The Vision for Forest of Wisdom

All activities of Forest of Wisdom shall be consistent with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as expressed in his Four Commitments. The Four Commitments are: (1) Promoting inner human values like compassion; (2) Promoting religious harmony; (3) Preserving Tibetan culture; and (4) Reviving the Nalanda Tradition.

Forest of Wisdom will be a place for members of the local community and global community to experience peace of mind and joy of heart for generations to come through the following specific endeavors:

Create a stable foundation and infrastructure for a thriving residential monastic Sangha, and then nurture and maintain the residential monastic Sangha.

Hosting regular classes, events, and workshops that teach the Nalanda Tradition methods to positively transform human psychology, whereby people who visit will learn to challenge themselves by changing their thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, leading to more compassionate and ultimately successful lifestyle choices.

Collaborating with interested members of universities to promote the Nalanda Tradition’s novel educational models and practices in an academic context, conduct original research, and engage in dialogue.

Encourage the practice of Nalanda Debate – a powerful critical thinking tool, with social, emotional, and cognitive benefits – by incorporating it into classes and by holding workshops specifically teaching this practice.

In combination with practices and courses that promote the innate potential of human intelligence, Forest of Wisdom will host a variety of traditional prayer and meditation-based practices; to some, these will be a curious journey into Tibetan and other Buddhist cultures, while for others, they will be the powerful inspiration to engage in deep internal transformation and mental improvement.

Host short and long-term retreats, as well as provide support for retreat in external venues by organizing retreats, giving teaching and guidance, and providing resources.

Serve the local Tibetan ethnic community through providing space for communal prayer and social gatherings, classes in Tibetan language and culture for children and youth, and hosting public religious functions.

Develop relationships with local religious institutions to foster inter-faith harmony, including organization of public inter-faith events.

Develop and provide resources for a complete education in the Nalanda Tradition as contained in the curriculum of the Geshe Studies Program, including Tibetan language education, for the residential community.

Support Dharma activities of other Buddhist institutions, scholars, and practitioners, both domestic and international, as well as other humanitarian efforts (i.e., medical, food, housing support, education, climate action, etc.).

Forest of Wisdom

Planting Seeds of Compassion