2007 Programme
Ten Day Residential Retreat - June 5 - 14
The ten-day retreat is a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper in the Dharma and reconnect to stable center of practice. Students will remain within the IBA campus for these 10 days with an intense meditation schedule that minimizes distractions.
The retreat will be lead by Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, the founder of the Academy and one of the most respected khenpos of all traditions. It is a privilege to receive teachings and instruction from such an accomplished scholar and meditator who is sought after by lamas and khenpos of all traditions for personal instruction.
The retreat starts on Tuesday June 5th but we expect the participants to arrive earlier and be able to attend the orientation on June 4th. During the orientation day, students will get settled in their rooms, receive a tour of the school and be introduced to the schedule and rules for the retreat.
The specific schedule will be tailored suited by the retreat master to the attending audience. Generally we can say there will be a combination of group sessions in the main shrine hall and individual meditation sessions in one’s private room. The group morning session will have a teaching on the meditation topics and techniques. The afternoon session will explore the morning theory in practice with the guided meditations by the retreat master. The other daily sessions are in one’s private quarters.
The retreat master will pick one of the two following teachings as the basis of the retreat:
- “Parting from the Four Attachments” is classified as a Lojong, mind training teaching, with contemplations on the gradual Mahayana path. more…
- “The Three Visions” examines the state of those experiencing suffering, those engaged in the methods leading towards freedom from unhappiness and misery, and those fully enlightened ones who have attained the highest goal of omniscient awakening.
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Illuminating the Sage’s Intent, by Sakya Pandita - June 16 - July 15
This great work clearly and concisely sets forth the entire Mahayana path and result, based on the teachings contained in two verses of the Mahayanasutralamkara. It details the stages of the bodhisattva path from its commencement up to complete enlightenment, following the great teaching tradition of the early Kadampas.
“Sage’s Intent” is not only praised for its clarity but also because it was one of the favorite teaching texts of the great Sapan, widely regarded as the wisest in the Land of Snows. This is the teaching Sakya Pandita taught to large gatherings of students at the later years as he made his way across Tibet to the court of the Mongol Emperor. It still remains relevant in this modern age because of the purity of its presentation.
Khenpo Jamyang Tenzin will teach directly in English based on the Tibetan commentaries to this great work. Students will have the Sakya Pandita's root text translated into English and Khenpo Appey's recent commentary on it as study guides. These are the 13 chapters detailed in the text:
1. Buddha nature.
2. Producing the aspiration to engage in Buddha’s teachings.
3. Generating the great enlightenment thought.
4. The perfection of generosity.
5. The perfection of morality.
6. The perfection of patience.
7. The perfection of enthusiasm or joyous effort.
8. The perfection of meditative concentration.
9. The perfection of wisdom.
10. The four means of gathering followers.
11. The five paths to enlightenment.
12. The ten bhumis.
13. The ultimate result.
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Ornament of Discourses (Mahayanasutralamkara) by Maitreya - July 17 - Sept. 15
This text is regarded as a clarification of both the definitive and provisional Mahayana sutras. It primarily presents the essential nature of the mind of living beings and its relation to the potential for enlightenment, the buddha nature within all of us. It explains in detail the practice of the six paramitas inspiring us to develop our practice with clarity. These are two translations available in English.
Khenpo Ngawang Jorden will teach directly in English based on the Tibetan commentaries to this great work. Dr. Jorden completed his PhD in Buddhist Studies at Harvard University. In addition to his teaching commitment at the IBA, Khenpo Jorden is currently teaching at the University of Chicago in the USA.
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Tibetan Language
Introduction, intermediate and translation
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 immerse themselves in this classical language while pursuing their Dharma studies. The cost of Tibetan Language Instruction is
included in the course fee.
This is an intense Tibetan Language program that meets one hour a day, six days a week for up to 3 months each year. The pace of the classes will be determined by the instructors depending on the aptitude and enthusiasm of the students. We generally have 3 levels to accommodate the various students.
Introduction to the Tibetan Language
This beginner’s class teaches reading, writing and pronunciation of the Tibetan Alphabet. As the course progresses students will be introduced to basic vocabulary, Tibetan Sanskrit transliteration, fundamentals of Tibetan grammar, sentence structure and short dialogues. Many students who come to IBA with a focus on the philosophy courses are happily surprised at how much they enjoy the Tibetan Language classes.
Intermediate Tibetan Language
This intermediate class continues where the “Introduction Class” left off. After an extensive review of the material that is generally covered in the Intro Class, students are gradually guided to develop in all areas. At this level the instructor emphasizes grammar, syntax, expanding vocabulary, particularly Buddhist terms. A portion of the class is invested in developing colloquial dialogues. The prerequisite for this class is having taken the Intro Class or having an equivalent understanding of the alphabet and basic grammar.
Introduction to Translation
Even more than with the previously mentioned courses, in this class the instructor really takes into account the level fluency in Tibetan of the students. This is hands-on learning in a collaborative effort to translate an important Dharma text. 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, new vocabulary and its usage.
The prerequisite for this course is the Intermediate Course or similar proficiency. It is also possible to participate as silent audience and just absorb it all in.
It is also possible to hire language tutors or conversation companions (approx. 1 or 2 US$ an hour) in the Bouddhanath area near IBA to maximize one’s study time.
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Fees
The 2007 programme will run from June 4th to September 15th.
Students are welcome to attend any one of the courses or the entire programme. The cost is US$285 per month including tuition, room and three meals a day. Ordained monks and nuns receive a 25% discount. For non-resident students the cost of tuition is $95 per month.
The Ten-Day Residential Retreat will run from June 5th to June 14th. The total cost is $70 which covers room and three meals a day. The cost of Tibetan Language Instruction is included in the course fee. In other words, the course fee covers both the philosophy and Tibetan Language classes.
You can pay for the course in person at the IBA office. Do to government rules, we can only accept payment in Nepalese currency. Simply exchange money to the local currency once you are in Kathmandu or use your ATM card to take out money. You have up to 7 days after arrival to pay the fees.
For more information visit the Registration page
To register for a course please fill this form
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