Purpose of Buddhist Studies

The true gateway to Buddhism is the study of the Buddha's Word. Four things characterize an authentic Buddhist practitioner. The first characteristic is extensive study of the Buddha's teachings, the second is to contemplate the meaning of what one has studied until one aquires a definitive understanding, the third is to cultivate that understanding in the practise of meditation and the fourth is to uphold the Buddhist code of ethics that one has committed oneself to uphold. The code of ethics may be that of the path of Individual Liberation, the Bodhisattva-Path or the Path of the Buddhist Tantras.

The Indian Buddhist master Vasubhandu said: "Apply yourself to me-di-tation on the basis of study, contemplation and upholding ethics."

One should not regard study, contemplation and meditation as separate activities because that would bring about misperceptions of Buddhism and its principles. Thus, H. H. the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpa'i Dorje established the Karmapa Institute, so that proper practise of the Buddhist path can occur. As the Institute attracts an international student body is has become a place where buddhists from the East and the West can exchange viewpoints and experiences so that a broader understanding of Buddhism develops.

• B u d d h i s t - P h i l o s o p h y

We tend to assume that our conditioned view of things is reality. Buddhist philosophy shows us that such presumption is mistaken. Thus it gives us insight into the nature of phenomena. On the basis of that insight we can relinquish the obscuring states of mind that generate samsara's suffering and attain freedom from samsaric states.

First year students study "The Ornament of Mahayana Sutras" (Mahayanasutra-lankara; mdo sde rgyan) by Maitreya/Asanga. This text is a synopsis of 21 Mahayana Sutras and it explains the different stages of the path to buddha, the enlightened state.

Second year students study the Madhyamaka Ornament (Madhya-makalankara; dbu ma rgyan), composed by Shantarakshita, one of the great Indian masters who brought Buddhism to Tibet. It discusses the distinctions between relative and absolute reality according to the Citta-matra and Madhyamaka systems in the framework of the Buddhist Theory of Knowledge.

Third year students study Engaging in the Middle Way (Madhyamak-avatara; dbu ma la 'jug pa) by Chandrakirti, with commentaries by Chandra-kirti and the eighth Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje. This treatise describes the ten bodhisattva levels, and buddha, the enlightened state, according to the Madhya-maka tradition. Chapter six is studied in great detail as it explains the paramita of wisdom, insight into emptiness, the fact that both the individual and all other phenomena are essenceless, insubstantial and unreal. Logic and analysis are the basis for generating a definitive understanding of emptiness. Thus, the process of reasoning is a distinct feature of this treatise.

Fourth year students study two texts: The Mahayana Uttara Tantra Shastra (rgyud bla ma) by Maitreya/Asanga with a commentary by Jamgön Lodrö Thaye. This treatise has five chapters comprising seven points: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, Buddha-Nature, Enlightenment, Qualities of Enlightenment and Buddha Activity. The Uttara Tantra Shastra is regarded as a treatise that links the Sutrayana with the Tantrayana.

The philosophy classes of the second, third and fourth years are taught alternately so that the students of these three years study in one group.

• T i b e t a n - L a n g u a g e

The language program includes both literary and spoken Tibetan. The aim is to enable students to read and translate classical Tibetan Buddhist texts, and to communicate with native speakers. Student-teacher interaction is emphasized, with a focus on developing skills in reading and understanding the classical scriptures.

• W e e k l y - S c h e d u l e

The classes are on a five day a week basis. Buddhist Phi-losophy and Tibetan Language are taught daily; meditations classes are held twice a week.

• F e e s

Cost for room and board ranges from (US)$1272 to $1896 for the academic year (from October to March), depending on the type of room the student chooses. This also includes a library membership. The fees are subject to a 6 % yearly increase.

• D a t e s

Fall Semesters: October 19th to December 20th

Spring Semesters: January 5th to March 15th

Students may attend the full academic year or just one semester. When attending just one semester, students of the first year are advised to come in the fall, as it would be difficult to begin half way through the program.