Sakya Thubten Namgal Ling Institute was established in 1980 by His Holiness Sakya Trizin with the sole intention of imparting further education in Higher Buddhist Philosophy and Thought with particular emphasis on aspects of the Sakyapa Tradition. The purpose of this Institute is to train young monks to develop into the next generation of teachers and thereby preserve and disseminate the teachings of Lord Buddha.

Students of this institute come from monasteries in India and neighboring countries. Candidates for admission must satisfy the basic educational requirements formulated by the Board of Governors of Sakya Institute. Current enrollment of students is above seventy. The staff at the institute includes the Khenpo and several teachers.

The Curriculum

The College follows a basic curriculum that was approved by a convocation of Sakya scholars in 1980. The curriculum includes the study of the 18 most important texts of Sakya scholasticism, together with their Indian and Tibetan commentaries.

The 18 basic scriptures fall under the six traditional categories as follows:

I. Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) 1. Abhisamayalamkara of Maitreya 2. Mahayanasutralamkara 3. Madhyantavibhanga
4. Dharmatavibhanga 5. Uttaratantrashastra of Maitreya 6. Bodhicaryavatara of Shantideva

II. Vinaya (Monastic Discipline) 7. Pratimokshasutra 8. Vinayasutra of Gunaprabha

III. Madhyamaka ( Middle Way Philosophy)  9. Mulamadhyamakakarika of Nagarjuna 10. Madhyamakavatara of Chandrakirti
11. Catuhsataka of Aryadeva

IV. Abhidharma (Phenomenology) 12. Abhidharmakosa of Vasubandhu 13. Abhidharmasamuccaya of Asanga

V. Pramana (Logic and Epistemology) 14.Pramanasamuccaya of Dignaga 15.Pramanavartika of Dharmakirti 16.Pramanaviniscaya of Dharmakirti 17.Tshad ma rigs gter of Sakya Pandita

VI. Trisamvara (Three Vows)  18.Sdom gsum rab dbye of Sakya Pandita

In addition, students are also taught treatises on various other branches of learning, such as Tantric Philosophy, ritual, grammar, poetry, calligraphy and so forth. The Institute also offers classes in the English language. The Institute is in session about nine and half months per year, with two and half months of vacation during the summer. Classes are conducted during six and half days per week. A typical day starts at 5:45 in the morning and ends at 9:30 in the night.

During the past few years extensive renovations and traditional constructions have been undertaken; however, there is much more to be done. Please visit the Sakya Centre website for additional information and details on how you can help.

source: Palden Sakya News Magazine