Frequently Asked Questions
About Tarpa's Mission
Is Tarpa a religious organization?
No. Tarpa is a secular educational nonprofit (501(c)(3)) that teaches about Buddhist philosophical and contemplative traditions as part of the broader study of human knowledge. We examine these traditions academically—analyzing arguments, testing methods, and evaluating outcomes based on evidence—rather than promoting religious beliefs or requiring religious commitment. Our approach is similar to how universities teach Christian ethics or Islamic philosophy without promoting those religions.
What makes this education rather than religious practice?
Several key distinctions define our educational approach:
Students investigate questions through systematic inquiry rather than accepting doctrines on faith
We teach analytical and contemplative methods as tools for understanding consciousness, not as religious rituals
Instructors guide through Socratic questioning rather than providing spiritual authority
Students reach their own conclusions based on evidence and experience
No religious beliefs, vows, or affiliations are required
Methods are presented as thought-experiments and educational exercises
Do I need to be Buddhist or believe in Buddhism to participate?
No. Tarpa's programs are open to anyone regardless of religious background or belief. Students approach contemplative methods through whatever lens makes sense to them—philosophy, psychology, or practical life skills. Questions of personal belief are left entirely to the individual. We welcome students from all backgrounds, including those with traditional Buddhist beliefs, those from other religious traditions, and those with no religious affiliation.
How is Tarpa different from a Buddhist temple or meditation center?
Buddhist temples and meditation centers typically:
Promote Buddhist religious beliefs and practices
Conduct religious ceremonies, rituals, and prayers
Require or encourage religious commitment
Function as religious communities (sanghas)
Present teachings as spiritual truths to be accepted
Tarpa instead:
Teaches about Buddhist traditions as academic subjects
Uses contemplative methods as educational tools
Requires no religious beliefs or commitments
Functions as an educational institution
Presents ideas as hypotheses to be tested and evaluated
About Access and Participation
Who can use the retreat cabins?
The cabins are available for public use by anyone interested in contemplative education, without restriction based on background, belief, experience, or financial circumstances. Whether you're new to meditation or have decades of experience, whether you hold religious beliefs or none at all, you're welcome to apply for a retreat.
Are there prerequisites for retreat?
No formal prerequisites exist. However, we provide educational guidance about appropriate retreat lengths based on individual circumstances. Students new to intensive practice typically begin with shorter retreats (10-30 days), while experienced practitioners may pursue longer ones (up to 120 days). These are recommendations for effective learning, not requirements for access.
How much does it cost?
Retreats are accessible to all members of the public regardless of financial circumstances. There is no tuition or fee. Donations are welcome to cover maintenance and operational costs, but inability to donate does not affect access to our educational programs.
Do I need to commit to a specific belief system or philosophy?
No. Students do not need to espouse any particular ideology—including secular humanism or Buddhism—to benefit from Tarpa's educational resources. Our approach is methodologically secular, meaning we use evidence-based inquiry and remain open to diverse perspectives.
About Retreat Education
What happens during a retreat?
Retreats involve comprehensive immersive education in mindful living. Students follow a structured daily schedule including:
Guided meditation practice
Self-study using assigned educational materials
Regular individual meetings with instructors
Walking meditation and contemplative exercises
One hour daily of community service
Contemplative reading and reflection
The entire day becomes an educational laboratory for developing mindfulness and compassion.
What kind of instruction do I receive?
Instructors provide systematic, progressive guidance tailored to your development. This includes:
Assigning specific contemplative "experiments" to conduct
Regular one-on-one meetings (2-3 times weekly)
Socratic questioning to guide your investigation
Readings to integrate experiential discoveries
Coaching through psychological and emotional challenges
Advice on integrating insights into daily life
Instruction is educational rather than spiritual—helping you investigate consciousness systematically rather than providing religious authority or validation of spiritual experiences.
How long should my retreat be?
Retreat length varies based on your background, goals, and circumstances. Typical ranges:
First-time retreatants: 10-30 days
Experienced practitioners: 30-90 days
Advanced students: up to 120 days
Instructors work with you to determine an appropriate length that supports effective learning while maintaining wellbeing.
Can I leave early if needed?
Yes. While we encourage completing planned retreat lengths for educational benefit, you're free to adjust your schedule if circumstances require. The retreat is an educational experience, not a commitment you're bound to complete.
What if I have mental health concerns?
