Meeting of IABU in Bangkok

From September 13-15, Rangjung Yeshe Institute attended the first summit of the IABU (International Association of Buddhist Universities, www.iabu.org), held in Bangkok, Thailand. The IABU is a new organization, created to increase cooperation and interaction between universities and colleges that draw inspiration from the living Buddhist tradition in their teaching methods and academic perspective.

Attending the summit at the invitation of the IABU were the two senior lecturers at RYI, Khenpo Sherab Dorje and Khenpo Jampa Donden, as well as the Director of Studies, Andreas Doctor. The three days of meetings culminated in the creating of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by more than 100 Buddhist member universities including RYI. Apart from participating in the discussions on the structure and future of the IABU, the two khenpos also performed prayers for the conference together with other scholars from the Tibetan institutions as representatives of the Vajrayana tradition.

Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sutras

Another semester is underway and a class on the Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sutras is now being offered. This important text is one of the “five treatises of Maitreya” and lays out the vast and profound path of the Great Vehicle. The text is taught with two commentaries: one by Khenpo Zhenga and one by Lama Mipam. Both Khenpo Zhenga and Lama Mipam were instrumental in revitalizing the tradition of scholarship in eastern Tibet in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and their works have continued to hold a central place in the curriculum of Buddhist monastic colleges. Their two commentaries are particularly interesting to study in tandem because of the contrasting styles of the authors: Khenpo Zhenga primarily comments on the Indian scriptures and Mipam incorporates the Tibetan commentaries of his tradition.

The class is taught by Khenpo Jampa Donden, who trained at Dzongsar College (which is one of the monastic colleges established by Khenpo Zhenga) under the late Khenpo Kunga Wangchuk. The translator is Dr. Douglas Duckworth, who has a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and recently published a book on Mipam entitled Mipam on Buddha-Nature (SUNY, 2008). Students from all over the world have come to partake in what promises to be an “international feast on the nectar of Dharma!”

Fall Semester Classes Begin

On September 1 the fall semester at Rangjung Yeshe Institute began. This year 30 new students from around the world are joining the program for a total of 68 students attending classes at the Institute.

The classical texts that are offered this fall are The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva and Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras by Asanga and Maitreya using the commentaries of Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham.

In an exciting development, as the senior students develop their proficiency in Tibetan, an increasing number of classes are being offered where the students study philosophy directly in Tibetan from Khenpos and Lamas. This semester four such classes are taught only in Tibetan for students from our third and fourth year:

1) Kun bzang bla ma'i zhal lung (Words of My Perfect Teacher)
2) bShes-pa’i springs-yig (Letter to a Friend)
3) Spyod ‘jug sgom rim (Meditation on the Way of a Bodhisattva)
4) Lha rdzas me tog phreng wa (The Divine Flower Garland)

Moreover, this year RYI is honored to host philosophy courses with two distinguished guest lecturers. Dr. John Dunne from Emory University will be teaching a course in the philosophy of the great Buddhist thinker Dharmakirti and Dr. Klaus Dieter Mathes from University of Hamburg will teach a research course on Mahamudra and readings in Sanskrit for the MA students.

Sri Lanka Donates Encyclopedia of Buddhism to CBS

On July 23, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, Mr. Sumith Nakandala, visited CBS and donated a set of the Encyclopedia of Buddhism, sponsored by the Government of Sri Lanka, to the research library at CBS. The encyclopedia was received by Greg Whiteside, Principal at CBS.

6th Annual Symposium of Buddhist Studies

On December 13, 2008, the Centre for Buddhist Studies and Rangjung Yeshe Institute is hosting the 6th Annual Symposium of Buddhist Studies. This topic for this year’s symposium is Buddhism Translated: Language, Transmission and Transformation. Among the speakers this year are Dr. Tom Tillemans (Lausanne University), Dr. John Dunne (Emory University), Dr. Sara McClintock (Emory University), and Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche (Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery).

The symposium is held at the Hyatt Regency in Boudhanath, Kathmandu on December 13, 2008, from 10 am – 6 pm. The event is free to the general public and everyone is welcome.

Partnership with The University of Naples "L'Orientale"

This summer Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute joined in a partnership with The University of Naples "L'Orientale" in Naples, Italy. The partnership will promote cooperation between the two institutions regarding student and faculty exchange and joint research activities. The Centre for Buddhist Studies looks forward to working with L’Orientale on these important projects in the years to come.

Short Course

This month RYI is offering a short course on Jigme Lingpa's classic, Staircase to Akanishta. The course, which is taught by Khenpo Sherab Dorje, will introduce Jigme Lingpa's famous treatise on the development stage, and cover the key points of this profound practice. The course begins on Friday, February 22, and will run for three or four weekends according to the following schedule:
Fridays: 4.00-5.30 pm
Saturdays: 8.00-9.30 am
Sundays: 8.00-9.30 am
Pre-registration by February 20 at the RYI office in Boudhanath, or by email (admin@shedra.org) is required.
Tuition: Local: 450 rps.
International: 1800 rps.
Rangjung Yeshe Institute admin@shedra.org

Learn Tibetan Calligraphy

From February 18 – April 11, RYI is offering a two-month introduction course in Tibetan Calligraphy. The course, which is free and open to everyone, is a rare opportunity to learn the art of Tibetan calligraphy. In the course students will learn to write Tibetan classical scripts using traditional calligraphic tools, such as the bamboo pen. The course is taught by the calligraphy teacher at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, Mr. Sangpo. Time: Mondays and Wednesdays 5.00-6.00 pm. Venue: Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, Shedra Classroom no. 1. Although the course is free, prior registration by February 15 at the RYI office in Boudhanath, or by email (admin@shedra.org) is required.

Check out our new student blog!

For current student's perspectives on studying at RYI check out:

http://ryi-student-blog.blogspot.com/

Summer Program 2008

Registration for the summer semester of 2008 is now open. This year we are offering Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Tibetan, Beginning Sanskrit, Sanskrit Buddhist Readings, and Nepali languages as well as a Buddhist Studies course.


For more information check out http://www.cbs.edu.np/.

Register early as classes are filling up quickly!

The Khyentse - Rangjung Yeshe Institute Scholarship

The Khyentse Foundation and Rangjung Yeshe Institute are pleased to announce the launch of a joint scholarship fund. For the Spring semester of 2008 there are a limited number of scholarships available. These awards are open to both local and international students at RYI and will be awarded primarily on the basis of academic performance.


Interested students should submit a 250-500 word essay explaining why they feel they are deserving of an award, including a statement of their current GPA.

The criteria to be used in making the awards will be as follows: (i) GPA, (ii) the essay, (iii) overall standing within the Institute.

Interested applicants should submit the above documents by email to admin@shedra.org by January 25th 2008.

Classical Texts for 2008/2009

The spring semester has begun! Classes are underway as everyone returned from a much needed winter holiday. This semester first year students will continue their study of The Way of the Bodhisattva as second and third year students will be studying the Middle Beyond Extremes: Maitreya’s Madhyantavibanga with commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham.


The classical texts for next fall semester have now been decided. Once again, The Way of the Bodhisattva will be taught and, if time permits, it will be accompanied by teachings on Nagarjuna’s Root Knowledge of the Middle Way. In addition, an advanced class on Asanga/Maitreya’s Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras using the commentaries of Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham will be offered.

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.