LRZTP 10 FAQ

Frequently asked Questions for LRZTP 10

Where is the LRZTP 10 program held?

How long will the program run?

Do I need to know some Tibetan before LRZTP 10 begins?

Who typically studies at LRZTP?

Is the program taught in English?

Is the program teacher a Tibetan?

What is the daily schedule of the program?

What are the program tuition fees?

In case the program doesn’t open, will I get my deposit back?

Do we have to be Buddhist in order to attend the program?

What visa do I need to attend LRZTP 10 and how do I get it?

 

Living in Dharamsala

What is the cost of renting a room?

What is the cost of food?

What is the weather like in a typical year?

What happens in the event of illness and hospitalization?

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Where is the LRZTP 10 Program held?

Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program is located between the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and the Men Tsee Khang in the Rato Chuwar Labrang, Phutsok Gatsel on Session Road.

Facilities include the LRZTP classroom, small auxiliary classroom kitchen, library, three bathrooms, one teachers’ room and staff office. There is also a large courtyard where students and staff take lunch together. Our neighbors include the Voice of Tibet and the Chuwar Labrang.

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How long will the program run?

LRZTP 10 will run over a period of two years, beginning on 17 October 2025.

The LRZTP 10 language program will be completed in October 2027 and the interpretation training program will be organized for a period of 6-8 weeks following the completion of LRZTP 10 provided there is sufficient interest.

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Do I need to know some Tibetan before LRZTP 10 begins?

Not necessarily.  Module 1 will begin with learning how to read and write but being familiar with the Tibetan language will help you adjust more easily in the first few weeks.

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Who typically studies at LRZTP?

We have had a wide range of students successfully attend our LRZTP programs, both international students and local to India as well as Buddhists and non-Buddhists.

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Is the program taught in English?

It will be taught in English and Tibetan during year one, the proportion of which will be in accordance with the progression of the program. Year two will be taught in Tibetan primarily by native-speaker teachers with the degree of geshe.

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Is the program teacher a Tibetan?

LRZTP 10 will be co-taught Filip Majkowski, who has an excellent comand of English. Most of the other teachers will be native Tibetan speakers with varying degrees of English proficiency. There will also be weekly Classical Tibetan classes (taught by Filip Majkowski and guest teachers).

It is important for students to be exposed to the correct pronunciation of Tibetan Language, as well as take their lead from a Western teacher who has accomplished learning from a non-native perspective.

Geshe Phuntsok Lekmon (Kham) and Geshe Lhundup Kalsang (Utsang) co-taught the Dharma topics in year 2 of LRZTP 10. Both have lots of experience teaching non-Tibetan students general Tibetan and Dharma subjects. The fact that one teacher is from Kham and the other from Utsang will provide the students with the opportunity to gain familiarity with the two dialects.
Gen Majkowski taught the first year of the LRZTP 8 and 9 programs and has a wealth of translation and teaching experience.

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What is the daily schedule of the program


Monday-Friday

 09:00-10:00 LTWA class

10:30-10:45 Prayers and meditation

10:45-11:50 Main class

11:50-12:00 Tea/coffee break

12:00-13:00 Main class

13:00-14:00 Lunch break

14:00-16:00 Conversation/tutoring classes (including a tea break 15:00-15:10)

Please note, students must attend every session of the day.

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What are the Program Tuition fees?

Contact us at – contact@lrztp.org

Two-year Program  – 11,950 USD* (the registration fees are included). LRZTP is offering a 10% concession for ordained Sangha members who will join the 2-year program.

Interpreter Program:

Price to be confirmed along with specific dates

Program fees are inclusive of administration costs, teacher support, language tutor support, lunch and one-on-one conversation classes. They do not include housing, visa costs or LTWA fees.

The registration fee is non-refundable if the student is no longer willing or able to join. An exception will be made if the program itself is canceled (highly unlikely).

*Course fees may be paid in person at the school or else via bank transfer. 2-year courses fees are paid in two installments which are equal to 60% (first installment) and 40% (second installment).

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In case the program does not open, will I get my deposit back?

Yes, in that case we will refund your deposit.

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Do we have to be Buddhist in order to attend the program?

Not at all, the registration for the program is open to everyone who wishes to learn the language.

However during the program we ask the students to commit to abide by the school’s ethical code (refrain from killing, stealing, sexual activity, lying, taking drugs and to follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advice about the practice of Shugden).

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What visa do I need to attend LRZTP 10 and how do I get it?

LRZTP 10 students will only be accepted if they are on a valid student visa which permits them to study in Dharamsala for the length of the course, or if they are local students.

As of now, LRZTP is not a recognized educational institute and as such cannot accept student visa applications. In the past, the students of LRZTP actively participated in one class at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA). The LTWA is a recognized educational institute for student visa application. They are very helpful when accepting new student applications and provide all necessary paperwork: https://tibetanlibrary.org.contact. At the same time, you are welcome to contact LRZTP if you have any concerns about the application of your student visa at manager@lrztp.org.

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Living In Dharamsala

What is the cost of renting a room?

McLeodganj has a growing demand for rented apartments. A typical room with a toilet attached and a kitchen will cost around 7,500-18,000 INR. The bigger the room, the more expensive.

Accommodation in Gamru Village is less expensive and closer to the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and the school. A typical room with an attached toilet and kitchen may be between 6000-13000 INR, depending on the size of the room. 

Accommodation is usually found by word of mouth, through the Dharamsala Expats forum or FB page or physically inquiring in your preferred neighborhood. Students usually arrive earlier with this in mind. We suggest arriving two weeks prior for this reason. 

The price to rent a guesthouse for a day varies and may depend on the season. Guesthouses and hotels are more expensive, charging per night instead of per month.

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What is the cost of food?

It depends on what and where you eat. A restaurant meal could be around 200-600 INR; if you cook for yourself the price becomes a bit smaller. In general, fruit and vegetables are slightly more expensive in McLeodganj then in the Kotwali market (Dharamsala).

McLeodganj and Kotwali market now have some specialized health food shops which can help supplement your diet, especially if you are gluten free or vegan.

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What is the weather like in a typical year?

Winter months are followed by a short, pleasant spring in March and April.
Summer starts in late April and peaks in mid-June (when temperatures can reach 36°C).

July to mid-September is the monsoon season, when very heavy rainfall can be expected, making Dharamsala one of the wettest places in the state.

Autumn is mild and lasts from October to the end of November.

Winter starts in December and continues until the end of February. Temperatures often reach 0°C during winter and cold rain and sleet are common.

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What happens in the event of illness and hospitalization?

For someone new to India, this hypothetical situation can be quite daunting. Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo can provide some recommendations of where to go in the event of ill health but ultimately Lotsawa is not legally responsible for the student’s welfare.

It is strongly advised that every student arranges for appropriate health coverage which includes repatriation costs. There have been instances in the past where students with good health have had accidents or unexpected health problems arose and subsequently spent a few days in the hospital.

In case of a student being hospitalized near Dharamsala, the director can act as a liaison between the student and their family, and also provide emotional support while the student is in hospital. Decisions regarding treatment will be made by the student or their family if the student is not conscious.

For this reason, it is very important every student provides up-to-date contact details for two family members.

A visit to the hospital in India can quickly become quite expensive, with medicines and tests requiring upfront payment. It is ideal for students to have some emergency money they can access quickly.

Your travel book or national website will provide you with up-to-date information on important health points like necessary vaccinations, diseases common to India etc. It is important to investigate these a few months before you leaving for India, in case you need to take a series of vaccinations.

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