Regular Attendance
Prompt and regular attendance at all assigned classes is required.
Sample Daily Schedule
| 3:30 – 4:00 a.m. | Wake Up |
| 4:00 – 5:00 a.m. | Morning Recitation |
| 5:00 – 6:00 a.m. | Morning Bowing |
| 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. | Morning meditation or study |
| 6:15 – 6:45 a.m. | Breakfast (Laity) |
| 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. | Avatamsaka Sutra recitation |
| 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Scheduled classes, monastery work, or recitation |
| 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Meal Offering Ceremony |
| 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. | Vegetarian meal (Noon meal) |
| 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. | Great Compassion Repentance |
| 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Classes, monastery work, or study |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Meditation, bowing/recitation |
| 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. | Dinner (Laity) |
| 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Evening Recitation |
| 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. | Sutra Lecture |
| 9:00 – 9:30 p.m. | Evening mantras |
| 10:30 p.m. | Light Out |
Weekend Activities in Addition to the Daily Schedule:
| 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Shurangama Mantra (Sat) |
| 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Sutra Lecture (Sat and Sun) |
| 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Great Compassion Mantra (Sat) |
Attendance Requirements & Policies
The Sangha & Laity Training Programs are offered daily throughout the year. Students are expected to be in attendance for 50 weeks of the year, including scheduled meditation and recitation retreats.
Students may refer to the class schedule for each term to determine which classes are required and which are optional and to be made aware of an any additional classes scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays and at other times as determined by instructors.
Leave of Absence
A student may take a leave of absence from the Training Programs for one semester if the principal purpose for the leave is related to the student’s educational objective, or for serious and compelling reasons such as verified cases of accident, acute or chronic illness, or a family emergency. Students may petition to extend a leave of absence by one additional semester.
Students absent beyond one year who wish to continue in the programs will be required to reapply for admission. Leave of Absence forms may be obtained from and are to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.
Unofficial Withdrawal
Students who leave a course or Program without officially withdrawing from enrollment are subject to failing grades or dismissal.
Cancellation of Scheduled Courses
The SLTP administration reserves the right to cancel any course listed in the class schedule if enrollment is three students or less, or if an instructor is not available due to an unavoidable change in faculty personnel.
A Sangha or Laity Training diploma is awarded at the successful completion of the total number of clock hours required for the course of Training for which the student enrolled; this usually takes four years.
Award of diplomA