2008 Program
Bodhicharyavatara (Bodhisattva’s way of life) - June 3 - 29
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 first 6 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.
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Annual Ten Day Retreat - July 3 - 12
The ten-day retreat is a wonderful opportunity to delve more deeply into the Dharma and to reconnect with one’s stable center of practice.
Khenpo Rinpoche Appey has selected Khenpo Lungrig Senge, a teacher of great experience, to lead this year's retreat. We will have a combination of group sessions in the main shrine hall and individual meditation sessions in one’s private room. In the group morning session, the retreat master will present a teaching on the meditation topics and techniques. During the afternoon session we will explore the morning’s theory in practice, with guided meditations by the retreat master. The remaining daily sessions will be in one’s private quarters.
The retreat will cover the Three Levels of Spiritual Perception meditations, topics related to the Mahayana gradual path (lamrim).
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The first level of perception, impure vision, deals with the different levels of suffering, impermanence (death) and karma.
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The second level of perception, the experiential vision of the yogis, teaches on developing love, compassion, the mind of enlightenment and meditation.
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The third level of perception, pure vision, explains the enlightened body, voice and mind.
The retreat starts on Tuesday July 3rd but we expect the participants to arrive earlier and be able to attend the orientation on July 2. 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 total cost for the Ten-Day Retreat is only US$108. This covers a room and three meals a day for up to a 14 day stay, July 1 - 14 (including 2 extra days before and after the retreat to facilitate travel).
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Abhidharma-kosha (Treasury of Higher Knowledge) - July 16 - Sept. 14
Written in Sanskrit by the monk-scholar Vasubandhu in the 4th century CE, the Abhidharma-kosha is the key text used for the study of abhidharma within the Tibetan traditions, due to its systematic and exhaustive treatment of ontology, psychology, cosmology, causality, states of consciousness and other key topics. It is an indispensable text for all students of philosophy and is considered a vital part of the Buddhist path. As was said by Buddhaghosha, “Those who study the Abhidhamma literature experience unending joy and serenity of mind.” Khenpo Dr. Ngawang Jorden will lecture directly in English upon the critical first two chapters which explain the nature of dhatus (elements) and indriyas (sense faculties).
Please visit our Abhidharma page for a full description of the course, schedule and biography of Vasubhandu.
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Madhyamakavatara (Engaging in the Middle Way) - July 16 - August 15
only in Chinese - please visit our page in Mandarin for more info.
Written by the 7th century CE Indian Buddhist master Chandrakirti, this text is considered one of the most important explications of the philosophical view of the Middle Way. Its chapters describe in detail the ten stages of the Bodhisattva path. This text is an important part of the traditional curriculum of Tibetan religious colleges and a reference for further studies. Khenpo Panchen Rinpoche will give a thorough explanation in Mandarin. He will use Gorampa Sonam Senge’s “Removing the Wrong Views” and Tsongkhapa’s “Clear Elucidation of the Intent of Madhyamaka” as supporting commentaries.
Contact Rinpoche directly in Taiwan for information on this course:
tel: +00886-9121-36665
fax: +00886-3215-0253
email: panchen168(at)yahoo.com.tw
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Tibetan Language
Introduction, intermediate, colloquial 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.
The Tibetan Language classes meet one hour a day, five 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 4 levels to accommodate the various students.
The Tibetan classes are ongoing. They begin on June 3rd and continue until September 14. We will have a two week break from July 1 to 14 during our annual retreat.
Students who arrive after the term has begun can join a class in progress that is most appropriate to their level of experience.
Tibetan I
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 colloquial dialogs.
Tibetan II
This intermediate class continues where the “Introduction Class” left off. After an extensive review of the material that is generally covered in Tibetan I, 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 dialogs. The prerequisite for this class is having taken Tibetan I or having an equivalent understanding of the alphabet and basic grammar.
Tibetan III
This class will focus on Colloquial Tibetan, its grammar and usage. The format of the class will be a lively Tibetan dialog between teacher and students interspersed with brief lessons on Colloquial grammar. The prerequisite for this course is the Tibetan II or similar proficiency with basic grammar.
Introduction to Translation
In this class, the instructor really takes into account the level of Tibetan fluency held by the students. This is hands-on learning in a collaborative effort to translate short Dharma texts or sections of the text being taught in 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 Tibetan II or similar proficiency in grammar and sentence structure. It is also possible to observe the class silently as a non-participating student absorbing the material.
It is also possible to hire language tutors or conversation companions (approx. 3 US$ an hour) in the Boudhanath area near IBA to maximize one’s study time.
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Fees
The 2008 program will run from June 3th to September 14th.
Students are welcome to attend any one of the courses or the entire program. 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 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.
The total cost for the Ten-Day Retreat is US$108 which covers a room and three meals a day for a stay of upto 14 days (July 1 - 14 including 2 extra days before and after the retreat to facilitate travel).
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 at one of the many automatic tellers. 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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