Who We Are

Tarpa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to providing secular education about Buddhist traditions as part of the broader study of human knowledge. We do not promote religion or require belief. Instead, we offer courses and retreats that anyone can join, regardless of background or prior experience.

What We Mean by Secular

The contemplative methods we use are drawn from Buddhist traditions, but they are presented as educational exercises and thought-experiments, not religious prayers or rituals. Students explore practices such as concentration, self-reflection, and compassion in the same way a university course might study philosophy or psychology: as methods of inquiry into human experience.

Each participant is free to interpret these methods through their own lens — as philosophy, psychology, or simply practical skills. Questions of personal belief are left entirely to the individual.

Why It Matters

This approach ensures that Tarpa’s programs are open and accessible to everyone. By teaching contemplative methods in a secular educational context, we give students the opportunity to develop habits of focus, reflection, and compassion that can be carried into daily life, relationships, workplaces, and communities.

Our aim is not only to support personal growth but also to strengthen civic life. The attitudes and skills students develop during study and retreat naturally contribute to a more compassionate and engaged society.

Respect for Buddhist Traditions

While Tarpa takes a secular, scientifically grounded approach to contemplative education, we maintain deep gratitude and respect for Buddhist teachings and traditions. We do not attempt to refute, diminish, or deny religious beliefs about karma, rebirth, or other metaphysical aspects of Buddhism. Our secular methodology simply means we present these concepts as cultural and philosophical frameworks to be understood and evaluated rather than beliefs to be adopted. Students from traditional Buddhist backgrounds are welcome to maintain their religious convictions while benefiting from our educational approach.

How This Looks in Practice

• Online courses are structured as continuing education, with modules that combine study, reflection, and optional assignments.

• Cabins serve as educational laboratories, where students spend 10–120 days in immersive retreats guided by Tarpa instructors.

• Guidance is always educational — no membership, vows, or religious affiliation are required.

• Compassion practices and service are part of the retreat curriculum, encouraging students to connect what they learn with contributions to the wider community.

• Teaching About Buddhism, Not Promoting It: Tarpa's courses examine Buddhist philosophical arguments, psychological theories, and contemplative methods as subjects of academic study—similar to how universities teach Christian ethics or Islamic philosophy without promoting those religions. Students analyze concepts, test hypotheses through experience, and reach their own conclusions based on evidence rather than accepting doctrines on faith.

• Evidence-Based Methodology: Our approach integrates findings from neuroscience, psychology, and contemplative science. We treat meditation as experimental methodology—systematic investigation of consciousness under controlled conditions where students observe, document, and analyze results with empirical precision, similar to laboratory research in cognitive science.

An Invitation to Learn With Us

Tarpa’s secular approach allows us to teach about Buddhist traditions in ways that benefit both individuals and society. By combining study, reflection, and retreat, our programs help students cultivate focus, compassion, and social responsibility. We invite you to explore our Mission, Curriculum, and Cabins pages to see how this approach comes to life.

Open to All Perspectives

Importantly, students do not need to espouse any particular ideology—including secular humanism—to benefit from Tarpa's educational resources. Our approach is methodologically secular, meaning we use evidence-based inquiry and remain open to diverse perspectives, but we do not require students to adopt any specific worldview or philosophical stance.