Tibetan Calligraphy, Part 2

Benefits of Taking This Course

• Experience the sacred aesthetics of the Tibetan writing system
• Discover the therapeutic benefits of focus and calm as you practice the characters
• Take part in an ancient tradition of great integrity and meaning

For Tibetan Buddhists, learning to read and write Tibetan is a key that unlocks the great wealth of Dharma held within Tibetan literature, such as the kangyur and the tengyur. Additionally, learning the read the Tibetan practice scriptures, mantras, and seed syllables is a powerful support for visualization meditation.

For those already familiar with Tibetan calligraphy, we think you’ll enjoy this opportunity to learn a different tradition or improve on what you already know. Calligraphers and artists may also wish to integrate Tibetan writing into their own creative output, such as artworks and design pieces.

For students of Tibetology and the Tibetan language, this course will help improve speed and clarity—especially as learning the alphabet is an essential foundation to read and write Tibetan coherently.

For students already familiar with the basics of Tibetan calligraphy, this course will allow you to go deeper and further with your calligraphy practice as you learn to write words, including the mani mantra.

Tuition: $297

• How much is tuition? $297 USD. Wisdom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your tuition helps support the preservation of Buddhist teachings and the creation of more amazing courses like this one!

• How do I take this course? Click any of the enroll buttons on this page to enroll, then check your email for the welcome email. Please closely read the welcome email, even if you’ve taken a Wisdom Academy course before, as it contains important information on how to take the course successfully. Follow the instructions in the welcome email to take the course.

• How long is the course? This course is available for self-study, so there is no set schedule, so you can complete it at your own pace.

• How long do I have access? Enrolled students will retain ongoing access to course materials.

• What materials will I need for this course? Below are Tashi’s suggestions.

1. Paper: A3 size (297 x 420mm or 11-3/4 x 16-1/2 inch) pad of cartridge or other good quality paper.
2. Regular straight-edge ruler
3. Pens: Disposable calligraphy-style square nib felt-tip pens are especially good for beginners. Though such pens will quickly lose the edge of the nib which decreases the definition of the writing. Pilot Parallel pens come in four nib sizes, a larger nib size of 3.8mm is recommended, as the smaller nib sizes do not provide the necessary definition. For the more experienced calligrapher, Tashi worked closely with Turkish based Pratik Pen company to design a pen to the correct Tibetan writing specifications. Pratik Pen now produces beautiful Tibetan calligraphy Uchen writing style dip-in ink pen sets.

4. Inks: cartridge ink for Pilot Parallel, or Japanese Sumi ink for dip-in pen styles.
5. Pencils: HB to 2B
6. Eraser: any will do
7. Pencil sharpener: any will do

Meet Your Teacher

Born to a Buddhist family in the United Kingdom, Tashi Mannox first took notice of the Tibetan language at about the age of 13, when he spent time with two Tibetan Lamas. At the age of 22, Tashi himself took the precepts of a Buddhist monk. Being artistically inclined, he developed his Tibetan writing skills while working as a scribe. This labor of devotion and discipline honed his skills, not just in the classical Uchen script, but the many other Tibetan script styles. His teachers in Tibetan calligraphy include H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche and Akong Tulku Rinpoche, and he has studied Lantsa Sanskrit with Lama Pema Lodrup of Dharmsala.  

Since leaving his monastic lifestyle, Tashi has continued working in the preservation and conservation of the Tibetan writing systems. In response to an ever-growing interest in Tibetan Calligraphy, he teaches master classes and lectures worldwide, including at Oxford University and the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City. In recent years, Tashi was invited to help re-establish the (Tibetan) Bhutanese calligraphy tradition to Bhutan’s educational and monastic institutions. The Khenpo of the central monastic body of Bhutan gave Tashi the honored title of Ambassador of Bhutanese Calligraphy. 

Tashi is now recognized as one of the world’s foremost contemporary Tibetan calligraphers and dharma artists, exhibiting his masterpieces internationally, including at the Moscow Calligraphy Museum, the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum in the United Arab Emirates, and the World Calligraphy Biennale of Jeollabuk-do in South Korea. Tashi is also the author of Sacred Scripts, which was endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Learn more about Tashi and follow his work on his website!

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The Wisdom Academy was founded in 2016. Since then, we’ve grown to be the leader in online Buddhist learning, with over 45 courses and thousands of students enrolled.

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Our courses offer teachings on Dzogchen, shamatha, mahamudra, vipassana, mindfulness, jhana, and much more. The clear, progressive structure of the courses will support you in learning about the profound philosophy and practices of the Dharma. You’ll discover the vivid and immediate ways that the teachings can create more ease, joy, and freedom in your daily life. Click here to learn more and explore our course catalog.

All photos of Tashi and his art and materials on this page are ©2023 Luke Townsend.