Iba Brochure 2007

2006 © International Buddhist Academy

T

he International Buddhist Academy (IBA) was founded by Khenchen Appey Rinpoche to give people from all over the world the opportunity to study the true Dharma. Since 2001 the IBA has been conducting a yearly three month programme. Courses are conducted in English and translation facilities are available for non-English speaking groups. Courses offered are selected from the principal texts of the five subjects studied in Tibetan Buddhist monastic colleges from all traditions: Perfection of Wisdom, Middle Way Philosophy, Phenomenology, Logic and Moral Discipline. Each year the IBA aims to teach one philosophy text and one pith instruction text supporting practice. These two courses are designed to complement each other, thus providing a balanced approach between understanding the profound meaning of the Buddha’s teachings and applying it in ones life.

“

T

here is immense benefit in studying Buddhism in the country where the Buddha was born and where his blessings are still being transmitted through an unbroken lineage for over 2500 years. Throughout Nepal, there are literally thousands of holy sites, stupas and shrines which the students can visit on their free day. IBA is only a short walk from Boudhanath Stupa, which is surrounded by monasteries where many high lamas of all Tibetan traditions live and teach. The area around Boudhanath Stupa offers many modern conveniences, including ATM, internet and laundry services. There are several supermarkets catering for most needs and first class medical facilities employing both foreign and local staff.

Only the Dharma can eradicate all suffering and accomplish permanent happiness.

We offer a 10-day residential retreat to give students the opportunity to learn the practice of contemplation and meditation from an experienced master. The courses cater to students at all levels of academic experience and Buddhist study and practice. This diversity contributes to a stimulating and enriching environment. It is a joy to interact with dharma students from various walks of life, many countries, different traditions and of all ages.

The modern IBA campus houses a large teaching hall, spacious classrooms, basketball and badminton courts, beautiful lawns and comfortable, furnished bedrooms with balconies overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. Many students bring a laptop computer to facilitate their studies and wireless internet is available for their convenience. For the peace of mind of the students the IBA campus has guards on duty 24 hours a day. There is a state-of-the-art water filtration system and the kitchen staff provides a variety of healthy vegetarian and nonvegetarian Nepali, Tibetan and Western dishes. IBA provides a perfect environment for study, contemplation and meditation. A precious opportunity awaits you. w w w . s a k y a i b a . e d u . n p

”

Course Schedule

2010

Opening the Door to All Knowable Objects: Aggregates, Spheres of Perception and Sources of Perception, by Kunkhyen Gorampa. (1 month)

This is the commentary on the ‘meaning’ to both the upper and lower Abhidharmas. The study of Abhidharma instills the basic and precise knowledge of all phenomena, which is an indispensable aid to developing wisdom, especially regarding the conventional nature of all knowable objects.

2007

a. The Entrance Gate for the Wise (Section III): Sakya Pandita (1 month)

Ten Day Residential Retreat - June 5 - 14

This chapter on pramana, elucidated the Indian and Tibetan Traditions of valid cognition, logical reasoning and philosophical debate.

Illuminating the Sage’s Intent, by Sakya Pandita - June 16 - July 15

This work, one of the seven major logic texts composed by Dharmakirti, clarifies the teachings in Dignaga’s Pramanasamuccaya. To this day, it remains one of the most referred to Indian texts on Buddhist logic.

Group sessions under the guidance of a qualified master, based on the meditations in “The Triple Vision” or on the teachings on the “Parting from the Four Attachments.” The retreat introduces progressively challenging meditations of the gradual Mahayana tradition. This great work clearly and concisely sets forth the entire Mahayana path and result, based on the teachings contained in two verses of the Mahayanasutralamkara. It details the stages of the bodhisattva path from its commencement up to complete enlightenment, following the great teaching tradition of the early Kadampas.

