Admissions
Eligibility
Our program is open to students of all ages and backgrounds. It is best suited for practitioners with a deep interest in Vajrayana Buddhism and who have maintained a meditation practice for at least three years. Preference is given to those students who are familiar with Mingyur Rinpoche’s unique style of teaching.
Application Process
Questionnaire
This brief questionnaire is intended to gather some basic information about you and your interest in the program.
Autobiographical Document(s)
This document should provide an overview of your interest in the program, as well as your experience in meditative and dharma-related activities. We encourage you to use whatever medium is most helpful to express yourself. This could include written word, video material, photographs, artwork and more.
Letter of Reference
Please provide us with reference from a member of your spiritual community who can speak directly to your engagement in meditation and dharma-related activities. Often, this is a teacher or mentor, but we are happy to accept a reference from a peer as well.
Interview
Upon receiving a completed application, you will be invited to schedule a 30–60 minute admissions interview with one of our faculty members.
Program Structure
Admission is to the Certificate of Applied Buddhism program, which begins with the Foundations of Buddhist Experience course. Once accepted to the program, students are not required to reapply for subsequent courses. Continuation in the program is based on full participation in each course, including attending sessions, completing assignments, and engaging openly, rather than a subsequent application process.
Rolling Admissions
Applications for the 2027 program open September 15, 2026, and are accepted on a rolling basis. The admissions review process begins January 15, 2027, when applicants who have submitted a complete application will be contacted to schedule an interview. From that point, we review materials weekly and communicate decisions on a rolling basis. The application deadline is August 1, 2027, though we encourage early applications, as spaces and financial aid are limited.
2027 Admissions Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 9/15/2026 | Applications open for the 2027 Foundations of Buddhist Experience course. |
| 1/15/2027 | Applicants who have completed their application and submitted all supporting documents will be contacted to schedule an admissions interview. |
| 1/29/2027 | Monthly information sessions for prospective Foundations of Buddhist Experience students begin. |
| 6/1/2027 | Scholarship application deadline. |
| 6/15/2027 | Scholarship decisions announced. |
| 8/1/2027 | Applications close for the 2027 Foundations of Buddhist Experience course. |
| 9/1/2027 | Foundations of Buddhist Experience course begins. |
| 12/1/2027 | Foundations of Buddhist Experience course concludes. |
Prerequisite for Admission
In order to participate fully and benefit from the program, applicants are required to have completed Mingyur Rinpoche’s Joy of Living Level 1 and 2 before joining. The institute will offer these courses free of charge to students who have been accepted into the program.
This requirement ensures that everyone entering the program has already laid the foundation of practice and understanding needed to engage meaningfully with the teachings, meditations, and experiential work ahead.
2027 Program Pricing
Prices listed below cover expenses at the Institute, including program fees, course materials, excursions, and celebrations. However, they do not include housing, international flights, visas, travel insurance, personal transportation in Nepal, pilgrimages, or donations to program teachers and the Osel Ling Monastery.
Base Rate
$4,200 USD
Reduced Rate
$3,675 USD
The number of reduced rate spaces will be determined by the number of participants who choose to pay the sponsor price. This number will be finalized by June 15, 2027.
Sponsor Rate
$5,775 USD
By paying the sponsorship rate, you directly provide an opportunity for someone to participate who is unable to pay the full rate.
2027 Housing Prices
Students enrolled in the Foundations of Buddhist Experience program are required to reside on campus. Returning students may choose to live either on campus or off campus.
Please note that single-room accommodations are limited and are not automatically guaranteed. Assignments are made based on availability and demonstrated need, with priority given to students who require additional privacy due to documented medical conditions or other specific circumstances.
2027 housing prices have not yet been finalized, but we expect them to be close to the 2026 prices: $2,700 for a shared room at Sangha House, $3,700 for a single room at Old Shrine Hall, and $4,200 for a single room at Sangha House. These figures are provided to help you plan.
Shared Room: Sangha House
TBD
Single Room: Old Shrine Hall
TBD
Single Room: Sangha House
TBD
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available. We offer several types of scholarships:
- General Scholarship — full or partial assistance toward tuition, based on a holistic look at need and life situation; this scholarship does not cover housing costs
- Monastic Scholarship — offered through a partnership grant, covering full tuition and housing for members of the monastic community
- Social Impact Project Scholarship — covers full or partial tuition and housing costs; learn more about eligibility on our Social Impact Scholarship Fund page
Financial aid applications will be shared after a student is offered admission into the program. The application deadline for the General and Social Impact Project scholarships is June 1, 2027, with decisions announced June 15, 2027. Monastic scholarships are extended to accepted monastic applicants for as long as grant funding remains.