Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) Sri Lanka International Buddhis academy (SIBA) is a unique liberal arts

higher educational institution set up within a monastic and eco-friendly environment. It is the Higher Education Institution of Sri Dalada Maligawa, The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the holy city of Kandy. SIBA is both national and international in scope, grounded on Buddhist principles and, designed to produce local, national, and international religious, social, and political leaders who are simultaneously Dhamma practitioners and disseminators. The Diploma In Buddhist Counselling is offered to both attending and distance learning students from our beautiful campus in Palekelle, near Kandy, Sri Lanka. VISION : To be the International Buddhist University in Sri Lanka providing guidance to leadership, based on the development of wisdom and inculcation of Buddhist values. MISSION : Providing and promoting education and training to interested laypersons and members of the monastic community, in Sri Lanka and

abroad, by creating opportunities and facilities to learn, teach and apply the knowledge acquired, for realizing for oneself the validity and veracity of the teaching of the Buddha. This will enable SIBA graduates to create such understanding in others and thereby serve humanity in general. Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy Pallekele, Kundasale 20168, Sri Lanka Tel: +94 81 2421693, +94 81 2423975-77

Buddhist Counselling in SIBA A New Approach

This one year Diploma course equips students with a foundation in Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practice, counselling skills, a knowledge of key Dhamma texts (Suttas), an introduction to the Buddhist theory of mind (Abhidhamma), an introduction to Buddhist models of psychological therapy. Students are introduced to the study of Buddhism as an ancient system of psychological healing that has much to offer contemporary psychology and psychological therapy practice. Areas covered include: teachings on the pervasiveness of psychological suffering and its causes, practical applications of healing techniques taught by the Buddha, plus contemporary psychological appplications of mindfulness and meditation outside a religious context, that scientific evidence shows have led many to increased peace, vitality and freedom. The skills and knowledge acquired can be usefully applied to counselling work in a range of educational, social and health care contexts. It can also enrich the perspective of those with an established counselling, psychotherapy or clinical psychology practice who are interested in working with Buddhists, or wish to be informed from a Buddhist perspective.

Course Structure
The Diploma course is of one year duration across two semesters. There are two modes of study available: by attendance at the SIBA campus one day a week, and by distance learning. The attending course takes place at the SIBA campus all day on Sunday. This year it begins on April 29th 2012 and continues through to mid March

2013.There is additional self directed study required together with daily meditation and mindfulness practice. Assessment takes place though essay assignments, practice based learning journals, oral presentations in class, and oral examination of a final dissertation at SIBA. Distance learning course students will begin with an orientation and practice retreat from 6th to the 12th August 2012. Online studies will then commence on 15th August 2012 through to the following July. Distance learning students will be expected to attend the course online each week and participate in online forums, chat rooms and collaborative assignments, as well as maintain a learning journal or blog reflecting on daily meditation and mindfulness practice. Assessment takes place through essay assignments, maintenance of a practice based learning journal/blog, collaborative online presentations/projects and examination of dissertation at SIBA during the final retreat in June. There is a break in December over the Christmas and New Year period. Further course details, application forms and a reading list will soon be available for download here. Or contact info@buddhistcounselling. Net

Distance learning
From August 2012 you can study from anywhere in the world by combining practice based retreats at the SIBA campus near Kandy, Sri Lanka, with interactive online learning from your desk top.

COURSE STRUCTURE: ONLINE DIPLOMA

Training Retreat: August 6th to 12th 2012: Introduction to Buddhist Counselling- Skills /Theory workshops from Core Staff and Guest Speakers Mindfulness Training: Emotional Literacy, the Brahmaviharras and the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness. Meditation theory and practice - 4 hours daily- plus study skills session on keeping a mindfulness practice and meditation blog/ journal. Online Modules: August 15th to May 20th 2013 1. Sutta Studies (August 13th to November 19th 2012), - 15 weeks

2. Introductory Abhidhamma Studies (November 26th to January 30th 2013), - 8 weeks 3. Applied Buddhist Psychology- Counselling Theory and Practice (February 4th 2013 to May 27th 2013), - 15 weeks 4. Online Meditation Journals about developing mindfulness and meditation practice running all year round, from the retreat onwards. Dissertation supervision: May 20th to July 15th 2013 - 8 weeks Final written and oral exam on a closing retreat at SIBA: July 22nd to 25th 2013

Fees:
Foreign students: $950 Diploma course tuition fee plus $150 retreat fee (covers accommodation, food, tuition fees): TOTAL $1100.00 Home students: 16,500 LKR Diploma course tuition fee plus 3,500 LKR retreat fee (covers accommodation, food, tuition fees): TOTAL 20,000 LKR Distance learners will be invited to participate in comprehensive training retreats at the beautiful SIBA campus, in Palekelle, near Kandy, Sri Lanka. Students are expected to attend for a week long retreat at the beginning of the year long Diploma course, and for 3 days for graduate assessment purposes at the end. Areas covered in retreats will include meditation practice, counselling skills and mindfulness training.

Training Retreat: August 6th to 12th 2012

Introduction to Buddhist Counselling- Skills and Theory workshops from Core Staff and Guest Speakers: including the Healing Practice of Sutta Reading, Buddhist Family Counselling, Buddhist Pre-Marital Counselling, Core Competencies in Buddhist Counselling. Mindfulness Training: Emotional Literacy, the Brahmaviharas and the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness. Ethics and Boundaries in Counselling, Validation and Invalidation, Listening and Responding with Awareness, Maintaining Mind Training Practices. Meditation Theory and Practice - Brahamviharas and the 4 Foundations

of Mindfulness with Venerable Bhante Buddharakkhita 4 hours practice daily- plus study skills session on keeping a mindfulness and meditation blog/ journal.

STAFF
Course Leader: Dr Sarath Chandrasekera: Head of Department of Buddhist Studies- SIBA Core course team includes: Dr Sarath Chandrasekera - Sutta Studies and Buddhist Family Counselling Dr Jo Nash - Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Psychotherapy Studies Venerable Bhante Buddharakkhita- Meditation instruction and supervision Additional course contributors includeVenerable Kusala Derangala - Meditation instruction/ supervision and Abhidhamma Studies Professor G.A.Somaratne- Abhidhamma Studies Dr Venerable Vaskaduve Suvimalee Bhikkuni - Abhidhamma Studies Visiting Professors, Scholars, Clinicians and Meditation Teachers will also deliver additional classes, available by podcast for e-learning students, plus workshops on retreats and guest online tuition.

CONTACT

info@buddhistcounselling.net