Ornament of Discourses (Mahayanasutralamkara) by Maitreya - July 17 - Sept. 15

This text is regarded as a clarification of both the definitive and provisional Mahayana sutras. It primarily presents the essential nature of the mind of living beings and its relation to the potential for enlightenment, the buddha nature within all of us. It explains in detail the practice of the six paramitas inspiring us to develop our practice with clarity.

2008

The Moonlight Distinguishing the Views, by Kunkhyen Gorampa (1 month)

This text is praised due to its clarity in identifying and critiquing the three major interpretations of Madhyamika philosophy which developed in Tibet, comparing these approaches with the classical Indian sources. Studying this text instills a correct understanding of the Madhyamika view, particularly regarding the definition of inexpressibility and emptiness.

Abhidharmakosha, by Acharya Vasubhandu (the first two chapters) (2 months)

This is the key text used for the study of abhidharma within the Tibetan traditions due to its systematic and exhaustive treatment of ontology, psychology, cosmology, causality, states of consciousness, etc. It is an indispensable text for all students of philosophy and is considered a vital part of the Buddhist path. As was said by Buddhaghosha, “Those who study the Abhidhamma literature experience unending joy and serenity of mind.”

2009

Bodhicaryavatara of Shantideva (Bodhisattva’s way of life) (1 month)

This is a classic Mahayana Buddhist text that is used widely by all the Mahayana Traditions. There is no other text that has been quoted so often by the great masters due to its clarity and direct presentation of the view and practice of the Bodhisattva path, encapsulated in the six perfections.

General Meaning of the Middle [View] by Kunkhyen Gorampa (2 months)

This is a unique exposition of the Madhyamika philosophy. It consists basically of teachings on base-Madhyamaka, path-Madhyamaka and result-Madhyamaka.

b. Pramanavartika by Acharya Dharmakirti (second chapter) (1 month)

2011

Four hundred Verses of Madhyamaka by Aryadeva (1 month)

This text is divided into two sections: the first eight chapters are a detailed commentary on the methods of seeing correct relative truth rather than the false conceptions that plague ordinary persons. The second eight chapters are a detailed commentary on how to study, contemplate and meditate in order to realize ultimate truth.

Two short works by Kunkhyen Gorampa (2 months) a. Separate Presentation on the Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination

This text provides a thorough explanation of the process by which ordinary sentient beings are bound to samsara through the sequential arising of the twelve links of interdependent origination, and the way in which practitioners develop the ability to relinquish these fetters, one by one, in reverse order.

b. Thoroughly Illuminating Meditative Absorption

This text provides a thorough exposition on the one-pointed mental state, the basic foundation for producing and developing wisdom.

Tibetan Language Instruction

For those seeking a more complete understanding of the study texts, we offer Tibetan Language Instruction at various levels. Our daily classes provide an important opportunity for interested students to immerse themselves in this classical language while pursuing their Dharma studies.

Further Information

The 2007 programme will run from June 4th to September 15th. Students are welcome to attend any one of the courses or the entire programme. The cost is US$285 per month including tuition, room and three meals a day. Ordained monks and nuns receive a 25% discount. For non-resident students the cost of tuition is $95 per month. The Ten-Day Residential Retreat will run from June 5th to June 14th. The total cost is $70 which covers room and three meals a day. The cost of Tibetan Language Instruction is included in the course fee. The schedule and costs for future years is tentative and may be adjusted. Please visit the website to view our updated programme, costs, news and events.

extracts from “THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING BUDDHADHARMA” by Khenpo Appey

patron

His Holiness the Sakya Trizin is the 41st throne holder of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness has had an intensive education in all aspects of the major and minor sciences, and received the transmissions, teachings, and oral instructions of the vast collections of sutra and mantra teachings of Tibet, and has undertaken many retreats. He illuminates and inspires students from all traditions without partiality. His Holiness is an unsurpassable voice of the Buddha’s teaching and a source of refuge and joy for countless beings. “Many people are now interested in the Buddha’s teachings and it is very important for them to study properly in order to follow the Dharma correctly. In the IBA our aim is to give the facilities to those foreigners who are interested in studying the Buddha’s teachings. It is our wish that the IBA will become a great learning center where foreigners can come and study, contemplate, and meditate, so that eventually they will be able to accomplish the great realization.”

