10-Year Anniversary

On Sunday, December 9, 2007, Rangjung Yeshe Institute will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of offering long-term teaching programs in Buddhist Studies for international students.

In the day, the annual symposium on Buddhist Studies will be held, this year on the topic "Buddhist Education: Tradition and Modernity." Speakers at the symposium include Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Dr. Tom Tillemans, Dr. John Makransky, and Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche.

In the evening, all friends and students are invited to a grand dinner with lots of good food, fun, and entertainment. The celebrations will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Boudhanath, Kathmandu.

Vesak Day at the United Nations

At the recent United Nations' conference and celebration of Vesak Day in Bangkok, Thailand, Rangjung Yeshe Institute participated at the official invitation of the Vesak Day organizers.

During the conference RYI participated in forming the International Association of Buddhist Universities, a world-wide network of universities and colleges focusing on in-depth study of Buddhist thought and practice.

Maitreya’s Madhyantavibhaga in English

The English translation of Maitreya’s Madhyantavibhaga, which will be taught at RYI in the fall 2007 is now in print.

Middle Beyond Extremes: Maitreya’s Madhyantavibhaga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham.


"Middle Beyond Extremes" contains a translation of the Buddhist masterpiece Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes. This famed text, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Madhyantavibhaga, was taught by Maitreya, the Buddha’s regent, to the master Asanga in the
heavenly realm of Tushita. Maitreya’s teaching is here presented alongside commentaries by two outstanding masters of Tibet’s non-sectarian Rimé movement, Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham. The book was produced under the directions of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche and translated by the Dharmachakra Translation Committee.

For more information, visit: www.snowlionpub.com

To download the Tibetan texts, go to: www.dharmachakra.net

Text classes 2007-2008

The text classes for the coming academic year, 2007-2008, have now been announced. In the fall, 2007, the philosophy classes will cover "The Way of a Bodhisattva" (BodhisattvachAryAvatAra) by Shantideva and "Distinguishing the Middle from the Extremes" (MadhyAntavibhaga) by Maitreya.

In the spring, 2008, these courses will continue and, in addition, Maitreya's "Distinguishing Phenomena from Reality" (dharmadharmatAvibhaga) will be taught.

To register, visit Rangjung Yeshe Institute

Summer Courses 2007

Rangjung Yeshe Institute is pleased to announce a summer of intensive language training and Buddhist Studies for international students.

Our 2007 language programs provide full immersion into Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Nepali languages including the opportunity to live with local Tibetan and Nepali families. Our Buddhist Studies program provides an opportunity to study Buddhist philosophy taught by learned Tibetan Lamas and a practical introduction to personal meditation training.

Classes are held at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, just a few minutes walk from the Great Stupa of Boudhanath in the Kathmandu Valley. All summer programs are fully accredited by Kathmandu University.

For more information and to register, visit:

www.shedra.org

Rangjung Yeshe Institute 2006-2007

4th Annual Symposium on Buddhist Studies

Rangjung Yeshe Institute is pleased to announce the 4th Annual Symposium on Buddhist Studies. The symposium will take place on October 25, 2006, under the title "Buddhist Views and Practices".

Speakers at the symposium are:

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche
Dr. Tom Tillemans, University of Lausanne
Dr. John Makransky, Boston College
Dr. Koji Tanaka, University of Auckland
Dr. Naresh Man Bajracharya, Tribhuvan University
Dr. Peter Moran, Fulbright Commission

Venue:
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Boudhanath, Kathmandu

Time:
October 25, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

The Symposium includes a silent auction of many exciting items to benefit the Centre for Buddhist Studies.

The symposium is free of charge - everyone is welcome.

Madyamaka Lectures by Dr. Tom Tillemans

The Centre for Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce a lecture series by Dr. Tom Tillemans (University of Lausanne).


