Nyingma Institute “Taktse”

Nyingma means the old and ancient one. The Buddhism that was spread in Tibet during the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries is called Nyingma. During those centuries, the Tibetan Kings Songtsen, Gompo, Trisong Deotsen and Triralpachen invited Padmasambhava, Shanta Rakshitta and many other masters from India to Tibet. The masters gave all the initiations, instructions, oral transmissions and teachings of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana to Tibetan students. With practice many of the students attained enlightenment and developed siddhis within their lifetimes. Even now, we can find the genuine, original tradition of Nyingma all over the world. Thus, Nyingma is the earliest form of Tibetan Buddhism and expounds the original teachings and traditions of Buddhism. Nyingma is also the original Buddhism of Sikkim, as the four great Sikkimese masters (Ngaljor Cheth shi) were Nyingma practitioners.

H.H. Rigzin Dorje Rinpoche founded Nyingma Institute-Thekgue Lekeshei Ling (Higher Buddhist Studies and Research Centre) on June 4th 1988 to assure the preservation and promulgation of Buddhist doctrine in general and the Nyingma tradition in particular. While the primary sponsor for the Institute was Tartang Tulku Rinpoche, H.H. Rigzin Dorje Rinpoche has for many years single-handedly run the higher education institute. It is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to men’s spiritual education and striving to ensure a solid moral foundation for the community.

With 20 years of pioneering commitment to its field, the Nyingma Institute, Taktse is a centre for providing quality education in Higher Buddhist Studies and Philosophy. The course includes Philosophy, Literature, Metaphysics, Logic, Tantric Studies, Ritual Prayers, Meditation Practices and English, and is dedicated to providing a wholesome education. Its education system encompasses the whole spectrum of education right up to the research level. A nine year-course is equivalent to an M.A. in secular studies. After completing the nine year-course on these diverse subjects, students will receive an M.A in Philosophy. To obtain a PhD students may elect to complete three more years of research. After this, conferral of the highest degree of Khenpo will be bestowed to candidates with outstanding personal qualities and teaching ability. While this monastic college offers courses according to the Nyingma tradition, it resembles the ancient monastic University of Nalanda. Monks have to master several religious texts before they graduate.

The institute is fully residential and provides free accommodation, clothing and stationery. Its purpose is to spread Lord Buddha’s message of peace and non-violence in the world. It strives to provide not only academic training but also an all-round education through physical, practical, intellectual and moral training. Since it is a residential institute, all the khenpos and loppons stay with the students so that they may receive a closely supervised monastic education.

Moreover, the students have the option to take English lessons as an additional subject to facilitate better communication when conducting classes and interacting with others in the future.

Since it is a renowned study centre and produces scholars and teachers of high calibre, Nyingma Institute, Taktse attracts hundreds of students from the South-East Asian region (from countries such as Taiwan, Burma, India, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet), and also from Europe. The renowned philosopher and Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile, Samdong Rinpoche, told his western audiences: “Nyingma has two expert institutes for higher Buddhist Studies: one in South India and one in Gangtok, Sikkim, which are both highly regarded.”

Through the noble guidance and prophecy of Root Guru Kyabje Jadral Rinpoche, who also bestowed the name Ngagyur Tholop Thekgue Lekshei Ling, the Institute was shifted to Sikkim in 1996. The Dharma King Wangchuk Namgyal of Sikkim invited and sponsored the establishment of the Nyingma Institute in Taktse with the goal of preserving and disseminating the holy Dharma in general, and particularly for the benefit of the people of Sikkim. During the last ten to twelve years many scholars from Sikkim have graduated from this institute. It is because the monks from this institute cater to the various spiritual needs of the people that the institute has received much praise and admiration.

All the working committees are composed of volunteers. It is a result of their hard work and dedication that we have fruitful academic sessions and a smooth-running administrative system. The institution emphasizes the importance of selecting teachers that are highly qualified both in terms of knowledge and personal morality.

• There are two administrative boards of staff: Higher Administrative Board of Staff and Lower Administrative Board of Staff.
  • The Higher Administrative Board of Staff consists of the Principal as the chair person, a senior monk disciplinarian, an account and a clerk.
  • Lower administrative board consists of Rinpoche as the chair person, a clerk, two students’ representatives, a prayer leader (um-zcy), and the person in charge of the student store..
• A meeting will be held once every month to review past events and to make improvements for the future.
• Important decisions taken during the meeting shall be forwarded to the head of the Institute for approval.
• In the unlikely case of internal problems, the board of administration staff shall try to solve the problem, and in case it cannot be settled internally, it will be forwarded to the Head of the Institute for the final decision.

