RYI STUDENT BLOG

Bodhicaryavatara class 2008 (happy people) Reunion 2013 (still happy) In September 2008 assembled a motley group of people from all around world in Ch ö kyi  Nyima Rinpoche’s shrine room for a welcome reception. We had all made the excellent  decision to come to Nepal to do the BA in Buddhist studies here at RYI. Although we did  not know each other I sensed at that time a certain spirit of companionship in the room  that would increase over the coming months and years.  More than five years later a good  number of those people came together for a joyful reunion in the restaurant 'Flavors' (now  moved to a different place and prices more than tripled). We talked about the good old  times that have changed into good new times and we drank a lot of hot water against the  cold. Mark your calendar for our  10-year anniversary in  November 2018 to celebrate at Boudhanath!

Andreas Kilchmann has successfully defended his Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies dissertation. Big congratulations !  The title of his dissertation is:  "THE INDIAN MAHĀSIDDHA TILOPA  AND THE FORMATION OF  THE TIBETAN KAGYU TRADITION". His supervisor was  Dr. Karin L. Meyers and the External Reader was  Roger Jackson,  Professor of Asian Studies and Religion at Carleton College. Andreas Kilchmann  from Switzerland  traveled the world  extensively  for leisure and business   before he started his studies at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute in 2006. He graduated from RYI's Bachelor of Arts program in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language in spring 2011. Later in the fall,  Andreas  continued his studies by enrolling in RYI's Masters program. While studying diligently during the term, he enjoyed exploring Nepal by motorbike during the term breaks.  We wish you all the best for your future! 

Congratulations to Adam Kane, who successfully defended his MA thesis.     The dissertation is entitled:  'THE WAY INSIGHT ACTUALLY ARISES: PEMA KARPO’S EXPLANATION OF THE FOUR YOGAS OF MAHĀMUDRĀ'. The thesis supervisor was Dr. Philippe Turenne and the External Reader was Dr. Lara Braitstein, Associate Professor at  McGill University. Adam graduated from  Duke University and had been working for the Pundarika Foundation before joining RYI's Translator Training Program in 2009. After completing the 12 month long intensive course, Adam enrolled in the Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies program at RYI. Adam is a gifted translator and instructor and has joined RYI's faculty as translator in 2011. Since then he is translating for the philosophy classes and the Buddhist Studies Summer course. He  is  also teaching in the Translator Training Program.  We wish him all the best for the future.