Thrangu Sekhar Institute of Meditation is an institute dedicated primarily to Buddhist meditation practice.
Buddhism, or inner science, is the precise understanding of the nature of reality – the way things actually are. Such an understanding is essential as a means for nurturing our own innate capacities for kindness, compassion and so on, and for bringing about the ultimate flourishing of all living beings. As such, it constitutes a precious, universal birthright.
The only way to ensure its propagation, and the sole means to restore it where it has declined, is the authentic study and practice of Buddhism.
Generally speaking, a modest number of institutions – monastic colleges, universities and so on – have appeared in modern times, dedicated to the in depth study and research of Buddhism. It seems, however, that there has been no such academic institution dedicated to its meditation practice until now.
Vision & Mission
Generally speaking, a modest number of institutions – monastic colleges, universities and so on – have appeared in modern times, dedicated to the in depth study and research of Buddhism. It seems, however, that there has been no such academic institution dedicated to its meditation practice until now.
Meditation practice is the core of Buddhism. Taking it, thus, to be of utmost importance, Thrangu Tashi Chöling Monastery in collaboration with Lumbini Buddhist University have established Thrangu Sekhar Institute of Meditation (TSIM) – an institution dedicated to meditation practice informed by the oral pith instructions of spiritual masters and by authoritative texts.
The authentic propagation and preservation of dharma lies in the cultivation of authentic dharma practitioners. But for our practice to be authentic, we must rely on genuine spiritual masters and authoritative texts. With that in mind, all meditation modules as TSIM offer detailed explication of the practices followed by hours of meditation. Training students in such a way, the aim is to produced learned and practiced individuals capable of bringing what they’ve learned of the buddhadharma to their respective homelands. Thus, the nectar of the Buddha’s wisdom will remain long, becoming available to all those who seek inner peace.
Values & Culture
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
It is often the case that those most sincere in their dharma practice have the least of resources, making it difficult for them to study and practice long-term. It is for that reason that the Institute is committed to providing all its learning resources and facilities (classes, food, accommodation and so on) without charge.
Students are also prohibited from making offerings to their dharma teachers and course instructors, as has become the custom in Tibetan Buddhist circles. In this way, keeping the dharma free from financial influence, it thus becomes readily available to anyone deeply wishing to discover its pure truth.
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC
The Buddha taught that ordinary beings cannot estimate the measure of ordinary beings – human potential is inestimable to those who lack omniscience. Seeing that to be true, the Institute does discriminate along lines of gender, race, nationality, age or financial resources – for to do so would be to deny a universal birthright. Here at TSIM, students hail from over 30 countries worldwide, including Nepal, Ireland, Romania and Ecuador.
LANGUAGE
As the main vehicle for the Buddhist study and teaching at TSIM is the Tibetan language, making it an invaluable resource for all TSIM students. For this reason, we offer a comprehensive language programme that sets Tibetan at its core. It also includes beginners’ English as well as advanced Chinese, French and even Swahili. Even so, the Tibetan language constitutes the root of communication at the Institute, which is why students commit to speaking in Tibetan amongst themselves, and make every effort in their Tibetan language studies to be able to listen to the teachings directly in the Tibetan, without resorting to the simultaneous translation provided.
Benefits
The benefits of sincere dharma study and practice are inestimable. Through developing a calm mind and more realistic outlook, one not only develops the skills needed to cope with the increasingly frenetic mundane world, one also becomes capable of imparting what has been assimilated to others.
At TSIM, students are encouraged to take the time needed to reflect and internalise the meaning of the teaching as – be they on meditation, history or philosophy – in order to reap the primary benefit of dharma endeavour – personal transformation. They are then given opportunity to become revisionists and assist in the assessment of lower classes, to foster the attitude of putting to use what one has learned in order to benefit others.
Policies & Strategy
STUDENTS
Currently TSIM has the capacity only to afford places on its programmes to students already resident at Thrangu Sekhar International Retreat Centre. In the coming years, the Institute expects to open its doors to external students with the sincere wish to study and develop a firm practice of dharma – without charge.
COURSES
In the next few years, TSIM expects to expand its number of courses to proved a masters in Buddhist Mind Training, as well as offering Lumbini University’s PhD in Buddhist Studies on campus. In this way, students can take their dharma education – practice and academic rigour in tandem – from certificate through to doctorate level.