We carefully assess whether intensive retreat is appropriate for each student's circumstances. Those with certain mental health conditions may be better served by starting with online courses and shorter, less intensive practice sessions. We prioritize student wellbeing and work with each person to find the most beneficial educational approach for their situation.
About the Curriculum
Do I have to start at the beginning?
No. Students with existing backgrounds in mindfulness, meditation, or Buddhist studies can enter programs at appropriate levels. Experienced practitioners can proceed directly to advanced retreat training with individualized instruction tailored to their current understanding.
Can I take courses without doing retreat?
Yes. Many students engage only with study and never pursue retreat. Others do occasional short retreats. The curriculum is designed to serve students at all levels of interest and commitment.
What if I prefer to learn theory before practice, or vice versa?
We recognize both learning styles. Theory-first learners benefit from taking courses before intensive retreat. Practice-first learners may begin with retreat and pursue theoretical study later. Both pathways remain available as you develop.
About Community Service
Why is community service part of the curriculum?
Service is integral to contemplative education because mindfulness and compassion must be practiced in real-world contexts, not just during meditation. The daily service hour helps students:
Apply what they're learning to concrete situations
Develop habits of compassionate engagement
Experience the natural joy of serving others
Connect contemplative insights with social responsibility
What kind of service do students do?
Students choose their own service projects based on their skills and interests. This might include:
Online volunteer work (tutoring, crisis support, administrative help)
Local community projects
Professional skill-sharing
Creative contributions to nonprofits
Environmental stewardship
The emphasis is on finding meaningful ways to contribute that align with each student's circumstances and capacities.
About Instructor Qualifications
Who provides instruction at Tarpa?
Dr. Greg Seton, who holds a doctorate from Oxford University in Buddhist Studies and is a Senior Lecturer at Dartmouth College. See our Instructor Qualifications page for detailed information about academic credentials and teaching experience.
Are instructors religious teachers or academic educators?
Instructors are academic educators who teach about Buddhist traditions using scholarly methodologies, not religious teachers providing spiritual guidance. The same educational approach used in university courses applies to Tarpa's programs.
Practical Questions
Where are the cabins located?
The retreat cabins are located at 317 North Road, Vershire, Vermont, on the same property where the instructor resides, ensuring ready access for educational guidance and support.
What amenities are provided?
Each cabin includes a full kitchen, dining area, bathroom with shower, bedroom, practice space with study materials, and internet connectivity. See our Cabins page for complete details.
Can I have visitors during retreat?
No. Retreat is an immersive educational experience requiring solitude for effective learning. You'll have regular contact with your instructor but otherwise maintain silence and solitude, unless you choose to do community service locally where you may encounter others with “functional speech” for that time period.
What about accessibility needs or dietary restrictions?
The cabins are accessible by car. We work with students to accommodate accessibility needs where possible. Discuss your specific situation when applying for retreat. Students arrange for food delivery and cook for themselves.
How do I apply for a retreat?
Use our schedule request form to submit your application. We'll respond to discuss your background, goals, and appropriate retreat length.
Still Have Questions?
Contact us at [contact information] or visit our other pages:
Tarpa’s courses are taught by
Greg Seton
Dr. Gregory Seton is a professor at Dartmouth College, where he has taught courses on Indian and Tibetan Buddhism cross-listed in the departments of Religion, Philosophy, and Asian Societies Cultures & Languages (ASCL). Before coming to Dartmouth in 2016, he was a visiting professor of Buddhist Studies at Mahidol University in Thailand 2014–16, and a DAAD research fellow at the University of Hamburg, Germany 2011–2013.
In his academic studies, Greg received his DPhil in Buddhist Studies from the University of Oxford in 2016, supervised by Harunaga Isaacson, Vesna Wallace, and Alexis Sanderson. He received an MA in Indo-Tibetan Buddhist studies from Naropa University in 2004 and an MA in Religious Studies from University of California Santa Barbara in 2008. He received an MFA equivalent from the American Film Institute in 1992 and a BA in Film Studies from Wesleyan University in 1990. He also studied Western Philosophy at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
In his traditional studies, Greg has been a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhist meditation for thirty-five years and has received extensive training in the philosophical texts and meditative practices of Nyingma and Karma Kagyu Lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. In his academic and nonprofit teaching, he brings personal experience together with his extensive knowledge of history, philosophy, philology, and language to explain the traditional Buddhist teachings in contemporary secular terms.