Community Education & Admissions
Explore Lifelong Learning at UWest
UWest offers community education programs designed for individuals seeking personal growth, professional development, and deeper engagement with mindfulness, leadership, and holistic learning. Open to all, these programs provide meaningful opportunities to expand knowledge and connect with a like-minded community.
Community Education Programs
Our non-degree and continuing education courses include:
- Mindfulness & Meditation
Practical techniques for self-awareness, stress resilience, and emotional intelligence - Buddhist Studies
Explore Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and practice in everyday life. - Ethical Leadership & Social Impact
Develop skills to lead with purpose and integrity - Personal Growth & Holistic Well-Being
Engage in workshops designed to support transformation and self-discovery.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal practice, enhance your professional skills, or simply learn something new, our programs provide flexible and engaging learning experiences for the community.
Current Accepting Registrations
Basic Meditation Course
8-Week Course: September 13 to November 8, 2025
CE-MED822A
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
An 8-week in-person course, for students who would like to learn about basic meditation as a path to self-discovery and transformation.
Date: 8 Week course: From Sep 13 to Nov 8, 2025
Time: Sunday Afternoons | 4-6pm
Location: Sri Ratana International Buddhist Center
2780 W Lincoln Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
Course will be taught in Vietnamese and for students aged 18 years or older.
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/uwest1409/BasicMeditationSept2025
Compassion Meditation Course
Mettā Attāya: Turning Hatred into Love
7-Week Course: October 5 – November 16, 2025
Schedule:
– Sunday: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Instructors:
– Master Thích Viên Lý, PhD
– Most Venerable Thích Viên Huy, MA
– Bilingual classes (English and Vietnamese)
– Open to all ages and unlimited number of participants
– Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate from the University of the West
Contact:
– Email: Chuadieuphaptvl@gmail.com or Thayvienly@gmail.com
– Cell: (626) 800-9081 | Tel: (626) 614-0566
– Address: Diệu Pháp Temple, 311 E Mission Rd., San Gabriel, CA 91776
INTERNATIONAL BUDDHISTS CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANIZATION
CHÙA DIỆU PHÁP
311 E. Mission Rd., CA 91776 USA
Cell: (626) 800-9081 | Tel: (626) 614-0566 | Email: thayvienly@gmail.com
University of the West Office of Extended Studies, in collaboration with Dipkar Vajrayana Institute and the Religious Studies Department, presents:
Comprehensive Meditation and Mind Training
Monday, January 20, to Sunday, May 17, 2026 (16 Weeks)
This program aims to provide students with a deep understanding of core texts that support the skills needed to effectively transmit the wisdom and compassion associated with mind training, led by His Eminence Khangser Rinpoche, a highly respected teacher.
The program will be delivered online, providing students with the opportunity to study under a distinguished master teacher from anywhere in the United States and Canada.
Dates: Monday, January 20, to Sunday, May 17, 2026 (16 Weeks)
Instructor: H.E. Khangser Rinpoche
Modality: Online
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/uwest1409/EICMediationMindTraining
Any questions, please visit https://us.dipkar.com/ or email us@dipkar.com
Past Offerings
Basic Meditation | Sept 13 - Nov 8
CE-MED822A
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
An 8-week in-person course, for students who would like to learn about basic meditation as a path to self-discovery and transformation.
Date: 8 Week course: From Sep 13 to Nov 8, 2025
Time: Sunday Afternoons | 4-6pm
Location: Sri Ratana International Buddhist Center
2780 W Lincoln Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
Course will be taught in Vietnamese and for students aged 18 years or older.
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/uwest1409/BasicMeditationSept2025
Topics in Buddhist Studies: The Construction & Dissemination of the Buddhist Canonical Texts
CE-RS8641
Instructor: Dr. Lewis Lancaster
This online course will be a study of the construction of the Buddhist textual canon. Starting with manuscripts written on natural surfaces such as palm leaf and birch bark until the arrival in China and the use of industrial produced paper.
