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Ngagyur Nyingma College
Institute of Advanced Buddhist Studies Research |
Ngagyur Nyingma College (Five
Sciences University) is an institute of higher Buddhist studies. Advanced
Buddhist studies is deemed necessary for the preservation of the precious
living lineage and spread of the vast and profound Buddha Dharma for the
benefit of all sentient beings. All relative and ultimate happiness of
sentient beings results through the understanding of the interdependency of
cause and effect, and from the cultivation of virtuous and abandonment of
non-virtuous actions.
The profound teachings of the
Buddha say that ultimate happiness is achieved through the unsurpassable
Enlightenment. Realizing the necessity of advanced Buddhist studies, plans
were made for building a Shedra in Min-drolling. The foundation stone for
the Ngagyur Nyingma College was laid on the 26th of April, 1988 by His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. It was started functioning in 1991 when H.H. the
Dalai Lama formally inaugurated it on 28th March of the same year as a part
of Mindrolling. This institute is one of the largest Buddhist Institutes in
India.
Monks of Ngagyur Nyingma College study and practice the teachings of Buddha
in accordance with the living lineage of Omniscient Rongzom Pandita,
Omniscient Longchenpa, the Vidyadhara Rigzin Terdak Lingpa, Lochen
Dharmashri and Jamgom Mipham Rinpoche. With the increase in the number of
students in the Institute, plans for the further expansion are to be
realized. Construction on a new wing is recently started due to the help of
the Venerable Khandro Rinpoche and several other generous donors. The
Ngagyur Nyingma College is presided over by His Eminence Khenchen Rinpoche
with a team of fully trained and experienced Khenpos (abbots).
The learned Khenpos are also invited from other Buddhist institutes for advanced and
special courses. His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen also confers highest
teachings and empowerment to senior students. Ngagyur Nyingma College offers
a nine-year course of studies, which includes the vinaya (Buddhist
discipline), philosophy, logic, psychology, debate, Tibetan literature,
Buddhist history and tantras. It has four main levels:
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Vinaya
(discipline)
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Abhidharma (metaphysics)
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Sutra
(discourses)
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Mantrapitaka
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The nine year curriculum
covers all the three vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism: Hinayana, Mahayana and
Vajrayana. Besides these, the monks at the Institute participate in all the
major Drubchens held in the main monastery, Ngedon Gatsal Ling. Upon the
successful passing of the entrance examination, monks can join the 'Shedra'.
All students are required to be ordained with the vows of novice monk.
The
term begins on the first day of the fourth lunar-month and ends on the last
week of the eleventh lunar-month. Intensive study schedule is followed
during the term. Annual examinations are held at the end of each term. Monks
are provided with certificates on the successful completion of each annual
examination. In order to standardize the courses, the preparation of
questions for the annual examinations and the checking of the answer-papers
are done by the celebrated abbots from other renowned Buddhist Institutes in
India and Nepal.
After completing the nine years and all levels, monks can take up three
years of voluntary teachings, management or research work at the Institute.
Following that only outstanding monks are awarded with the title of Khenpo.
In order to maintain a high standard of studies of the Sutras and Tantras
through hearing, contemplating and meditating, and upholding the traditions
of the great spiritual masters of the past, a code of conduct has been
deemed necessary for all students. This is as follows:
Registration for New Admission
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If an applicant is
non-ordained, he has to receive ordination with keen aspiration from a vinaya Master.
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He should have his own 'Choego',
upper robes and 'Dingwa' (mat meant for monk). He should have a copy of 'Rigzin
Thug Thig' and 'Yumka Dechen Gyalmo' texts in order to perform monthly
practice on the 10th and 25th day of each lunar month.
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He must respect the rules
and regulations of the Institute, and follow them earnestly.
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For monks seeking admission
from within Min-drolling monastery, a certificate of having completed all
the eight levels of the Primary and Secondary Buddhist School is required.
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Monks from other monasteries
should bear a letter of introduction from the head of their concerned
monastery.
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Other applicants, apart from
the two categories listed above, may also be considered if they have
adequate knowledge and are keen to pursue the Dharma.
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Only eligible applicant can
take a written entrance examination, and the Examination Board will decide
the final selection.
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Once admitted, one should
diligently perform any duties assigned by the head of the monastery and of
the Institute, teachers and Gekko (disciplinarian).
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Course of Studies and Certificates
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The courses are divided into
two categories, core and supplementary subjects. In order to pass an
examination, students have to obtain atleast 40% marks in core and 33% in
supplementary subjects. The passing results are graded into three
divisions. Marks obtained above 60% are categorized as first division,
above 50% as second, and the rest as third division.
