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Ngagyur Nyingma College an University of
Advanced Buddhist Studies
About the university
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 Min-drolling 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:
- Vinaya (discipline)
- Abhidharma (metaphysics)
- Sutra (discourses)
- Mantrapitaka
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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1. If an applicant is non-ordained, he has to receive ordination
with keen aspiration from a vinaya Master.
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2. 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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3. He must respect the rules and regulations of the Institute,
and follow them earnestly.
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4. 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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5. Monks from other monasteries should bear a letter of introduction
from the head of their concerned monastery.
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6. 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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7. Only eligible applicant can take a written entrance examination,
and the Examination Board will decide the final selection.
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8. Once admitted, one should diligently perform any duties
assigned by the head of the monastery and of the Institute,
teachers and Gekko (disciplinarian).
Course of Studies and Certificates
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1. 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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2. 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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3. 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'.
- 4. 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'.
The
Venerable Khunu Rinpoche
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5. 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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6. 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.
The Code of Conduct
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1. Monk should always be dressed in the robes of an ordained
monk in accordance with the Vinaya Sutra.
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2. Any activity not conforming to the vows of a novice monk
such as; singing and dancing, are prohibited.
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3. One is not allowed to go out on leave without a valid reason
except once a month.
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4. If needed, one can do so after getting permission from the
proper authorities.
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5. On breaking the rule, one will be disciplined accordingly
and must make a commitment to not repeat the same.
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6. Should follow all the rules specified in the Rules and Regulations
Handbook.
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7. Formation of any kinds of committee or group is not allowed,
unless consented by the head of the monastery.
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8. Two-hour outing is allowed on every Sunday.
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9. Once in a month on Saturday, a half-day outing is allowed.
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10.All rules mentioned above are subject to change by the management
at any time.
To be Eligible for the Annual Examination
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1. The minimum of 80% attendance in a year is required.
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2. Should memorize 10 pages of root text within a specific
period of time.
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3. Shouldn't take any books in the examination hall.
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4. Shouldn't indulge in cheating during exam and if caught,
one is not allowed to take exam for that year.
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5. On misbehaving with anyone of the management committee,
one is barred from the examination of that year.
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6. Failing in two consecutive examinations will deprive one
from continuing his studies in the institute.
The Examination Board Committee
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1. The Examination Board Committee (EBC) will notify the schedule
of examination on a month prior to the examination.
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2. It has to request the concerned Institutes and Scholars
to set up question papers.
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3. The committee should maintain question papers confidentially.
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4. In the event leakage during printing, it must acquire new
question papers.
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5. 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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6. It has to announce the results of the examination 15 days
before the starting of a new session.
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7. The Board has to declare the date of announcement of examination
results prior to the vacation.
Vacation
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1. 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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2. One should come back from vacation within the specified
reporting time.
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3. 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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4. The announcement of the results will be on 10th of 4th lunar-month.
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5. Failing to return on the day of announcing the results will
suspend one from the Institute for a period of one year.
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.
Retreat Centre
Drubde Od-salling
Drubde Od-salling is the retreat center. Here, monks undertake
retreats of various lengths including the three years and three
months solitary retreat. Before going into retreat, they are given
teachings, initiations and special instructions on meditation by
Rinpoches.
Samten Tse Retreat Center
Samten Tse Retreat Center was established in the year 1993 as a
branch of Min-drolling for nuns and those from other countries interested
in doing retreat. Samten Tse is situated in Mussoorie in the Shivalik
hills of the Himalayas and is headed by the Venerable
Khandro Rinpoche. About 30 nuns from India, Tibet, Bhutan and
Nepal study and practice the Dharma at Samten Tse. Nuns are taught
recitation, calligraphy, grammar, philosophy, rituals, playing ritual
instruments and English. They also undertake retreats of various
lengths. Practitioners from Europe, Canada and the US also visit
Samten Tse for study. The Center is registered as Samten Tse Charitable
Society.
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