August 29 – December 12, 2025
Every Friday, 7:00pm-9:00pm (Pacific/Los Angeles)
Location: Online/remote
Cost: $350 (USD)
Intermediate Meditation Class: August 3 to Oct 5 (9 week course)
Intermediate Meditation Class: August 3 to Oct 5 (9 week course)
Time: Sunday afternoons from 5:30PM to 8:00PM
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/
Location: Sri Ratana International Buddhist Center
2780 W Lincoln Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
https://thientrilieuuwest.education/
Advance Meditation Class: Aug 3rd–Nov 2nd (13 week course)
Advance Meditation Class: August 3rd to Nov 2nd (13 week course)
Time: Sunday afternoons from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/uwest1409/MeditationAdvancedAug2025
Location: Sri Ratana International Buddhist Center
2780 W Lincoln Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
https://thientrilieuuwest.education/
Integrating Buddhist Teaching with Psychotherapy & Wellness 佛教義理應用於心理治療與促進身心健康
CE-PSY600
Integrating Buddhist Teaching with Psychotherapy and Wellness
佛教義理應用於心理治療與促進身心健康
Instructors:
Dr. Joanne Kwoh-Maysami
Dr. William Chu
Venerable AnZhen
Venerable Tsung Tuan
Dates: Fridays – September 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
Times: 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM (Pacific/Los Angeles)
Tuition Fee: $250
100%/fully online workshop
Course will be taught mostly in Chinese.
Meditation Class (Basic Level)
CE-MED822A
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
An 8-week in-person course, for students who would like to learn about basic meditation as a path to self-discovery and transformation.
Sundays 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Location: Hybrid – Online & In-person at Zen Center of Los Angeles
August 7, 2024-January 11, 2025
Topics in Buddhist Studies: Buddhist Studies & Artificial Intelligence
CE-8641-1
Instructor: Dr. Lewis Lancaster
Provides hands-on training in artificial intelligence (AI) that involves the construction of Bots on three projects: (1) Buddhist bibliography; (2) Chinese-English Buddhist Dictionary; (3) personal research datasets. Working Bots, students will learn how to make use of AI for summaries, structure, and analysis of their own material.
Fridays 6:30pm-9:20pm
Location: Online/remote
August 22-December 16, 2024
Women in Buddhism: Exploring the Sacred Feminine
Women’s Leadership in Buddhism
CE-RS8505
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Jitsujo Gauthier
To gather a group of 5 leaders, 7 facilitators, and 28+ practitioners from a variety of traditions and cultural backgrounds to empower each other and create connections that ripple outward and inward for years to come.
Various days/times
Location: Hybrid – Online & In-person at Zen Center of Los Angeles
August 7, 2024-January 11, 2025
Intermediate Meditation Class
Saturdays, November 23, 2024 to February 15, 2025
2:30pm to 5:00pm
Location: Dao Trang Kieu Dam Di: 9057 La Crescenta Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Email: thienthucnghiemchanhniem@gmail.com
Tel: 626-866-1653
Notice:
*This course is EXCLUSIVELY for students who have completed the Basic Class and have received their certificates from Dr. Minh Hoa Ta.
Advanced Meditation Class
Saturdays, November 23, 2024 to April 26, 2025
5:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Dao Trang Kieu Dam Di: 9057 La Crescenta Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Email: thienthucnghiemchanhniem@gmail.com
Tel: 626-866-1653
Notice:
*This course is EXCLUSIVELY for students who have completed the Intermediate Class and have received their certificates from Dr. Minh Hoa Ta.
Mindfulness Therapy: Self-Discovery & Transformation
CE-MED822A
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
Mindfulness Therapy is an 8-week in-person course, for students who would like to learn about basic meditation as a path to self-discovery and transformation.
Saturdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Dao Trang Kieu Dam Di: 9057 La Crescenta Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
July 13 – September 14, 2024
Meditative Practices
CE-MED826
Meditative Practices
Instructor: Dr. Joanne Kwoh-Maysami
Wednesdays 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location: University of the West – Ken Locke Hall
August 26 – October 3, 2024
Autumn Meditation Retreat
CE-MED823
Instructor: Ven. Thich Thien Tri
Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2, 2024
Location: Mindfulness Meditation Center, 1023 N Glendora Ave, Covina, CA 91724
Weekend conducted in English and Vietnamese.
For more information about these courses, please email: thienthucnghiemchanhniem@gmail.com