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The first three years'
course primarily focuses on Vinaya, the monastic discipline. There are
Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Levels on Vinaya teachings. After
the successful completion of these three levels, monks are awarded with a
certificate of 'Rabjampa on Vinaya'
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The next two years' course
mainly focuses on Abhidharma, Metaphysics. There are Introductory,
Intermediate and Advanced Levels on Abhidharma. After the successful
completion of these three levels, monks are awarded with a certificate of
'Rabjampa on Abhidharma'.
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The next two years' course
mainly focuses on Sutra, Discourses. There are Introductory, Intermediate
and Advanced Levels on Sutras. After the successful completion of these
three levels, monks are awarded with a certificate of 'Rabjampa on
Sutras'.
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The next two years' course
mainly focuses on Mantrayana. There are Introductory, Intermediate and
Advanced Levels on Mantrayana. After the successful completion of these
three levels, monks are awarded with a certificate of 'Rabjampa on Sutra
and Mantra'.
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After completing all the
nine levels successfully, one can take up three years of research and
specialization on any one of the subjects mentioned above. One with
outstanding knowledge and accomplishment is then awarded with the title of
Khenpo (abbot).
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After the completing all
these, one should then wholeheartedly devotes to practicing and spreading
the Buddha's teachings under the guidance of the head of the Min-drolling
monastery and Ngagyur Nyingma College.
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The Code of Conduct
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Monk should always be
dressed in the robes of an ordained monk in accordance with the Vinaya
Sutra.
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Any activity not conforming
to the vows of a novice monk such as; singing and dancing, are prohibited.
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One is not allowed to go out
on leave without a valid reason except once a month.
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If needed, one can do so
after getting permission from the proper authorities.
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On breaking the rule, one
will be disciplined accordingly and must make a commitment to not repeat
the same.
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Should follow all the rules
specified in the Rules and Regulations Handbook.
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Formation of any kinds of
committee or group is not allowed, unless consented by the head of the
monastery.
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Two-hour outing is allowed
on every Sunday.
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Once in a month on Saturday,
a half-day outing is allowed.
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All rules mentioned above
are subject to change by the management at any time.
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To be Eligible for the Annual Examination
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The minimum of 80%
attendance in a year is required.
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Should memorize 10 pages of
root text within a specific period of time.
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Shouldn't take any books in
the examination hall.
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Shouldn't indulge in
cheating during exam and if caught, one is not allowed to take exam for
that year.
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On misbehaving with anyone
of the management committee, one is barred from the examination of that
year.
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Failing in two consecutive
examinations will deprive one from continuing his studies in the
institute.
The Examination Board
Committee
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The Examination Board
Committee (EBC) will notify the schedule of examination on a month prior
to the examination.
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It has to request the
concerned Institutes and Scholars to set up question papers.
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The committee should
maintain question papers confidentially.
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In the event leakage during
printing, it must acquire new question papers.
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If any member of the
committee is found guilty of leaking papers, he will be expelled from the
board for a period of five years.
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It has to announce the
results of the examination 15 days before the starting of a new session.
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The Board has to declare the
date of announcement of examination results prior to the vacation.
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Vacation
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Every year there is one and
a half-month vacation after the annual examination with the specific
date decided by the Institute's administration in consultation with the
head of the monastery.
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One should come back from
vacation within the specified reporting time.
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Reporting time is on 30th of
the 3rd lunar-month, and until 14th of 4th Lunar-month, all are required
to do self-study. The regular classes start from 15th of the same month.
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The announcement of the
results will be on 10th of 4th lunar-month.
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Failing to return on the day
of announcing the results will suspend one from the Institute for a period
of one year.
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Commitment
Prior to being awarded with a certificate, monks are required to make the
commitment to devote their whole life to practicing and propagating the
Buddha Dharma in general, and of the view, philosophy and accomplishment of
the Ngagyur Nyingma tradition in particular. They must also uphold the
values of Ngagyur Nyingma College at all time.
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Schedule of the Classes and
Instructor’s Qualification
In Ngagyur Nyingma College, all subjects are classified as core or elective.
