Postgraduate Program in Contemplative Studies
Two-year first-level Postgraduate Program: “Contemplative Studies: Meditation from Ancient Traditions to the Contemporary Age”, University of Padova.
Born out of the collaboration between the University of Padova (FISPPA Department) and the Research Center, this Program is an unprecedented innovation in academia. It introduces, for the first time in Europe, the study and practice of Contemplative Studies within a university setting: a completely interdisciplinary and intercultural journey dedicated to the field of meditation, intertwining age-old traditions with cutting-edge research.
The two-year program includes over 200 hours of guided meditation practice using both traditional and modern approaches, a faculty consisting of leading international experts in the field, retreat experiences at monasteries in Italy, debate sessions, interactive teaching, and much more.
The program is designed to be a comprehensive training on the various aspects of meditation and is aimed at promoting integration with various sectors of society, such as education, healthcare, work and personal growth.
Enrollment
The fourth cohort will begin in the fall of 2025. Pre-enrollment is open and will close on October 7, 2025. A limited number of scholarships are available thanks to the support of the Italian Buddhist Union Research Center.
For further information: master.contemplativestudies@unipd.it
Uno sguardo al piano di studi
Questo video racconta il percorso formativo del Master attraverso le voci di alcuni dei suoi protagonisti: i docenti che hanno reso possibile questo intreccio inedito di professionalità, esperienze e discipline.
Le videointerviste agli insegnanti del Master
I seguenti video presentano alcuni aspetti e temi del percorso formativo del Master, nonché specifici training meditativi in esso inclusi.
Marcello Ghilardi
Professor of Aesthetics at the University of Padua.
B. Alan Wallace
Pioneer of contemplative sciences and dialogue between Buddhism and science.
Valentina Dolara
Teacher, trainer and host of the meditative training “Cultivating Emotional Balance”, as well as co-founder of Mind of Joy Consulting.
Gonzalo Brito Pons
Clinical psychologist and Senior Instructor of the Compassion Cultivation Training program
Giangiorgio Pasqualotto
Professor of Dynamic Psychology at the University of Padua.
Arianna Palmieri
Professoressa di Psicologia Dinamica presso l’Università di Padova.
Carlo Tetsugen Serra
Zen Master and Abbot of five monasteries.
Emanuela Magno
Professor of History of Buddhist Philosophy at the University of Padua.
Geshe Tenzin Tenphel
Lama residing at the Lama Tsongkhapa Institute.
