Advanced full-time Buddhist study for serious students
This programme of advanced teachings is based on the FPMT Basic Programme and the Masters Programme designed by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, spiritual head of the FPMT, the international organisation of which Chenrezig Institute is part. It was created as an opportunity for students with some previous experience of Buddhist philosophy to deepen their understanding through in-depth study of various subjects within both the sutra and tantra paths to enlightenment.
The courses comprise teachings from our very learned resident teacher, Lharampa Geshe Lobsang Jamyang, tutorials with Venerable Tsewang, a Basic Progrmme Graduate, discussions and debating and analytical meditation on the material being studied. Students are required to attend full-time, are expected to commit to extra hours of study and to sit for regular tests and complete assignments. Graded certificates are conferred at the end of each subject.
In addition to providing high quality education for lay students, this programme offers a wonderful opportunity to western sangha who receive the teachings completely free of charge. We are happy to be supporting the education of our precious sangha in this way, and creating teachers of the future for our growing number of centres throughout the world.
The FPMT Basic Programme has 9 required subjects plus 3 supplementary ones. The Chenrezig Institute Buddhist Studies Programme covers all of these 12 subjects plus 2 more, highly recommended by Geshe Tashi Tsering, former resident teacher and founder of the advanced programme at Chenrezig Institute.
The subjects are: Basic Programme Required Subjects
The Bodhisattva's Way of Life
Mind and Cognition
Buddhist Tenets
Mahayana Mind Training
The Ornament of Clear Realisation
The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim)
The Sublime Continuum
The Heart Sutra
The Tantric Grounds and Paths
Basic Programme Supplementary Subjects
Seventy Topics
Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth
A Highest Yoga Tantra Commentary
Extra Chenrezig Buddhist Studies Programme Subjects
Thus the Chenrezig Institute Buddhist Studies programme comprises 14 subjects taught over a 4-5 year period (depending on the length of individual modules). Subjects are taught during modules that vary from 4 - 8 weeks in length and students attend full-time from 9.00am to 4.00pm four days per week.
This programme is an advanced level of study and it is assumed that students are prepared to learn some of the terminology and concepts taught in previous semesters. There are no firm pre-requisites for the courses (except in the case of tantric teachings) but in order to gain benefit from the teachings and in order not to disturb the progress of the class, a certain level of understanding is very beneficial
Many homestudy packages have been prepared from previous modules and are now made available and students are encouraged to prepare through following some of these packages and through extra recommended reading.
Costs: a moderate course fee (at the current rate of approx. $60 pw for a full module) is charged to help cover the costs of providing the teachings (there is no course fee charged to ordained sangha)
Accommodation is available at the centre at various rates, discounted for full time study programme students.
Meals are also available from the centre's cafe and some accommodation has cooking facilities for students.
If you have any inquiries or special needs regarding your study, accommodation costs and payment, please
Preparing for the Masters Programme
We have completed the third round of teachings in the Buddhist Studies Programme with great rejoicing! What an amazing achievement – 15 years of intensive study of the most important texts, advised by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, encouraged by His Holiness Dalai Lama and taught by our precious teachers, Geshe Tashi Tsering and Geshe Lobsang Jamyang – assisted by various wonderful tutors. Over the 15 years well over 300 people have attended one or more of our study programme modules and in 2008 we congratulated our first group of graduates – students who had successfully completed all the core subjects at the centre, the retreat commitments and the final exam set by FPMT. And in March 2012 the original 9 students will be joined by another five.
Now we take a break from the Basic Programme subjects to devote an extended period to the study of the Middle Way view.
In 2012/13 we are offering teachings on Madhyamaka, at the level of the FPMT Masters Programme, Those who satisfactorily complete this teaching will receive full credit should they wish to continue the Masters Programme here or at another FPMT centre.
Dates are not yet quite finalised for these teachings but we are currently planning to offer three modules in 2012 starting in mid to late June and finishing early December – seven week modules with breaks between them for consolidation and meditation (and rest).
Then in 2013 we shall schedule 4 longer modules, two in the early part of the year and two in the second half, allowing for our Geshe’s break in the middle of the year.
