Starting this November, we will open up a brand new Thangka Painting Academy, for foreign students and Mainland students to learn about Tibetan art and culture. Read more below
Thangka Course Overview
The Thangka Academy’s program will provide overseas students with intensive study of Tibetan Thangka painting and Buddhism.  The program includes a special Master’s painting course during morning classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 
You do not need any pre-existing skills in painting or Tibetan to attend the course - Only a sincere interest to learn and a good heart.
In addition to painting and Buddhist practice, the course’s afternoon sessions cover various facets of Tibetan culture all following a repeating three-day schedule cycle. 
Day One
Will cover Tibetan language and writing
Day Two
Will cover Tibetan Buddhism, in a class conducted by the master
Day Three
Focuses on Tibetan folk stories and culture. 
Saturday afternoons may be spent in the old town, at the monastery or on the hillside with the students.  Sundays are a day off, and provide a chance for independent exploration and a break.  At the end of each program there is a small “graduation” ceremony. 
 Click here for the program’s full daily schedule. We expect to run the first course in November 2009.

Thangka master
Lobsang Khedup
Senior Thangka Master
Born in Dongwan village near Zhongdian, Lobsang Khedup from a young age discovered a talent for painting and the desire to become a monk.  At the tender age of seven Khedup began to study under his first master, Jampa Yinian, in his village.  After seven years, when Khedup was fourteen, his master ascended to the mountains to engage in deep meditation.  And after two years without a master, Khedup traveled to Southern India to a Buddhist Monastery to resume study.  There he practiced Thangka, oil painting, Chinese-style painting, and Kangra painting, an Indian style, in addition to Buddhism.  He studied under the master Sangye Yeshi, who had lived in Northen India.
In 2006 Khedup decided to return to his beloved hometown and pass on his knowledge.  Many business people approached Khedup to exploit his talents for commercial purpose.  Wary of such deals master Khedup avoided businesses and allied himself with Dakpa Kelden, founder of the Association in order to better help the community and Tibetan culture preservation of the Shangri-La (Gyalthang）region.  Master Khedup now lives and works at the Thangka Center.

Thangka Academy Program
Meditation with master and local students 8-8:30 AM
Breakfast 8:30-9:00
Thangka painting 9:00-12:00 AM and 3:00-5:00 PM
Lunch 12-1
Break 1-2
Private Study or English Corner 2-3
Tibetan Culture 5-6
Dinner 6-7
7-9 Buddhist study or Tibetan dancing at old town
Room and board are provided in the cost of the program.  The newly constructed hostel is next door to the Thangka center in old town Shangri-La.  It features:
Traditional Tibetan architecture
Twin room or three bed suite available
Hot shower and bathroom en suite
Internet access (5 Y/ hour)
Complimentary hot water or green tea
Bike rental (extra)
Clean environment
Also included in the program are meals with the students at the Thangka center.  The menu includes:
Breakfast: Rice porridge, eggs, fruit, honey, cheese, and butter tea or green tea.
Lunch and Dinner: Potatoes, noodles, dumplings, fried rice, vegetables, Tibetan bread, pickles, mushrooms, pork, ham, yak beef, local chicken, barley, buckwheat, soup.

Rules for Students
Respect local culture in both speech and deeds
Dress code – appropriately modest (i.e. shorts not too short, shirts not too low-cut, appropriate slogans or pictures on clothing etc.)
No alcohol or drugs
No prejudice, respect the culture deference
No KTV/disco with locals
  Maximum Capacity = 13 students
Total Cost For Above: 180 Yuan/Day All inclusive.  Total 1800 ¥
Additionally you may choose to participate in a rural homestay at nearby Trinyi Village .

Thangka Academy Homestay 
Rural Homestay
Additionally you may choose to participate in a rural homestay at nearby Trinyi Village, located only five kilometers south of Shangri-La.  Staying in this small village of only 240 residents will provide a peek into the real life of Tibetans living the rural life in China.  Participants live in the villagers’ homes and experience their daily life as it happens in daily life. These three days are not included in the Thangka Academy program.

Combination of Thanka training and home stays
Schedule – 3 day Homestay in village
Agricultural and semi-nomadic lifestyle
Work with families in one of a variety of jobs: Herding cattle, Farming, Picking mushrooms, Tending to livestock
7 AM wakeup
Daily schedule and work depends on the family
Meals:
7:30 Breakfast
11AM Lunch
Dinner 3:30 PM
Supper 8 PM
Similar menu as course minus fruit, which is unavailable in the more remote village.
Rooms are very traditional
No private toilet or hot shower
Animals live on the first storey people live on the second storey
Rules are the same as the course
But don’t go near the dogs.
Cost of Homestay: 80 Y/day 240 Y total

www.thangkaacademy.com