Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion Based Ethics at Emory University

What Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion Based Ethics at Emory University does

The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics (CCSCBE) is a non-profit research and education unit of Emory University, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded through the university's 1998 collaboration with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The center develops and disseminates evidence-based contemplative training programs, anchored by three core offerings: CBCT® (Cognitively-Based Compassion Training), a proprietary system of contemplative exercises developed in 2004 and validated through studies on biomarkers of stress and inflammation, facial-expression interpretation, and brain activity associated with empathic reasoning; SEE Learning® (Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning), a K-12 curriculum positioned for international adoption; and the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI), which delivers modern science education to Tibetan Buddhist monastic universities. Supporting products include the free online Guided Journey to Compassion, CBCT Teacher Certification, retreats, university-level seminars, and the book 'Engaged Compassion' published via Simon & Schuster.

The center operates a hybrid revenue model combining educational program and certification revenue (CBCT courses, retreats, teacher certification, book sales) with philanthropic donations, explicitly stated on the website as essential to long-term sustainability. It is led by Executive Director Lobsang Tenzin Negi, Ph.D., and reaches customers across four primary segments: academic and university institutions (research collaborations, seminars), K-12 institutions (SEE Learning licensing), Tibetan monastic universities (ETSI), and individual practitioners (free Guided Journey and certification pathways). Distribution mixes direct enterprise engagement for ETSI and SEE Learning with self-serve online access for the Guided Journey to Compassion. In 2025, the center received the Humanitarian Award from Charter for Compassion International, jointly recognizing Dr. Negi alongside Karen Armstrong.

Name

Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion Based Ethics at Emory University

Legal name

Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory University

Website

https://compassion.emory.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics (CCSCBE) is an Emory University research and education unit that develops and delivers evidence-based contemplative training programs — including CBCT®, SEE Learning®, and the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative — to universities, K-12 schools, Tibetan monastic institutions, and individual practitioners globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemplative Education and Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Contemplative education
• Compassion training
• Mindfulness programs
• Ethics curriculum
• Well-being education

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational Programs and Training: The center generates revenue through CBCT compassion training courses, certification programs, and educational offerings. As an Emory University center, it operates within the university's academic funding structure.
2. Donations and Philanthropic Support: The center depends on donor generosity for long-term sustainability of all projects, as explicitly stated on their website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics (CCSCBE) is an academic center within Emory University that develops and disseminates compassion-based and contemplative science curricula. It offers educational programs such as Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT), SEE Learning (Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning), the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, teacher certification, guided journeys, and retreats for individuals, educators, and partner institutions.

Product overview

The Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics (CCSCBE) at Emory University offers a portfolio of educational programs focused on compassion science and contemplative training. The core offerings include CBCT® (Cognitively-Based Compassion Training), a research-based contemplative exercise system; SEE Learning®, a K-12 social-emotional-ethical education program; and the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, providing science education for Tibetan monastic universities. Supporting programs include the free online Guided Journey to Compassion, CBCT Teacher Certification, CBCT® Retreats, University Programs, and the Compassion Shift initiative. The portfolio spans K-12 education, university-level training, monastic education, online self-paced learning, and professional certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CBCT® (Cognitively-Based Compassion Training): A system of contemplative exercises designed to strengthen and sustain compassion, developed at Emory University since 2004.
• SEE Learning® (Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning)
• Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI)

Products and services

• Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT)
• SEE Learning (Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning)
• Emory-Tibet Science Initiative
• CBCT Teacher Certification
• Guided Journey to Compassion

Quantifiable outcome

• Positive impact on blood-based biomarkers of stress and inflammation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Charter for Compassion InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe center received the 2025 Humanitarian Award from Charter for Compassion International, recognizing the collaborative humanitarian work of Geshe-la and Karen Armstrong. The partnership serves to amplify compassion-based ethics initiatives globally.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE): Stanford-based research center studying compassion and altruism through scientific methods, with direct Dalai Lama ties. Operates compassion training programs and shares CCSCBE's exact academic-contemplative-science niche.
• Mind & Life Institute: Nonprofit founded with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to bridge contemplative traditions and modern science. Directly comparable mission, multi-decade research portfolio, and global convening function parallel to CCSCBE's ETSI work.
• Greater Good Science Center (UC Berkeley): UC Berkeley center translating research on happiness, empathy, and compassion into educational resources for the public, educators, and parents. Directly comparable as a university-anchored science-of-compassion educational platform.
• UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC): UCLA research center offering mindfulness training programs and conducting research on contemplative practices. Comparable as a university-based center providing both research and public-facing compassion/mindfulness education.
• Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute: Nonprofit born from Google offering evidence-based mindfulness and emotional intelligence training for workplace leaders. Directly comparable as a structured compassion/mindfulness curriculum with certification pathways and corporate distribution.
• Center for Healthy Minds (University of Wisconsin-Madison): UW-Madison research center investigating the science of well-being, including contemplative practices and compassion training, with strong neuroimaging and biomarker research base. Direct academic peer in contemplative neuroscience.
• Mindful Schools: Nonprofit providing mindfulness and SEL curriculum and teacher training for K-12 educators. Directly comparable as a K-12 SEL curriculum provider competing for the same school district and teacher-training market as SEE Learning.
• Wake Forest Center for Mindfulness: Academic center offering Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training, teacher certification, and research, including clinical populations. Comparable as a university-based center operating MBSR-style programs with certification and research arms.

Broad incumbents

• CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning): The dominant standards-setting and advocacy organization for SEL in K-12 education, defining the framework most U.S. districts follow. Comparable as a K-12 SEL ecosystem player; SEE Learning must align with CASEL competencies to compete in the same procurement cycles.

Emerging players

• Charter for Compassion International: Global nonprofit movement founded on Karen Armstrong's Charter for Compassion, focused on compassion-based ethics advocacy. Comparable mission space and partner relationship (CCSCBE received their 2025 Humanitarian Award), but operates as a movement/platform rather than a curriculum provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/emorycompassion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-contemplative-science-and-compassion-based-ethics-at-emory-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/emorycompassioncenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion Based Ethics at Emory University