Our Impact
The Three Cups Program gathers monastic teachers coming from various monasteries and nunneries.
Monasteries Already Joined
Monastics will gather from throughout India, Nepal, and Bhutan to participate in this transformative program.
Program Overview
Six Days to Enhance Your Teaching Journey
A practical teacher training program exploring three essential dimensions of teaching:
Who am I as a teacher?
Honor the sacred role of the Dharma teacher.
Who are my students, and how do I connect with them?
Understand today's learners to build meaningful connections.
How do I transmit and communicate the Dharma effectively?
Strengthen teaching methods, communication, and facilitation skills to create engaging learning experiences for your students.
Topics
- The qualities, purpose, and motivation of a modern monastic teacher
- Understanding how people think, learn and interact
- How memory and learning work — using cognitive science to teach*
- Differences between beginner and expert — and what it reveals about students' struggles*
- Basic Goodness Behavior in the classroom
- Listening, communication, and storytelling for human connection
- Presentation, facilitation, and session-design skills
- Teaching techniques backed by science — examples, questioning, narrative*
- The action learning cycle — how do I learn, and how do my students?
- Giving and receiving feedback with confidence
*Presentation topic subject to change.
Presentation & Discussion
Each day, you will take part in engaging presentations, activities, panel discussions, and reflections — learning from experienced educators and exchanging ideas with monastic teachers from across the region and beyond. Bilingual materials in English and Tibetan will be provided.
Practical Implementation
You will put the tools and strategies from the sessions into practice through micro-teaching and peer feedback. Experiment, learn from one another, and build practical teaching skills you can bring directly into your classroom.
Real-time application You Won't Just Learn It — You'll Practice It
Throughout the program, you'll immediately apply each new concept through practical activities, including:
- Micro-teaching sessions where you teach short lessons in a supportive environment
- Receive structured feedback from peers and experienced bi-cultural facilitators
- Ensure every new skill becomes part of your teaching, not just your notes
In Their Own Words
Hear from Previous Participants
Program Benefits
What You Can Expect
International Community
Join a growing community of like-minded monastic teachers
Panel Discussions
Exchange ideas and experiences with monastic educators from across the region and beyond
Expert Presentations
Learn from experts who are effectively adapting their teaching for a changing world
Bilingual Materials
Presentation materials provided in English and Tibetan
Q&A Sessions
Direct access to presenters for your questions and concerns
Quiz & Prizes
Friendly quizzes with prizes throughout the program
Expert Faculty
Meet Your Presenters
Learn from experienced educators and practitioners who bridge tradition with innovation
Lead Trainers & Facilitators
Joseph Faria
Teacher & Translator
Asha Pillai-Balsara
Trainer
Senge Catherine
Monastic Education Coordinator
Monastic Educator Contributors
Khenpo Pema Woser
Teacher
Geshe Lharampa Jampal Kelsang
Teacher
Lopon Karma Shendon
Teacher
Stay tuned! Bios for our newest presenters and additional esteemed guests will be revealed shortly.
Eligibility
Who Is This For?
- ✓ Traditionally trained monastic teachers (monks and nuns) from all four Tibetan Buddhist schools
- ✓ Monastic educational leaders (principals and directors)
- ✓ Monastic teachers who are currently teaching monastics and/or laypeople
- ✓ Monastic teachers from both major and remote monasteries or centers across Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Tibet
- ✓ Monastic teachers who live outside this region are also welcome to apply
Full Support
What We Will Provide
Everything you need to focus on learning and connecting with fellow educators
Comfortable lodging at SINI for the duration of the program
All meals provided throughout your stay
All training materials and resources in English and Tibetan
Modest travel budget available for participants from Bhutan, India, and Nepal
Visit the Dhamek Stupa, where the Buddha first turned the wheel of Dharma
Surprise talks and special presentations throughout the program
Note: A modest travel budget is available for participants coming from Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Longer international travel must be covered personally.
Program Sponsors
The Three Cups Monastic Teacher Training Program is generously supported by the Khyentse Foundation and the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute.
Teaching Partnerships
In partnership with
Registration
Ready to Join Us?
Register now to secure your place in the December 2026 Three Cups Monastic Teacher Training Program. Limited seats available—don't miss your chance!
Application deadline: October 15, 2026
Have Questions?
Contact our program coordinators
Sarnath International Nyingma Institute
SA 14/52 P-2, Baraipur, Varanasi, UP 221007, India