RYI STUDENT BLOG

Now we are at the beginning of the “spring semester” in RYI (Rangjung Yeshe Institute), however in this  time is very, very cold in Nepal!!! Everyone are using all the warm clothes that is possible to protect from the freeze weather, thus we  have a huge variety of colorful and creative styles around. Even the nuns and monks display their warm  neckerchief and gloves as well different kinds of very warm bonnet, as me they do not have natural  protection from the chilliness… That way, despite of the cold weather everyone is very happy and with warm heart!!! All the students, teachers, staff and nuns and monks are very glad and rejoicing to see each other after  a short vacation of one month. When we meet each other the curiosity to know what we did during the free time is the first subject of  our talking. Some students went home, what means for some to travel for their countries - what mean all the  continents, as our Shedra – university, i...

Pharping Azura Cave Monastery Every year Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche leads several seminars and retreats in Asura Cave monastery in Pharping. Many of us have heard that Asura Cave is a very special, yet we are often a bit unsure what exactly happened there and why it is so special. Thus I wanted to share with you, what I have found out so far.  Pharping: Pharping is a small but expanding village about 16 km southwest of Kathmandu, on a hillside above the main valley. Pharping (pronounced "Farping" by the Nepalis) is known to the Tibetans as Yangleshö and also sometimes as Phamting, as some say it is the birthplace of the Phamtingpa, the heart-­‐son of Naropa. Chatral Rinpoche explains that the 'Indian Phamting' (Tib. rgya gar pham thing ) derives its name from the presence of the great hood of the Naga king Lhakmachen or Shesha, which marks it as a site of his power. As such, learned masters of the past used to called it Phanathingu (Tib. pha na thinggu ), which ...

Monastery in Pharping in the midst of mustard field I’ve been a student at the Shedra for two years now.  In that time, I have been surprised by how quickly we can integrate what we learned into our lives. The Tibetan language comes naturally here. When class ends, I go out with my Tibetan friends, and we head to the tea shop. There’s nothing like sweet tea, spicy potatoes, and great company!!! Things like this happen every day.  After only a few months here, I was part of the Bodhanath village where everyone knows everyone.  My constant contact with local Tibetans has done wonders for my ability to learn Tibetan. The Shedra exists in a perfect place to support its students’ learning. That said, sometimes I want to escape the small town of Boudha. That’s when I head for my favorite place in Nepal, Pharping or Yanglesho as the Tibetans call it. It is an hour and a half by bus from the Shedra.  Pharping is the sacred place where Guru Rinpoche sta...