• The board consists of three members- Rinpoche as the head controller assisted by a senior monk disciplinarian and the clerk of the Institute.
• Students taking an examination must fill out the form one month before and submit it to the Institute.
• Question Bank shall invite question papers from various experts outside the Institute and the answer scripts will go to them confidentially.
• Upon receipt of the question papers, they shall be opened in presence of the members of the board of the exam controller.
• In case of the leakage of the question papers, the exam shall be cancelled and new question papers created.
• It is necessary to take up a complete year’s course to be eligible for the exams.
• It is a must to memorize 25 pages of root verses to qualify for the exams.
• If anyone is found using unfair means in the exam hall their exam shall be cancelled altogether.
• The minimum attendance required is 80% to sit for the exams.
• If a student fails consecutively for 3 years in the same class he shall not be given the chance to pursue higher studies.
• Results will be declared 10 days before the new academic session

• After the fourth year a successful student shall be awarded the certificate of Madhyama which is equivalent to Higher Secondary education.
• After the seventh year he shall be awarded the certificate of Shastri, which is equivalent to a B.A.
• After the ninth year he shall be awarded the certificate of Acharya, which is equivalent to an M.A.
• After completing the nine-year course, candidates who have achieved a profound understanding of the philosophy and who are qualified as scholars and practitioners will be provided an opportunity to complete three additional years of research, after which they will be offered the highest degree of Khenpo (equivalent to a Ph.D.).
• After completion of the learning and reflection process in the Institute, if a candidate intends to stay in retreat for three years, he shall be offered the title of Dorje Lo-Pon.
• Upon being awarded degrees at the convocation ceremony, scholars shall commit to benefiting sentient beings and working zealously for the preservation and propagation of the Buddha-Dharma.

• Only ordained monks or those intending to receive ordination are eligible for admission to the Institute.
• One must take on a commitment to adhere to the rules and regulations laid down by the Institute.
• Students seeking admission to the Institute are required to submit a Class 8 passed certificate in Tibetan from the Head of School; otherwise they will have to pass an assessment consisting of both a written and oral test conducted by the Institute.
• The age requirement for students seeking admission to the shedra is above 18 and below 40.
• Students must obtain medical certificates.
• It is compulsory to complete the entire course as prescribed by the Institute.
• Students can seek admission only in the first year of secondary education, or ninth grade (beginning of the Madhyama course). It is because the Institute specializes in Higher Buddhist Philosophy, which is covered at a more advanced level than is common in other Buddhist institutes and universities, that students are admitted to the secondary school program at 18 years of age.
Students who do not possess the above requirements and do not pass the entrance examination are considered unqualified to seek admission in the first year of shedra education. Students as young as 15 years old may, however, be enrolled in the preliminary course (sngon’gro), which is equivalent to sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The preliminary course will prepare them for entry into the first year of secondary education.

SNGON’GRO (Preliminary Course; 6TH, 7TH, And 8TH Grades) MAIN SUBJECTS

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva	by	dNgul – Chu Thogs -Med
2	Grammar (Ngag-sDron)	by	dPel Khang Lo-Tsawa

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Spelling for Immature (dGvatsul-Karika’s commentary)	by	aJam-mGom Mi-Pham Rinpoche
2	Wish Fulfilling Tree of Gold Explanation (bJi Pai-Dag Yig)	by	aJigdrel Yeshi Dorjee
3	Lamp of Speech (Leks-bShed-Jon-dWang)	by	dYangchen-Drupai Dorjee

PURVA MADHYAMA YEAR I (Lower Secondary School Year I; 9TH Grade)

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Detailed Definition of the Three Vows (sDom-gSum rNam-Nges)	by	Maha pandit padma dWang-Gyal
	its commentary	by	Acharya Yon-Tan rGya-mTso
2	A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (Bodhisattva Charya Avatara)	by	Bodhisattava Shanti Dewa
	it commentary	by	Khenchen gZhen-Phen Chos-ki sNangwa

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Sutra on the Remembrance of the Three Jewels (Arya Ratna Traya Anusmriti)	by	Lord Buddha
	its commentary	by	aJam-mGom Mi-Pham Rinpoche
2	Praise of the Buddha (Bishestav)	by	Acharya Thotsun Dubje
	it commentary	by	Acharya Sherab Go-Cha
3	Religious History (part 1 & 2)		aJigdrel Yeshi Dorjee
4	Verse of Shramanena

PURVA MADHYAMA YEAR II (Lower Secondary School Year II; 10TH GRADE)

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Ornament of the Middle Way (Madhyamika Alankara	by	Abbot Shanta Rakshita
	its commentary	by	Mipham Rinpoche
2	Introduction to the Scholarship (Pandita Saya Nayum Avatar Mudha)	by	Mipham Rinpoche

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Brief Philosophical Point on Wish-fulfilling Treasures (Nges-shes Dronme)	by	Mipham Rinpoche
2	Clear Distinction of Philosophical View and Realisation (Byakaran Trinsh)	by	Acharya Sambhota
3	Religious History (part-3&4)	by	aJigdrel Yeshi Dorjee

UTTARA MADHYAMA YEAR I (Senior Secondary School Year I; 11TH GRADE)

