Nepal becoming Mecca for Buddhist studies

BY POST B. BASNET, Kantipur Online, Aug 26, 2005

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- It may be a new thing to many that Nepal is evolving as one of the sought-after venues for higher level Buddhist studies. Dozens of institutes for Buddhist studies have emerged in Kathmandu alone to meet the demands of huge numbers of Westerners, flocking every year, seeking knowledge of Buddhism in Nepal.

Interestingly, Greg Whitefield, a Briton, who first came to Nepal in 1991 for a development project, has become a veteran Buddhist. He has also been running the Rangjung Yeshe Institute, a Buddhist institute founded by Tulku Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, as the principal, since 2002. "The future religion of humanity will be based on scientific laws. Buddhism is very scientific as it is based on the laws of cause and effect. You can question everything in Buddhism," Greg told the Post.

He also said Buddhist institutes in Nepal offer the study of Buddhism through Himalayan languages (Tibetan, Sanskrit and Nepali). "Since studies are done through the original Buddhist text, most westerners are attracted to Nepal," he added.

Greg's Institute has been offering various courses including Bachelors' degree.

The trend of foreign students coming to study Buddhism here began during the mid-seventies, said Greg. Now there are mainly five to six main institutes in the capital that cater to the increasing number of students interested in Buddhism from all over the world.

John Simpson, another Briton, who has been studying in the Rangjung Yeshe Institute, said western universities also offer courses in Buddhism. "But many people are fascinated by the courses in Buddhist studies in Nepal, as it combines theory and practice," he said.

The Rangjung Institute is affiliated with Kathmandu University to integrate the Buddhism course with a university degree.

Greg said the Institute plans to run Master's program in Buddhism.

Many Buddhist institutes in Nepal have developed small package courses up to university degrees in Buddhist studies.

Simpson said people in the west are getting disillusioned with the process of modernity, which teaches that happiness could be achieved through material gains. "People are now seeking spiritual peace. And Buddhism has an answer to the crises the world is going through," he said.

Nepal Mahayana Buddhist Center in Kapan, established in 1970, has been a famous center for Buddhist studies as well as a retreat for meditation. It has its separate programs for Buddhist studies and retreat. Bhikshu Khedup, reception manager of the Center, said that five to six dozen foreigners, mainly Europeans and Americans take part in each program, which is conducted six or seven times a year.

Alex, a student of philosophy at Boston College, has been studying Buddhist philosophy in the Rangjung Institute. "I am attracted to Buddhist studies in Nepal because it has the blend of theory and practice," he said.

Chhepal Sherpa, a Nepali student at the Institute, said that study of Buddhism in Himalayan languages is the main attraction here.

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot
NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.


Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team


Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv


TOP