No prior knowledge of Sanskrit or classical languages is required to enroll. Knowing Devanāgarī (the script used to write Sanskrit) isn’t required either, as it will be introduced during the first half of the semester.

While some background knowledge of South Asian culture and thought is certainly helpful, it is not assumed. Any relevant cultural context is provided either in the textbook’s appendices, during classroom presentations, or in the supplementary material provided each week.

The only key factors for getting the most out of the course are regular attendance of the live classes and time for self-study (svādhyāya). On average, students should plan to spend at least four hours per week outside of live classes to review past material, preview upcoming lessons, and complete exercises.

Recordings of the live classes, available shortly after each session, are primarily intended for students to review the material and ensure that those who couldn’t attend that class don’t miss anything. It is our hope that students take part in the live sessions as much as possible. Doing so not only enhances your own learning through active participation in classroom exercises but also supports your fellow students by fostering a sense of community and shared commitment to learning.

However, we understand that the course schedule may not work for everyone. If you anticipate missing a large number or all of the live sessions during the semester, please let us know when you enrol.

Recordings of the classes will be available for the duration of the course (four months), plus an additional two months to allow students to review the material during the summer or winter breaks. If students wish to access the videos beyond that period, they are welcome to reach out to us.

Yes! We take a 5-minute break about halfway through each session, around the 45-minute mark. It’s essential to take a short break to relax and help us stay focused throughout the session. During this break, the teacher will share recordings of Sanskrit chanting, mantra-s, or classical Indian music. The content of this musical interlude will usually be discussed in the supplementary material provided for that week.

Absolutely! Each class has its own group chat where students can ask the teacher questions between sessions, share insights, and connect with their classmates. This allows for continuous engagement and support outside of class hours. The group chat remains open for about two months after the class ends to help students as they review material before the following cycle.

While our textbook focuses mainly on the Buddhist tradition as an initial entry point into Sanskrit literature, by no means are our courses directed solely to students with a Buddhist background. Even among our students enrolled in the Chinese-language Śabda·vidyā Sanskrit Studio courses, who come from a traditionally Buddhist culture, a significant number are drawn to the course due to their interest in yoga and Hinduism.

In the textbook itself, many of the readings—drawn from a range of sources, including a significant number of non-Buddhist texts—were deliberately chosen to highlight some of the common outlooks or concepts shared between all South Asian traditions, rather than cater to narrow sectarian interests.

From the design of the textbook to the supplementary materials and classroom presentations, our approach is intended to broaden the beginner student’s understanding of what Sanskrit literature has to offer, highlighting its diversity beyond the confines of a single tradition.

Want to learn about one of the inspirations behind this ethos? Check out our Facebook post Aśoka’s Edicts: Religious Pluralism in Ancient India.

The course follows the instructor’s own textbook, Reading Sansksrit: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Introduction with Texts from the Buddhist Tradition (Columbia University Press, scheduled to release in November 2025). Students are responsible for obtaining their own copy. If the textbook is unavailable in their region, students are welcome to contact the instructor, who will do his best to help them obtain a copy.

To support full-time spiritual practitioners, we offer a 30% discount on all tuition fees for students belonging to one of the South Asian renunciant (celibate) traditions (such as Buddhist monastics, including novices, or Hindu sannyāsis) or their equivalents from other spiritual paths. If you wish to benefit from this discount, please make sure to mention your status when enrolling one of our classes for the first time.

If resources permit, we hope to expand this and other scholarship opportunities in the future.

Yes, students can receive a PDF certificate of completion upon successfully finishing the course. Successfully completing this course also contributes toward fulfilling the requirements of the Śabda·vidyā Sanskrit Certificate Program.

Feel free to reach out at info@sanskritstudio.com—we’re happy to help!