It is expected that course fees for these modules will be kept at or around the current BSP rate of approximately $60 per week. As always full-time students will be offered reductions on accommodation and meal prices and there will be the possibility of further reductions on course fees through work exchange and in cases of hardship.
We shall keep people informed about developments as soon as these dates become firmer.
Masters Programme Prerequisites
Students should have studied and meditated upon the Graduated Path to Enlightenment (lam-rim) either through CI advanced programme study of Lam Rim Chen Mo, through the annual Lam Rim Retreat offered each January, or through attendance at a Kopan one-month course or similar.
Students will also need to have a satisfactory level of understanding of both Lorig (Mind and Awareness/Minds and Mental Factors) and Drupta (Buddhist Tenets) at Basic Programme level.
There are three ways to complete these pre-requisites (if you have not already done so). You can:
Attend the teachings offered at Chenrezig Institute (see below)
Complete the Homestudy packages offered by Chenrezig Institute
Complete the Homestudy packages offered by FPMT either on dvd or through their online learning.
All such courses should be completed in full and evidence of having completed the tests with a reasonable understanding of the material presented to the course coordinator with application to attend the Madhyamaka teachings. Details of the courses scheduled at the centre to help you meet the prerequisites continue over the page.
Scheduled at the Centre to help you meet the Prerequisites
Jampa Ignyen, our teacher for this course, was the first tutor of CI’s Buddhist Studies Programme which he helped to establish. He was a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition for 20 years spending much of that time studying all the major texts and completing his Geshe Studies at Sera Monastic University in India. He holds a PhD from Latrobe University and is currently a translator for the Institute of Tibetan Classics. As well, he is a wonderfully clear and kind teacher, able to bring his vast understanding into simple terms for his students. We are most fortunate to have him return to teach this course. The course sessions are scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays (four days per week) from 9am – 4pm. Each day includes teaching sessions, review/discussion sessions, and meditation. Students who wish to use this as the prerequisite for the Madhyamaka teachings will be expected to attend all sessions and sit for exams in weeks 2 and 3.
Facility fee $300 (10% discount for FPMT members and concession card holders) Sangha – no charge. Full-time participants receive discounts on accommodation and meals. Registration Form
Kopan Downunder - a lam-rim retreat 2nd January to 15th January 2012 Chenrezig Institute’s annual lam-rim retreat taught by Geshe Lobsang Jamyang with tutorials and discussion sessions led by Ven. Tenzin Tsepal. Join us for the annual lam-rim retreat to receive:
a structured overview of the teachings from the Buddha as arranged in the lam-rim (the graduated path to enlightenment)
precise teachings on topics like karma, rebirth, and emptiness
instruction on how to meditate
and the inspiration to carry on with a daily practice after the retreat to transform your life.
The retreat is structured to combine teaching, discussion, meditation, and karma yoga.
Students receive the fundamentals on how to make every day more meaningful through understanding the nature of mind. Facility fee: $390. 10% discount for FPMT members & concession card holders. Sangha – no charge. The Institute offers 15% off all meals and accommodation for those attending the full retreat.More information and registration form
Buddhist Tenets (Drupta) 13th February to 6th April 2012 (8 weeks) Geshe Jamyang will teach this overview of the assertions of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and how they view reality in all its aspects. This is an essential basis for all Buddhist study which is emphasized by all our teachers. Assisted by Ven. Tsewang as tutor, Geshe-la will introduce us to the various views and encourage traditional Tibetan debate methods to help us clarify our understanding.
Facility fee $480 (10% discount for FPMT members and concession card holders) Sangha – no charge. Full-time participants receive discounts on accommodation and meals.
Registration Form
Homestudy Options
In-centre study, with a teacher and tutor, and the possibility of asking questions and discussing with other students is of course always preferable, but those students unable to attend courses in person will be able to complete the requirements though study at home. In this case students should study the materials fully and complete all the test papers under test conditions (on a honesty system – we do not require supervision). They should then send the completed papers to us (for sighting not correction).
Homestudy packagesdeveloped by Chenrezig Institute Buddhist Studies Programme or FPMT will be accepted.
To order the Chenrezig Institute materials . For FPMT packages go to the FPMT Shop website.
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Quotation
Humans prepare for the future all their lives, yet meet the next life totally unprepared.
-Drakpa Gyaltsen
