 18 who have not yet completed their secondary education are required to attend Developing Virtue Secondary School at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas concurrent with their Seminary program.

Bilingual Instruction

Instruction is bilingual, in English and Mandarin, according to the language comprehension of students in each class. Required texts are in both languages.

Applicants will be required to have a high-school-graduate level of English or Mandarin respectively. A high school diploma or college transcripts will be sufficient proof of meeting this requirement.

According to individual student needs and interests, SLTP may provide ESL and CSL classes or tutorial services taught by qualified instructors at no additional cost to the student. ESL and CSL classes are not in the programs’ curricula, are not a requirement, and may not be counted toward the diploma.

Program Selection

Students who join the Sangha following enrollment in the Laity Training Program may transfer to the Sangha Training Program.

Although the Sangha Training Program is designed for Sanghans only, the Sangha Training diploma is not a prerequisite for, or connected with, full ordination or membership in the Sangha.

Open Policy

All applications to the Training Programs are considered without regard to an applicant’s race, color, age, sex, or national or ethnic origin. Physical disability is not a disqualification for admission, but, as a small institution, the Sangha & Laity Training Programs are not able to provide special facilities for the disabled.

Special Studies Form

Students wishing to attend academic courses not listed in the current SLTP class schedule, and those wishing to do independent study to earn SLTP clock hours and a letter grade, must obtain a Special Studies Form from the Registrar’s Office, obtain the instructor’s permission and signature, and return the form to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office staff will then arrange for attendance records and evaluation records for all approved Special Studies applications.

Readmission

Former students must submit the admissions application to be considered for readmissions. Previously earned clock hours towards a diploma will be reset to zero if a student withdraws and is readmitted into the same program after 36 months.

Records Retention

Paper and electronic student records are maintained in the SLTP Registrar’s Office at the CTTB campus. Paper records are filed for a minimum of 5 years after a student completes the program, and electronic transcripts are retained permanently. A regularly updated backup of all electronic student records is stored in a separate facility.

Transfer Credit & Credit for Prior Experiential Learning

Transfer credits from other approved or accredited postsecondary institutions may be accepted for up to one-half of the instructional requirements in each area for a maximum of one-half the total credit hours requirement, or 4,000 clock-hours, to be determined prior to admission to this school at no cost to the student. SLTP reserves the right to accept or reject credit earned or attempted at other institutions. SLTP does not have an articulation agreement with any other Seminary program, any college, or any university.

Up to 180 hours [the equivalent of 12 semester units] of documented prior experiential learning at the postsecondary level that demonstrates a balance of theory and practice and that relates directly to SLTP requirements may be accepted toward the program. A portfolio documenting prior experience, work, or training will be compiled under the supervision of a faculty member, who may also administer an examination if deemed necessary. The portfolio will be reviewed by two faculty members to determine the amount and type of credit to be awarded.

Students requesting transfers of credit or credit for prior experiential learning are responsible for submitting official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any other pertinent evidence of their previous training or education. All such documents must be mailed directly to the SLTP Registrar from the institutions or individuals providing them. Any documents received in an unsealed envelope will not be accepted by the Registrar. The student is responsible for all costs involved in obtaining documents.

Advising & Placement

Students are closely supervised in their progress through the Training Programs. Much of the curriculum is aimed at developing virtue and competence in religious practice and inter-cultural skills.

Personal advice, encouragement, and guidance are essential to the process of learning. A senior instructor is in charge of each area of study for students and monitors their progress and attendance closely. In addition, each student is assigned a faculty advisor who assists him or her in making curriculum choices, completing administrative procedures, resolving personal problems and determining career choices.

The Sangha & Laity Training Programs does not prepare students for a particular profession, does not offer job placement assistance to graduates, and does not guarantee placement after graduation. However, the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association maintains extensive contacts with Buddhist monasteries, convents, educational institutions, health centers, and other Buddhist organizations throughout the world and may offer placement advice and letters of recommendation to qualified graduates.