Certificate in Buddhist Studies
Introduction
A 3-year full time residential Buddhist studies course based on the sutra and tantra texts traditionally studied in the Tibetan Buddhist Kagyu tradition.
Shangpa Rinpoche envisioned and designed this course to meet the needs of students from all over the world to gain an in-depth understanding of the Dharma. This course is based on an integrated and systematic approach that incorporates study with lots of opportunities for discussion and meditation on what one has learned.
Taught by fully-qualified Khenpo's (teachers) with translation into English by an experienced translator.
This course consists of 2 semesters in a year, commencing in November and ending in February / March.
After the completion of the three-year course, students who wish to progress further can choose to continue with the optional 4th and 5th year courses.
Course Syllabus
Listed below is a summary of the course subjects for year 1 to year 5. For detailed explanations of the course syllabus, please refer to Detailed Course Syllabus:
| Subject Code | Course Subject |
|---|---|
| BP 101 | The Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Chapters 1-10) |
| BP 102 | The Two Truths (Satyadvayavatara) |
| BP 103 | The Thirty-Seven Practices of the Bodhisattva |
| LA 101 | Tibetan Language |
| MR 101 | Meditation and Rituals |
| Subject Code | Course Subject |
|---|---|
| BP 201 | The Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Chapters 11-21) |
| BP 202 | The Heart Sutra |
| BP 203 | The 9th Chapter of Bodhicharyavatara. |
| LA 201 | Tibetan Language |
| MR 201 | Introduction to Sanskrit |
| Subject Code | Course Subject |
|---|---|
| BP 301 | Buddhist History |
| BP 302 | The Madhyamika Avatara Prajna |
| LA 301 | Tibetan Language |
| Subject Code | Course Subject |
|---|---|
| BP 401 and 501 | Uttara Tantra Shastra by Maitreya |
The Institute reserves the right to make any amendments and/or changes to the program if warranted by circumstances beyond its control.
Current Course Calender
| Date | Program Details | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Nov 08 - 23 Dec 08 | 1st Semester | |
| 24 Dec 08 - 01 Jan 09 | Term break | |
| 02 Jan 09 - 05 Feb 09 | 2nd Semester |
This will be Year 4 of the long course and the subject studied will be the Uttara Tantra Shastra by Maitreya
Archive of Previous Years Intakes
| Date | Program Details | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 07 - 23 Dec 07 | 1st Semester | |
| 24 Dec 07 - 01 Jan 08 | Term break | |
| 02 Jan 08 - 05 Feb 08 | 2nd Semester |
| Day | Program Details | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Oct - 22 Dec 06 | 1st Semester | |
| 23 Dec 06 - 01 Jan 07 | Term break | |
| 02 Jan 07 - 11 Mar 07 | 2nd Semester | Including 10 days break for the Tibetan New Year |
| Day | Program Details | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 05 - 31 Oct 05 | Registration and Orientation | |
| 01 Nov 05 - 24 Dec 05 | 1st Semester | |
| 25 Dec 05 - 01 Jan 06 | Term break | |
| 02 Jan 06 - 11 Mar 06 | 2nd Semester | Including 10 days break for the Tibetan New Year |
| 12 Mar 06 | 2005/06 Long Course Ends |
Orientation
During the orientation period, all paperwork relating to the student enrolment and visa applications will be processed. Students will also be introduced to the Course and the Institute. They will also be furnished with information on living in Nepal. There will also be meetings with the resident Khenpos and lamas of the Institute.
Admission Criteria
Candidates must be above 18 years old and have the deep interest in furthering their spiritual development. Candidates whose native language is not English must show minimum proficiency in reading and understanding written English.
Registration Procedure and Deadlines
How to Register
To register, please submit the completed registration form (word doc) via email to: info@kirtipur.org or admin.kibs@gmail.com, or write to the address:
The Administrator
Kagyu Institute of Buddhist Studies
G.P.O. Box 3157,
Dev Doka,
Ward No 2,
Kirtipur,
Kathmandu,
Nepal
Telephone
977-1-4331679
Fax
977-1-4332877
Acknowledgement and Payment
Applicants whose applications are accepted will receive an e-mail confirmation outlining their payment details.
If you do not receive such an acknowledgement within 2 weeks from the date of submitting your registration form, please notify us via email.
Late applicants may still be admitted to the program but such admissions will not be guaranteed.
Deadlines
Please note that completed registration forms must be received at least one month before closing date to guarantee a place for this admission year 2007 / 2008.
Cancellation and Withdrawal
The Institute reserves the right to make any amendments or changes to the programme including delay the commencement of the programmes or withdraw all the programmes altogether if warranted by circumstances beyond its control. In the event of such withdrawal of the program by the institute, you will receive a full refund of the course fee paid.
If you wish to cancel your registration, notification must be made in writing and sent either by email or post. Requests for withdrawals and refunds will be treated on a case-by-case basis, and be subjected to approval by the Institute.
All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Part-time Students
You can enroll as a part-time student if you wish to attend only some of the courses. Please contact the Administrator for information about part-time course fees.
We have this general information here as a Word document for your convenience.