Aspects of Go rams pa's Madhyamaka philosophy: the debate with Tsong kha pa

This series of lectures will focus on issues which arise in the Madhyamaka philosophy of the Sa skya pa, Go rams pa bSod nams seng ge (1429-1489), with particular attention to his work, lTa ba'i shan 'byed. The latter work follows a tripartite distinction, treating the Jo nang pa views, those of Tsong kha pa and finally Go rams pa's own positions on Madhyamaka. The lectures will focus largely on the debate with Tsong kha pa, trying to see what underlying philosophical issues might be behind the often fierce polemics.

Date: October 16-27

Venue: Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery

For registration, write to shedra@mail.com.np or call 4483575

Dr. Tom Tillemans is a professor at the Faculty of Letters and Chair of Buddhist Studies at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. He received a License of Letters and Doctor of Letters in Sanskrit, Chinese and Philosophy at the University of Lausanne. Dr. Tillemans is author of the book Scripture, Logic, Language (Wisdom Publications, 1999) and has published a great number of academic articles and translations.

International Practice Center in Pharping

These pictures were taken at the Asura Cave in Pharping just before Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche left for his European teaching tour earlier this month. Rinpoche came to Pharping to give teachings to the monks in three-year retreat and to see the latest progress on the International Practice Center that he has built at the Asura Cave where Padmasambhava practiced and attained accomplishments.

In just a few months construction of the practice center will be complete leaving several beatiful rooms ready for shorter and longer retreats by members of the international sangha. All of the spacious rooms come with attached bathroom, kitchenette, and fantastic views! Rinpoche expressed his sincere wish that many people from around the world will come to practice in retreat at this most sacred and inspiring site.

Vasubandhu's Thirty Verses (TriMzikAkArikA)

The Centre for Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce a special guest lecture series by Dr. Ramsankar Tripathi on Vasubandhu's Thirty Verses (TriMzikArikA). The lectures, which are open to the public, will be delivered in Sanskrit with simultaneous oral translation into English by Mattia Salvini.

The lectures will be held at the Centre for Buddhist Studies, housed at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, Boudhanath, Kathmandu from August 21-29.

As space is limited prior registration (at tel. 4483575) is required.

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche arrives back in Kathmandu

Boston College students study at the Centre for Buddhist Studies

Since 2004, students from Boston College, Massachusetts, have been attending classes at the Centre for Buddhist Studies. To visit the BC program description of CBS, go to:

BC study abroad

Classical Texts Fall 2006

During the fall semester 2006, the following two classical texts will be taught at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery.





Entering the Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhisattvacaryavatara)
Composed by the great Indian master, Shantideva. This treatise is one of the foremost texts in which compassion and knowledge are taught in combination. It is a philosophical treatise, as well as a training manual for those students interested in developing the mind of enlightenment.

Entering the Middle Way (Madhyamakaavataara)
In this treatise the great Indian master Candrakirti elucidates in classical form the view, meditation, conduct and fruition of the Middle Way. Highlighting the unique features of the Consequence (Praasangika, Thal'gyur) approach, Candrakirti discusses in depth the nature of the crucial Mahayana qualities of emptiness-knowledge and compassion, and explains how these may be cultivated on the 10 bodhisattva levels and perfected in buddhahood. This classical treatise has been of profound significance for later Mahayamaka scholars, and has inspired an extremely rich commentarial tradition.

To register, visit the Shedra on the web (www.shedra.org).

Stay at Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Denmark

For those of you spending the summer in Europe, the following message from Rangjung Yeshe Gomde might be of interest.

As a Shedra student at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery you are welcome to stay during the summer at Rangjung Yeshe Gomde in Denmark. We will be happy to receive your help for approximately 4-5 hours a day before, during and after the seminars of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Chokling Rinpoche.

Please bring your own tent. The price per day (including meals and teachings) is DKK 120 / EUR 17.

To sign up and for more information, please contact the office at Rangjung Yeshe Gomde.

Gomde webpage

Rangjung Yeshe Institute starts blogging

Dear Friends,

At this blog you will receive regular updates from the Rangjung Yeshe Institute! Stay tuned!