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Dzongsar
Institute (Chauntra, Himachal Pradesh, India) |
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The original Dzongsar Shedra was started by Khyentse Chokyi Lodrö in 1908 at Dzongsar, Dege District, in Kham, Tibet (now Sichuan, China). Under his guidance and through the teaching of many great Khenpos (Teachers), it quickly gained a reputation as a premier institution for Buddhist philosophy. The Shedra attracted many students and produced many great teachers. After 50 years, in 1957, the Shedra ceased operations and Khyentse Chokyi Lodrö moved to Gangtok in the Kingdom of Sikkim, where he passed away in 1959. In 1982, the new incarnation, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Gyatso, commenced to build Dzongsar Institute in Geylshing in Sikkim (now a state of India). With the arrival of Khenpo Kunga Wangchuk in 1983, after 23 years of imprisonment, teaching began again. In 1985, the new fledgling institute moved to a more suitable site at Bir in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Enrolment that year was about 40 students, and housing was in some old buildings and tents, with a large old water tank serving as a hall. In 1986 an accommodation block for 50 students was completed. By
1990, after a vigorous building program, the Institute
had a temple, three halls, library, office and some
more accommodation. The work was made possible by
donations from the Tibetan community and students
and friends of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse world-wide,
(as well as that of the support of the living needs
of the students and staff). In recent years, work
has continued mainly in the area of embellishment
and fitting out of the temple and halls, and reorganising
existing buildings to increase housing capacity. |
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The Institute has an intensive study programme. The first 4 years concentrate on the Philosophy of the Madyamika - "The Middle Way" which is seen by the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism as the central philosophy of the Lord Buddha's teachings. The original texts are of Indian origin, translated into Tibetan. Further commentaries both by early Indian scholars and their later Tibetan heirs are studied to assist in the understanding of the sutras and treatises. In each year the students undertake two major texts or commentaries together with minor subjects such as logic, grammar, the study of the vows of novice monks, and poetry. As well as study, the understanding of the philosophy is exersised in daily debating sessions. Debate in the Tibetan tradition has honed the perceptions and comprehension of many minds with it's rigorous logic and attention to definition of terms. Yet it's physical melodramatics and occasional humour, used to make a proposition or argument, seem at times a contrast to the common perception of Buddhist scholars as reclusive and quietly studious. Some of the main texts studied are:
Successful completion of the next 3 years of study qualifies the student for the award of the Shastri Degree. This involves further study of root texts and commentaries on philosophy and moral conduct. The final 2 years of study, culminating in the Acharya Degree, concentrate on higher understanding with texts such as:
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The quality of the Institute's teaching and its subsequent reputation has resulted in great pressue to accept more students into the program of the 9 year degree course. With the graduation of some students, and from them, the appointment of some new, very talented Khenpos, there now exists the human resources to admit more students. Unfortunately, the physical resources are already under great strain with increased enrolments. In 1990, accommodation and facilities such as kitchens and toilets were on par with student and staff numbers. However, enrolment has increased considerably since that time. Such is the strong desire to teach and to learn that students have undergone many hardships: rooms built for 2 are now occupied by 3; a store room has been converted to sleep 6 and the dining hall converted to a dormitory for 12; one of the kitchens has moved outside in the open and further students billeted in the adjoining village. The teachers, students and staff have all taken the resources available and have turned Dzongsar Institute into the renowned and academically vibrant institution that its predecessor in Tibet was famous for. Great effort and many generous donations have made this possible. Not only has Dzongsar Institute in Bir been firmly established, but the Dzongsar Shedra in Sichuan, China has been rebuilt and recommenced operation in 1988. Prior to this another smaller institute was opened in East Bhutan in 1986 and now offers education to 50 monks. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche continues to emphasize the strong tradition of philosophy as one of the main foundations of Buddhism, and with the support of Siddhartha's Intent, devotes many resources to education. In 1996 Dzongsar Institute in Bir, H.P., India commenced an ambitious development plan to double the size of the Institute and upgrade existing infrastructure to accommodate the present enrolment. In July 1997 the first accommodation block will be finished, providing housing and facilities for 44 monks. Subsequent planned development includes a large assembly hall, further accommodation and a new kitchen block in a logical framework in which to meet future expansion. |
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If you are interested in knowing more about the educational activities of Dzongsar Institute, or how you can assist in further development, please contact:
Or please contact:
Dzongsar
Institute website [Chinese language]: www.chokyilodro.org  |