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Entry to the Middle Way (Madhyamika Avatara)	by	Shree Chandra Kriti
	its commentary	by	Mipham Rinpoche
2	The Root of Madhyamika Wisdom (Pranjna Nama Mula Madhyamika)	by	Acharya Nagarjuna
	its commentary	by	Mipham Rinpoche

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Four Hundred Verses (on the Middle Way) (Chatur Shataka)	by	Acharya Arya Deva
	its commentary	by	Dho Ngag Tenpai Nima
2	Byakaran Linga Avatara	by	Acharya Sam-Bhota
3	Religious History (part-5&6)	by	aJigdrel Yeshi Dorjee
4	(Tadruob-bShen bJed)	by	Dho Ngag Tenpai Nima

UTTARA MADHYAMA YEAR II (Senior Secondary School Year II; 12TH GRADE)

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Treasury of Wisdom (Abhidharma Kosh Karika)	by	Acharya Vasubhandu
	its commentary	by	Acharya gZhen-dGa
2	Mahayana’s Treasury of Wisdom (Abhi Dharma Samuchya)	by	Acharya Sam-Bhota
	its commentary	by	Khenchen gZhen-Phen Chos-k sNangwa
3	Byakaran Linga Avatara	by	Acharya Sambhota

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Poetry (Mid part till aGog rGyen)	by	Acharya Dhandi
2	Tadruob-bShen bJed	by	Dho Ngag Tenpai Nima
3	Religious History (part7&8)	by	aJigdrel Yeshi Dorjee

SHASTRI (B.A.) YEAR I

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Valid Cognition (Pramana Vartika, 1st and 2nd Part)	by	Acharya Dharma Kriti
2	Ornament of the Mahayana Sutra (Mahayana Sutra Alankara)	by	Maitriya – Asanga
	its commentary	by	Khenchen gZhen-Phen Chos-ki sNangwa

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Mahayana Guru Tantra	by	Maitriya
	its commentary	by	Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche
2	Quintessential Point of the Lion’s Roar (sTong-Thun Seng-dGe’yi Nga-Ro)	by	Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche
3	Poetry (first and last Volume)	by	Acharya Dhandi

SHASTRI (B.A.) YEAR II

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Prologue to Ornament of Realisation (mGnon-rTog- rGyen’s)	by	Boed pa Tulku Rinpoche
2	Discrimination of Dharmas and Dharmata (mGnon-rTog- rGyen’s commentary)	by	dPals-sPrul Rinpoche

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Valid Cognition (Pramana Vartika 3rd & 4th Part)	by	Acharya Dharma Kriti
	it commentary	by	aJm-mGon Mi-Pham Rinpoche
2	Discrimination of Dharmas and Dharmata (Chos Dang Chos Nyid rNam aGyed)	by	Maitriya
	it commentary	by	aJam-mGon Mi-Pham Rinpoche
3	Zhung-Chie Kaned	“	aJam-mGon Mi-Pham Rinpoche

SHASTRI (B.A.) YEAR III

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Treasury of Spiritual Qualities (Yon-Tan Rin-po-Che Yi-mZod’s)	by	Kuenkhen aJigs-Med Ling-Pa
2	Guhya Garbha Tantra’s Prologue (gSang-Wa sNying-Po’s)	by	aJam-mGon Mi-Pham Rinpoche

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Root Text of the Discipline (Vinaya Mula Sutra)	by	Acharya Guna Praba
	it commentary	by	gZhen-Phen sNag-Wa
2	Discerning the Middle and the Extremes (bAu-mThar rNam aGeyd)	by	aJam-mGon Mi-Pham Rinpoche
3	Theck Chen Tshuljuk	by	Rongzom Maha Pandita.

ACHARYA (M.A.) YEAR I

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	The Oral Instruction Garland of Views (gSang- sNying bDrel-Chen)	by	Sarvagya Klong-Chen-Pa
2	Commentary on the Wish Fulfilling Treasury (Yid-bZhin mZod’s)	by	Sarvagya Klong-Chen-Pa

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	Gruk-mTha Rinpoche mZod	by	Sarvagya Klong-Chen-Pa
2	Arya Manjushree Nama	by	Acharya Padma Sambhava
3	Man Ngag Ta-threng	by	Acharya Padma Sambhava

ACHARYA (M.A.) FINAL YEAR

MAIN SUBJECTS

1	Dzogchen – The Natural Ease of Mind Essence (rZongs-Chen Seme-Nyid Ngal gSo’yi commentary	by	Sarvagya Klong-Chen-Pa
2	Explanation of the Eight Sadhanas (bKa-br-Gyad rNam-bshad	by	aJam-mgon Mi-Pham Rinpoche

SUBSIDIARY SUBJECTS

1	GTravelling the Staircase to the Highest Buddhafield of the Development Stage (bsKyed-Rim Khred-Yig Yog-Min	by	Sarvagya Jigme Lingpa
2	Four Life-Binding Nails (Srog-sDom Zher-bzhin Man-Ngag Tsangs pa’yi sGra dByangs)	by	Chos rJe dPal-sPrul Rinpoche
3	Thesis.