Beginning 3rd October 2026, registrations open through 2nd October
Mind & Life Europe is pleased to share that registration is now open for the second edition of the Three-Year Program in Logic and Debate, beginning on the 3rd October, 2026.
There is a way of debating that is not about being right, but about gaining a deeper understanding of reality. In the Buddhist tradition, debate is neither a competition nor an exercise in rhetoric. It is a practice of study and transformation: a rigorous method for testing our beliefs, sharpening critical thinking, cultivating active listening, and deepening our understanding of the teachings. The Three-Year Program in Logic and Debate grows out of this ancient tradition, which originated at Nālandā University and was later developed in the great Tibetan monastic universities, where debate remains central to education and philosophical training.
The Program is a collaboration between Mind & Life Europe, Sera Jey Monastic University, the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, and the Research Center of the Italian Buddhist Union. Mind & Life Europe brings to the collaboration its experience in fostering dialogue between contemplative practice and scientific research. Its involvement supports the contemporary relevance of the Program and creates opportunities to connect it with interdisciplinary research exploring the potential benefits of debate.
Offered in both English and Italian and conducted primarily online, the program makes one of the Buddhist tradition’s most sophisticated methods of inquiry accessible to an international community of students. Optional in-person intensives are also offered at Sera Jey Monastic University in India and the Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy. Over the course of three years, students will study Buddhist logic, the structure of debate, and key topics in Buddhist philosophy. The program combines theory classes, supervised practice sessions, carefully selected study materials, and exchange within an international community engaged in study, practice, and research.
The program is open to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, whether for academic study or contemplative practice. It is also well suited to those who wish to develop practical skills in analysis, communication, and constructive dialogue. No prior background in Buddhism is required. The program is also open to those approaching these subjects for the first time. For those looking for a rigorous course that brings together study, practice, and dialogue, the Three-Year Program in Logic and Debate offers a way to train the mind, deepen one’s understanding of reality, and explore the continuing relevance of this ancient practice of inquiry.
The second edition will begin on the 3rd October 2026. Registration is open through the 2nd October 2026, or until all available places have been filled.