4 Year Program
2009
Annual Retreat (Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche) - June 2 - 11
Our annual ten-day retreat is a wonderful opportunity to delve more deeply into the Dharma and to reconnect with one’s stable center of practice. This year we are very fortunate to have Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche guiding the retreat. Rinpoche will teach upon the mind-training tradition of Parting from the 4 Attachments. Rinpoche will base his teaching on a commentary on these pith instructions by the great Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.
Please visit our Retreat page for a full description, schedule, biography and information on registration.
Bodhicharyavatara of Shantideva (Bodhisattva’s way of life) (1 month)
Written by the Madhyamika poet and scholar Shantideva in the 7th century CE, the Bodhicharyavatara is one of the great masterpieces of Buddhist literature and the most read and practiced text in all Mahayana Traditions. This text has been quoted so often by the great Tibetan masters due to its clarity and direct presentation of the view and practice of the Bodhisattva path as encapsulated in the Six Perfections. Khenpo Jamyang Tenzin will present a detailed line by line explanation of the last 4 chapters directly in English, relying on Gyalsay Togme Sangpo’s commentary.
Please visit our Shantideva page for a full description, schedule, biography and to dowload the Bodhicharyavatara.
General Meaning of the Middle [View] by Kunkhyen Gorampa (2 months)
The author proceeds to outline the general principles upon which the Middle Way is established as the essence of the Buddha's teaching by developing the understanding of Madhyamika on the basis of ground, path and result. The ground teaching focuses mainly on the two truths, logical argument by syllogism, and the two types of selflessness. The path teaching discusses the mind of enlightenment, its causes and how they are produced, the accumulation of merit and wisdom and transcendent realisations. The result teaching describes the sublime qualities of the Buddha clearing away misconceptions regarding the nature and activity of a perfectly enlightened Buddha.
Khenpo Dr. Ngawang Jorden will lecture directly in English based upon the Tibetan commentary.
Please visit our Gorampa page for a full description, schedule and biography
2010
Opening the Door to All Knowable Objects: Aggregates, Spheres of Perception and Sources of Perception, by Kunkhyen Gorampa. (1 month)
This is the commentary on the ‘meaning’ to both the upper and lower Abhidharmas. The study of Abhidharma instills the basic and precise knowledge of all phenomena, which is an indispensable aid to developing wisdom, especially regarding the conventional nature of all knowable objects.
The Entrance Gate for the Wise (Section III): Sakya Pandita (1 month)
This chapter on pramana, elucidated the Indian and Tibetan Traditions of valid cognition, logical reasoning and philosophical debate.
Pramanavartika by Acharya Dharmakirti (second chapter) (1 month)
This work, one of the seven major logic texts composed by Dharmakirti, clarifies the teachings in Dignaga’s Pramanasamuccaya. To this day, it remains one of the most referred to Indian texts on Buddhist logic.
2011
Four hundred Verses of Madhyamaka by Aryadeva (1 month)
This text is divided into two sections: the first eight chapters are a detailed commentary on the methods of seeing correct relative truth rather than the false conceptions that plague ordinary persons. The second eight chapters are a detailed commentary on how to study, contemplate and meditate in order to realize ultimate truth.
Two short works by Kunkhyen Gorampa (2 months)
a. Separate Presentation on the Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination
This text provides a thorough explanation of the process by which ordinary sentient beings are bound to samsara through the sequential arising of the twelve links of interdependent origination, and the way in which practitioners develop the ability to relinquish these fetters, one by one, in reverse order.
b. Thoroughly Illuminating Meditative Absorption
This text provides a thorough exposition on the one-pointed mental state, the basic foundation for producing and developing wisdom.
2012
Kamalashila's Bhavanakrama (1 month)
This text, by Shantarakshita's famed pupil, Kamalashila, forms his last work, completed before his untimely death, after winning a famous debate between his "gradual path view" vs. the "sudden path view"(held by his opponent, Ho-shang).
In this Bhavanakrama text, the freshly-won argument became a systemmatic method incorporating the Threefold sequence of: Learning, Reflection, and Meditation. According to Kamalashila, it was only by following this particular sequence, thoroughly, that one could hope to approach the final goal of "realization of shunyata". Kamalashila, who is described as a Yogacharya-Madhyamika, had a great deal of respect for the work of the famed earlier scholar, Nagarjuna, and his doctrine of shunyata. Thus, in contrast to the "sudden path view" which places no value on practicing the "ten Perfections", the Bhavanakrama reccommends the step-by-step gradual pathway, as the correct approach to the realization of ultimate reality.
Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara (2 months)
One of the principal texts used in the study of Madhyamaka philosophy is Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara, a commentary on Nagarjuna's Treatise on the Middle Way. In this work, Chandrakirti presents the Prasangika-Madhyamaka viewpoint, a level of viewpoint considered by the masters of all the major Tibetan Buddhist Schools to be the definitive presentation of the Buddha's words.
The main body of the Commentary is divided into ten chapters, each chapter dealing with one of the ten Bodhisattva stages. Each of these stages is associated with a particular Paramita, beginning with the Perfection of Generosity. The first chapter deals with the actions and concerns of a Bodhisattva from the time he begins to practice, through his actual entry into the path of the Great Vehicle, up to and including his attainment of the first Bodhisattva ground.
