This week, 29 students from 15 different countries sat their end-of-semester exams here at Thrangu Sekhar Institute of Meditation, the specialist meditation college of Lumbini Buddhist University. They are either studying for a certificate in Buddhist Meditation or a bachelor in Buddhist Mind Training.
Following the mid-semester oral exams in August, the exam week started with two meditation exams, during which students were assessed on their ability to rest in calm-abiding meditation or their insights during contemplation. Certificate students meditated with a focal support, first-year BA students contemplated topics from the first two mahamudra preliminaries while second-year students contemplated the initial steps for developing the relative awakening mind.
These exams were followed by three written examinations over the course of the week, in modules including History, Philosophy and Beginners’ Tibetan Language.
We are grateful to Mr Pawan Yadav from the section office at Lumbini Buddhist University for joining us this week to oversee the smooth completion of the exams.
