Mind Sciences, Logic, and Contemplative Practices in the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Classics University of Pisa

Overview

The first year provides the foundational tools for a four-year curriculum, focusing on logic, debate, syllogistic reasoning, and Buddhist epistemology as methods for investigating cognition and the phenomenological world. Through a rigorous and systematic approach, participants cultivate critical, analytical, dialogical, and transformative skills applicable to educational, clinical, social, and organizational contexts.

The course is designed to train professionals with solid competencies in cognitive and dialogical processes. Upon completion, participants will be able to analyze key cognitive functions such as perception, memory, emotion, and reasoning; identify cognitive biases, distortions, and automatic patterns of thought; construct and evaluate arguments using formal logic and critical thinking tools; and apply epistemological and dialogical skills across diverse professional contexts.

By the end of the course, participants will have developed an integrated set of competencies:

Cognitive competencies

• Advanced understanding of cognitive processes, including perception, memory, emotion, and reasoning;

• Ability to recognize biases, distortions, and habitual patterns of thought.

Methodological competencies

• Professional use of logic, syllogistic reasoning, and structured debate as tools for critical inquiry and knowledge validation;

• Capacity to integrate Buddhist epistemology with contemporary scientific and philosophical perspectives.

Interpersonal competencies

• Dialogical mediation skills;

• Effective, critical, and reflective communication.

Ethical competencies

• Intellectual integrity and epistemic responsibility;

• Social responsibility;
• Awareness of the cognitive and relational impact of mental processes in interpersonal contexts.

Teaching activities include experiential workshops with structured debate sessions, guided practices of mental observation and focused attention, and epistemological integration aimed at fostering dialogue between Buddhist epistemology and contemporary neuroscience, psychology, and analytic philosophy.

Over the subsequent three years, the program will proceed with the study of cognitive and psychological processes through the mapping of the mind and mental factors (Pramāṇavārttika, Chapter 2, and Lorig) in the second year; the philosophy of dependent arising and emptiness (Madhyamaka) in the third year; and the stages and paths of mental development, based on the Abhisamayālaṅkāra and the Perfection of Wisdom literature, in the fourth year.

At the end of the Summer School, participants will be required to complete a final project work focused on the topics addressed and the learning pathway undertaken during the programme. Successful completion of the project work is required in order to obtain the corresponding academic credits.

The Summer School will be activated with at least 27 students. The maximum number of participants is set to 100 students.

The Summer School will be held on campus, in Orvieto (TR), at Hotel Reale, Piazza del Popolo, 27.