founder

Khenchen Appey Rinpoche has taught in distinguished institutions in Tibet and India. He is renowned for the precision, vastness and inspirational power of his teachings. His detailed knowledge of vast numbers of commentarial texts makes him an inreplaceable treasury of Buddha’s teachings. “The main objective of sentient beings in this universe is to avoid suffering and obtain happiness. This objective can only be partially and temporarily realised through worldly methods. Only the Dharma can eradicate all suffering and accomplish permanent happiness. So it is essential to practice Dharma. For this, it is important to first study and contemplate. Since many people in this age are interested in Tibetan Buddhism, I founded the IBA with the hope that they can study the Dharma and that it will flourish worldwide.”

teachers

O

nly the Buddhadharma is confirmed to be the path, which abandons samsara. This is because, although there are other teachings that explain samsara should be viewed as suffering, that know attachment as a fault, that discard bad Karma, that practice austerities and in which adepts receive various vows etc.; these methods alone cannot harm the root of samsara, so these teachings cannot reverse samsara. The root of the samsara is self-grasping and the antidote for that is the wisdom of apprehending selflessness. The selflessness to be understood by that wisdom is expounded only by Buddha. Moreover, the profound methods to obtain liberation and omniscience are also taught by Buddha alone. Emphasizing on meditation preceded by hearing and contemplation, and having the base of morality, is the Buddhist tradition. The Mahayana path must be completed with four characteristics: moral discipline, which is the cause of not being distracted; hearing, which is the cause of not being ignorant; contemplation, which is the cause of ascertainment; and meditation, which is the cause of parting from defilements. Hearing, contemplation and meditation referred to as the three wisdoms do not arise without each relying on the preceding ones. The Tripitaka which is confirmed to be truly the Buddha's words and the Shastras composed by Acharya Nagarjuna, Asangha, Vasubandhu, Shantideva and Chandrakirti, as Buddha intended, are the doctrine of the Buddha. Knowing that the Buddha’s doctrine is very difficult to find, that it has a grand purpose and that it is not going to remain for long, it is appropriate, for all those who have devotion, to listen and practice. By this teaching I wish to tell beings that if they listen well to the Dharma they will gain understanding, and as a result they will have delight in engaging in the practice, and thereby all their purposes will be accomplished.

Khenpo Jamyang Tenzin studied at Sakya College under Khenchen Appey Rinpoche until 1984 and later served as the acting Khenpo until 1989. He then undertook a three year retreat under the guidance of H.E. Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. He has been teaching philosophy and Tibetan language at his monastery in Mundgod, India, since 1994.

After understanding: what is the cause of attaining Buddhahood; what is the path which facilitates one to attain enlightenment; what are the characteristics of the resultant Buddhahood; what are the subjects that beginners should practice; and what are the indispensable Dharmas and how should they be practiced; then one should practice as much as one can.

Dr. Khenpo Ngawang Jorden studied the five branches of Buddhist philosophy at Sakya College in India under Khenchen Appey Rinpoche. Khenpo Jorden later taught at Sakya College before going to America to study at Harvard University where he completed his PhD in Buddhist Studies. In addition to his teaching commitment at the IBA, Khenpo Jorden is currently teaching at the University of Chicago in the USA.

Whatever the study may be, when you become accustomed to it, it will become easier and it will produce delight in your mind. Not only will it produce delight, it will also accomplish any task with ease. By having heard the dharma, you understand what needs to be understood, you abandon the things that need to be abandoned, and you cultivate the things that need to be cultivated; so it is certain that you will obtain that which needs to be obtained.