Abbots and scholars teach the core subjects from 7:30 am to 9:30 am or 10 am
to 12 pm. From 2 pm to 3:30 pm, some of the senior students are chosen to
recapitulate what has been taught in the morning. These students are called
kyor-pon. The elective courses are scheduled in the evenings from 4 pm to 5
pm. The instructor should be a qualified abbot, scholar, or someone with
equivalent qualifications. They must be able to teach the treatises listed
in the curriculum. To be a kyor-pon, a student is required to have ranked in
the first division in each of the four years of study, or an equivalent
qualification. They all must be ordained.
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The Activity of Teaching, Debating
and Writing in the College
Generally, the students, ranked by their standards,
make regular speeches throughout the academic year. The topics are settled
according to the lists prepared by the concerned authority. On certain
special occasions like the last day of the summer retreat and the
anniversaries of Terdag Lingpa and Mipham Rinpoche, a group of students make
oral presentations on topics related to sutra and tantras. These speeches
are made according to the three traditions of scholastic assertion: refuting
the other's stance, establishing one's view, and responding to criticism of
one's statement. On every Friday during the evening session of the summer
retreat, each student explains the complex meaning of a particular treatise
as an oral examination.
The students, either in one large group or as smaller groups as determined
by the college's authorities, debate regularly from 3 pm to dusk during the
academic year. On the last day of summer retreat and the respective
anniversaries of Terdag Lingpa and Mipham Rinpoche, debates are organized in
which the debating groups support their arguments with quotes from the main
text, using logical reasoning and dialectical skills.
There is also competition on poetry readings, essays and other creative
writings on the last day of summer retreat and the anniversaries of Terdag
LiJ.1gpa and Mipham Rinpoche. The themes of the compositions are related to
the appreciation of Buddhism'_through the works of famous Buddhist scholars
and saints from both India and Tibet, such as Buddha Shakyamuni, the Six
Ornaments and Two Supreme Ones, the Omniscient Longchenpa and Rongzom
Mahapandita, Terdag Lingpa and his close disciples, Mipham Rinpoche, and so
on.
The editorial committee has so far published two major books. The first is a
bilingual, booklet titled The Words of Arhat; the Disciplines of Ngagyur
Nyingma College and its History, and the second is the book, The Celebration
of the Complete Victory of War Revealing the Life Stories of the Supreme
Abbot Lineage of Mindrolling Monastery. The committee, will continue to
publish a book annually.
Special scholarly debates and discussions are held every Saturday during the
summer retreat. The participants either make speeches, debate or read their
compositions at that time. In short, the students of the college faithfully
follow the path of the ancient scholars and saints by actively participating
in teaching, debate and writing.
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| Graduation
Ceremony
Under the
leadership of His Holiness Mindrolling Trichen Rinpoche, His Eminence
Khenchen Rinpoche and the most Venerable Khochhen Rinpoche, Ngyagyur
Nyingma College produced it first class of graduates in the year 2000,
nearly a decade after its inauguration 1991. Since then, students have
graduated from the institute each year.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Mlndrolling
Monastery on October 25, 2002, and awarded the degree of 'The Holder
of Tripitakas' to the students who had completed seven years of
advanced studies on sutras, as well as the"Vidyadhara' degree to those
who passed two years of intensive study on Tantras. While
congratulating the graduates, the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance
of applying their knowledge to look within rather than outside of
one's mind, and practice what they have learned diligently for inner
spiritual development.
The graduated scholars now serve as teachers in the monastery's
elementary school, as well, as in the Tibetan schools, Dharma centers
and monasteries throughout India,. Bhutan, Nepal and the world. |
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Requirements for the title of
Khenpo (Abbot)
1. The prospective abbot must complete nine years of
higher Buddhist studies and be able to proficiently teach both the core and
elective courses.
2. He must accumulate three years of teaching experience and be a
well-disciplined, fully ordained monk.
3. He must have received a number of empowerments, oral transmission and
teachings, and must diligently practice these regularly.
4. Gentle and well-mannered, he should have a great sense of commitment to
the Buddha Dharma in general and the Ngagyur Nyingma doctrine in particular.
5. He should have a sense of belonging to the college, and must be
responsible for and concerned about it affairs.
6. If a prospective abbot has fulfilled the above qualifications, a final
decision is made by the authorities of the monastery.
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List of Special Holidays
Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Birthday of
His Holiness Minling Trichen Rinpoche The day on which His Holiness the
Dalai Lama was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize
The day before the start of summer retreat Five-day break after the end of
summer retreat Nganpa dgu 'zoms festival
Indian Independence Day
The Anniversary of Ngagyur Nyingma College
The Anniversary of Ogmin Ogyen Mindrolling
Monastery in India
The day after the end of annual examinations.
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