It is quite hard to believe but the ninth two-year Tibetan language program of the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo school in Dharamsala is almost coming to an end. It began in April of 2023 and now the students are entering their final module of studies.
After the winter break the students returned to school with their translation assignments. Their task was to select a piece of teaching (preferably never translated into a Western language before) of any teacher and any Dharma subject. It was all their choice. The teaching had to be either in a written form or it could also be audio, in which case the students were additionally required to transcribe it and make an edited publishable version. Their efforts are now being evaluated by the Lotsawa teachers.
In the module that has just ended the LRZTP students had a week long introduction to tantra by Geshe Lobsang Tsundue. Geshe-la showed his enormous kindness by agreeing to teach the subject for five days.
Another guest teacher (not the first time though) in the last module was Geshema Kelsang Wangmo who this time held an interpretation seminar and introduced the students into the theory of interpretation. The students will now, in their final module, have the actual interpretation training sessions and two days of the week will be devoted solely to practicing interpretation.
The main text taught in the second year of studies at LRZTP is of course the Lamrim and it has finally been covered in its entirety by our teacher Geshe Phuntsok Lekmon. Eight Verses on Training the Mind were also studied and currently the program continues with drupta and Madhyamika. Geshe Lhundup Kalsang is the teacher responsible for these, as well as dudra and weekly debates for the students.
For the final module, apart from the interpretation sessions, there will of course be texts taught, as per curriculum recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT. So the students will cover with their teachers The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva and Entering the Bodhisattva Conduct (Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra). Another set of planned teachings for the final module is The Praise of Interdependent Origination by Je Tsongkhapa.
In the final module we also expect a guest teacher – Geshe Lobsang Drakpa from Namgyal Monastery who is scheduled to teach on the dissolution stages in the dying process, bardo and rebirth. He is also expected to talk on the reasoning behind the existence of past and future lives.
So, even though there is only one module left, there is still a lot to come!
Do not forget to visit our website and check the upcoming courses. The LRZTP 10 kicks off in October this year and the registration for that is still open. Everyone is invited to check it out and if you feel this could be an opportunity for you, you are welcome to contact us. There are always online and in-school options for individual classes, so lots of possibilities.
Meanwhile we leave you with some photographs of our recent Losar party!
