Course

The Karmapa International Buddhist Institute is a college for advanced Buddhist studies. KIBI's purpose is to foster wisdom and compassion through the study and translation of the great Buddhist treatises. The Karmapa International Buddhist Institute offers a four year program. Classes will be held this year from 7. Jan 2009 till 15. March 2009. The courses are taught in a progressive order and cover various seminal works on Buddhist philosophy and theory of perception as well as special training in Diamondway (skt. vajrayana) rituals and weekend seminars on Great Way (skt. mahayana) and Diamondway (skt. vajrayana) topics. There will be optional Tibetan classes on classical Tibetan.
Classes will either be given in English or translated into English. Attending the course therefore requires sufficient skills in spoken and written English.

The coming course will be blessed by the presence of H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa who will give a 7 day course with teachings and empowerments during the mid of March. H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa has choosen the text "Letter to a friend", a classical teaching of the highly realized master Nagarjuna. The very learned and venerable Professor Sempa Dorje will this time be present for the whole study course teaching "Tsema – the Theory of Perception" based on the tsema rig ter.

FIRST YEAR

1. Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Tib. thargyen) (First half) This text is by Dhakpo Rinpoche (Gampopa) who is the source of our Kagyu lineage. It is a teaching about the path that combines the tradition of the Kadampa lineage as descended from Atisha, and Mahamudra, as initiated by the great Mahasiddha Metripa.

2. The Rice Seedling Sutra (Tib. salue jangpi do) (Full course) This sutra is a direct teaching of the Buddha based on the twelve links that establish emptiness. It explains the most profound meaning of what is relative truth and what is ultimate truth. The rice seedling is a metaphor that symbolizes the causes and conditions of the twelve links.

3. Basic Tibetan language (optional) Students will be taught how to read and write classical Tibetan. Modern, spoken Tibetan is not taught.

Examination: At the end of the course every student i asked to write a thesis.

SECOND YEAR

1. Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Tib. thargye) (Second half) This text is by Dhakpo Rinpoche (Gampopa) who is the source of our Kagyu lineage. It is a teaching about the path that combines the tradition of the Kadampa lineage as descended from Atisha, and Mahamudra as initiated by the great Mahasiddha Metripa.

2. The Four Noble Truths This subject will be based on one of the chapters from the well-known book by Mipham Rinpoche Gateway of Knowledge (Tib. Khejug). The chapter in question is ”Becoming Learned in the Four Noble Truths” (Tib. Denpa la khepa).

3. Entering the Middle Way (Tib. Umala jugpa) (Skt. Madhyamaka-avatara) (First half) This is one of the most well-known and widely taught Madhyamaka texts. The author of this book is Chandrakirti, who was one of the greatest and most famous scholars in India . He is also the one who spread widely the Prasangika Madhaymaka school, which was started by Buddhapalita.

4. Tibetan language (optional)

THIRD YEAR

1. Theory of Perception (Tib. Lorik) The book explains the detailed working of the mind and the different aspects that are related to it.

2. Entering the Middle Way (Tib. Umala jugpa) (Skt. Madhyamaka-avatara) (Second half) This is one of the most well-known and widely taught Madhyamaka texts. The author of this book is Chandrakirti who was one of the greatest and most famous scholars in India . He is also the one who spread widely the Prasangika Madhaymaka School which was started by Buddhapalita..

3. A treatise on Buddha nature (Tib. Gyu lama) (Skt. Uttara Tantra Shastra) (First half) The Uttara tantra shastra is a treatise on the Buddha nature. It is one of the five treatises by the Bodhisattva Maitreya.

4. Tibetan language (optional)

FOURTH YEAR

1. Theory of Perception (Tib. Lorik) The book explains the detailed working of the mind and the different aspects that are related to it.

2. The Sutra on the Essence of Wisdom (Tib. Sherab nyingpo) (Full course) The Sutra on the Essence of Wisdom was taught to Shariputra, at the Vulture Peak in Rajgir, through the blessing of Buddha by Avalokiteshvara. It explains how, by going through five paths of development, one can reach enlightenment. It explains what kinds of experience and realization of emptiness one achieves at these different stages.

3. A treatise on Buddha nature (Tib. Gyu lama) (Skt. Uttara Tantra Shastra) (Second half) The Uttara tantra shastra is a treatise on the Buddha nature. It is one of the five treatises by the Bodhisattva Maitreya.

4. Tibetan language (optional)