The sixth chapter, describing the Perfection of Wisdom, is the main focus of the whole Commentary. It deals extensively with the "selflessness of person" and the "selflessness of phenomena".
Top
Tibetan Language
Introduction
For those seeking a more complete understanding of the study texts, we offer Tibetan Language Instruction at various levels. Our daily classes provide an important opportunity for interested students to learn this classical language while pursuing their Dharma studies. The cost of Tibetan Language Instruction is included in the course fee.
The Tibetan classes are ongoing and taught side by side the Buddhist Philosophy courses beginning in June. Students who arrive after the term has begun can join a class in progress that is most appropriate to their level of experience. We will also run an intensive Translator Training beginning on Oct. 1, 2009. If you want to stay informed, send us your email.
Tibetan 101 - Colloquial
This course follows the Manual of Standard Tibetan as its principal text up to Chapter 25. The classes begin by teaching the reading, writing and pronunciation of the Tibetan Alphabet. As the course progresses students will be introduced to the basic vocabulary, fundamentals of Tibetan grammar, sentence structure and colloquial dialogs. This class meets one hour a day, five days a week for up to 3 months each year.
This course focuses primarily on Colloquial Tibetan although the instructor will also incorporate elements of Classical Tibetan. Students can buy a copy of the Manual of Standard Tibetan to review before attending the class or they can purchase the text at the IBA. Tournadre, Nicolas (2003) Manual of Standard Tibetan, Snow Lion Publications.
Tibetan 102 - Colloquial
This course follows the Manual of Standard Tibetan as its principal text from Chapter 21 to the end. After short review of the material that is generally covered in Tibetan 101, students continue to study the dialogues in the book, chapter by chapter. The prerequisite for this class is having taken Tibetan 101 or possessing the equivalent knowledge. This class meets one hour a day, five days a week for up to 3 months each year.
This course focuses primarily on Colloquial Tibetan although the instructor will also incorporate elements of Classical Tibetan and introduce Dharma vocabulary. Students can buy a copy of the Manual of Standard Tibetan to review before attending the class or they can purchase the text at the IBA. Tournadre, Nicolas (2003) Manual of Standard Tibetan, Snow Lion Publications.
Tibetan 201 – Aural Comprehension
The format of the class will be a lively teaching in Tibetan with questions and answers. The khenpo will teach a brief Dharma lesson each day with simple words. Students can request clarifications in Tibetan. To participate in the course, students should have a basic understanding of spoken Tibetan. It is also possible to attend the class silently as a non-participating student absorbing the material.
Tibetan 202 - Introduction to Translation
This is hands-on learning in a collaborative effort to translate short Dharma texts or sections of the text being taught in the philosophy class. The class meets 3 times a week for one hour. Students work on translating sections of the text as homework and meet during class time to compare the students’ translation efforts. The instructor compares different possible interpretations and explains the unique sentence structure of classical Tibetan, the new vocabulary and its usage.
The prerequisite for this course is sufficient grammar knowledge to translate basic classical Tibetan sentences with the help of a dictionary. It is also possible to attend the class silently as a non-participating student absorbing the material. Translation text is provided by the IBA
Top
Annual 10-Day Retreat
All study has as its aim to be implemented. Our philosophical courses are meant to prepare students with knowledge so that they can contemplate and put the Dharma into practice to better themselves and the world. Our 10-Day annual retreat offers a simple introduction to the art of meditation, the last and vital step in acquiring wisdom on the Buddhist path.
Please visit our Retreat page for a full description, schedule and information on registration.
Top
Daily Schedule
Lessons are being conducted 6 days a week from Tuesday to Sunday. The courses are intensive requiring students to invest considerable time and energy to prepare for the classes. Mondays are generally left for students to explore the Kathmandu Valley, visit lamas, extend their visas and mingle with the local Tibetan community of Boudhanath. IBA will also organize guided tours of major cultural sites of the Valley.
The regular daily schedule is as follows:
| Typical Daily Schedule - Tuesday to Sunday |
| 06:30am |
Voluntary Silent Meditation |
Shrine room |
| 07:00am |
Breakfast |
|
| 08:00am |
Main Philosophy Teaching |
Shrine room |
| 09:30am |
Tea Break |
|
| 10:00am |
Tibetan Language Class 1 |
Classroom I |
| 11:00am |
Tibetan Language Class 2 |
Classroom II |
| 12:00 |
Lunch |
|
| 01:00pm |
Tibetan Language Class 3 |
Classroom I |
| 02:30pm |
Revision of Philosophy with Q&A |
Shrine room |
| 03:30pm |
Tea Break |
|
| 06:30pm |
Dinner |
|
During the last week of the term, a final examination will be held to assess the student's understanding of the course material.
Top
Fees
The 2009 program will run from June 2th to September 13th.
Students are welcome to attend any one of the courses or the entire program. We try to make our fees as resonable as possible so that the Dharma remains accessable to largest number of people. Please visit our Fees Section.
For more information visit the Registration page
To register for a course please fill this form
