Vikrama Shila

This educational facility is intended to provide the monks with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Buddhism in a formal academic setting. After completing nine years of full-time study, monks will be qualified to teach at other institutions.

The course of studies focuses on the five major texts:
Buddhist Logic (Pramana), Middle Path (Madhyamika), Moral Ethics (Vinaya), Wisdom / Ultimate Knowledge (Prajna Paramita), and (loosely translated) Buddhist Science (Abhi Dharma).

The monks also attend English, Nepali, and Tibetan Grammar classes, and a computer class has recently been developed for the older monks. Formal education at the Jangchub Choeling Monastery only began two years ago, and all monks are depend on disciples donations in order to cover the cost of food, teachers salaries, and general maintenance.

The Monastic Community

More than 100 monks live at Jangchub Choeling Monastery. Usually, male children are brought to the monastery at the age of ten by their parents who want them to be monks. It is necessary that the child also wish to be ordained. The monks are from various origins, some being Tibetan, Nepali and others. They live and study within the monastery complex under the guidance of Chief Abbot Shangpa Rinpoche.

A day for the monks begins with a Morning Prayer session at 6:30 a.m. during which they chant two prayers: Manjushri (Deities for Wisdom) and Green Tara (Deities for Removing Obstacles). School begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at 3:30 p.m. and there are designated periods outside of class time for self-study. At 4 p.m. the evening prayer session begins, and the Mahakala prayer (to the Guardians of the Buddha's teachings) is recited with musical instruments. With this schedule they are able to fuse prayer with study, both important features in a Buddhist monk's development.

Khenpo Tsultrim Tharchin

Under the request of Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche, Khenpo has undertaken the responsibilities being the Chief Abbot (Khenpo) of Vikrama Shila Higher Buddhist Institute. He is currently teaching over a hundred lamas there. He is also as a guest lecturer at Kagyu Institute for Buddhist Studies in Kirtipur, where he conducts the short courses and leads the retreats held by the institute.

Khenpo Tsultrim was born in Mustang at 1964. Mustang is revered by Tibetan Buddhists to be a holy place that has a very deep affinity with Guru Rinpoche. During his childhood, his family moved to Pokhara where he later entered into monk-hood. In Pokhara, he has learned all the various rituals and mastered the Tibetan language under the compassionate guidance of the Late Ven. Dupsing Rinpoche and other teachers.

He furthered his studies in Buddhism at the Karma Shree Nalanda Institute in Rumtek. He graduated in Buddhist Philosophy with a Degree.

Khenpo Tsultrim has visited many countries of Southeast Asia and Europe. He has given numerous teachings in Buddhist philosophy during these visits. Khenpo Tsultrim entered into a traditional retreat three and half-year long in Pharping under the compassionate guidance of Ven. Choje Sherab Rinpoche. He is a qualified retreat lama.

Khenpo Tsultrim is a knowledgeable practitioner. He has proven himself to be a good teacher, conducting excellent teachings that benefit followers who are serious about their practice.

Address
Vikrama Shila Buddhist Institute,
P.O. Box No. 56,
Pokhara /
Nepal

Telephone
977-61-27028

E-mail
rinpoche@fewamail.com.np

Email : Shangpa Rinpoche

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