RYI STUDENT BLOG

Rangjung Yeshe Institute is a great place as well as rich in providing various means and methods for learning Buddhism. It conducts programs such as Chod practice, meditation practice, holds seminars and conduct teachings and empowerment from Rinpoches. Among all the programs, this semester the guest lecture classes were really wonderful and encouraging.  All the guest lecturers were amazing in their field of expertise, however Lama Shenpen Hookham really stood out for me. She is a great scholar as well as a serious practitioner. Moreover, she was trained for so many years in the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Lama Shenpen basically talked about Shentong view on Buddha-nature. Her main point was that Buddha-nature was not newly produced by walking on the path rather it is our true nature that is perfectly present in us from the beginning-less time. Lama Shenpen’s talk was full of life and refreshment. She was sharing her experience and meditatio...

During December, Kathmandu is cold. Especially in the early morning and the late evening, it is cold outside as well as inside. Most of Nepali houses lack heating system and running hot water, which means that wearing many layers of cloths, patching one's body with hot water bottles and drinking hot chia are the common ways to keep oneself cozy and warm. For many Nepalese the day starts early, much earlier than the sun's awakening. Around 4am the sounds of neighbors engaging in household activities (cleaning, cooking, and so forth) and the footsteps of those who are walking towards the stupa or heading to catch a bus are already audible. Nepal starts before sunrise, especially at times where the monasteries open their doors early morning to invite both lay and monastics to practice together.  Such was the case in December 2018 when, during the course of one month, 450 people (approximately 95% from the Himalayan region and the other minority from countries such as Vietnam...

One day I was returning with two full buckets of water in my hands.  I heard someone call my name. As I looked sideway, I saw an old woman, far elder than I have ever seen. With keen eyes, she gestured me to come up. Then only did I recognize that she was my grandmother. But she had changed a lot. She looked old. Her strong muscles had given away. Her long hairs were uncombed and all over her shoulder and face. Even with all the clothes she put on, she looked skinny.  Once a beautiful face was now nothing but lines of skins.  I bowed to her and took a sit close to her: “How are you?” Her voice was just a muffle. “I’m fine, how about you? I found out that she had been sick for more than a week or so. Her feet were swollen and she was having continuous fever. As I looked closer, I saw her thin limb, shrinkage chest.  There was not much left of her. Her health really was deteriorating. When I asked if she had consulted the doctors or had taken any medicine, s...

After contemplating for several months, I have decided to write about the utter simplicity of solitude. Recently, in our Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra class, we studied about the physical and mental solitude. One of the key components of my experience of solitude is to allow oneself to heal. Thích Nhất Hạnh, in his book called Silence , indicated that resting is a precondition for healing. Thầy pointed out that when we humans have illness, we worry too much and do not allow ourselves to relax at all. This makes us suffer even more. On the other hand, when animals in the forest get wounded, they find a place of solitude and rest completely. Even food or any other concern becomes secondary at that time. In my experience as well, when solitude and fasting are combined together, one can truly rest to heal.  As I study Buddhist Philosophy and try to fathom the academic reading materials, I often long for an extended solitude. Because it is only then, that we slowly but steadily assim...

Method of Studies at RYI                 Being a student in RYI, I gain various knowledge and learning experiences. RYI offers various courses, such as languages, Buddhist Studies, and textual Buddhist treatises, from both traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings and modern academic perspective. The combination of two perspectives enables me to acquire both academic knowledge and practical experiences.                   By studying Nepali and Colloquial Tibetan in RYI, I gain both grammatical and experiential knowledge. Master class taught by the professors contains grammar, structure, syntax, and so forth. While doing language partners, I can experience Nepali and Tibetan cultures through the medium of local Nepali and native Tibetan speakers. Also, doing Sanskrit and Classical Tibetan here, I not only understand vario...