Students in the Dharma Training Program should become familiar with key concepts in Buddhism. At the end of the three-year program, students should be able to explain these clearly and effectively to someone who is not familiar with Buddhism. Students should periodically assess their progress in understanding as an aid to identifying the areas in which additional study or practice is needed. The list of concepts also serves as a resource to students preparing for class presentations.

In order to acquire a well-rounded knowledge of Buddhism and Buddhist practice, students will learn about the history of Buddhism, important key figures in the development and propogation of Buddhism, and the fundamental scriptures.

The class is not only a place to learn facts, it is also a forum for engaging in important practices such as deep listening and mindful speech. These practices help to create a harmonious and wholesome atmosphere in which the Dharma can be shared, studied, and practiced.

There is a tremendous variety of spiritual practices in the Buddhist tradition. Students will become familiar with these practices in class, on days of mindfulness, on retreats, and through their own investigation. Understanding the range of practices helps to build our appreciation for the various forms of Buddhism practiced around the world.

Many people come to Buddhist practice for the purpose of achieving self-transformation. One way to assess one's progress in study and practice is to assess how these activities are contributing to our personal transformation. These benchmarks, while not truly measurable, can provide helpful information to guide our practice.

Occasionally, there are resources available in the form of articles or Dharma talks on specific books in the DTC curriculum. These can help deepen our understanding of the books and texts and should be considered adjuncts to our own reading and class presentations and discussions.