Abstract

This study examines how spiritual identity is formed and transmitted through ritual-based learning within Tibetan Buddhist communities, with a specific focus on the Nyingma tradition. Drawing on qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with monastic and lay practitioners, the research explores how communal rituals—particularly Dharma assemblies—serve as informal educational spaces where participants engage in embodied practices, symbolic communication, and collective memory. Central to the study is the role of Dzogchen meditation and teacher-disciple interactions in facilitating spiritual transformation and reinforcing group identity. The findings reveal that these rituals foster a shared spiritual consciousness, cultivate a sense of belonging, and function as dynamic sites of cultural learning and identity formation. By framing these religious gatherings as educational processes, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how spiritual communities sustain cohesion, transmit cultural values, and support lifelong learning beyond formal institutional settings.

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