Nitartha Institutea division of

Nitartha international

Sandra Roscoe, Ph.D

VP for Operations

Email: sandra@nitartha-institute.org

Ph: 206-947-6018

www.nitarthainstitute.org

Nitartha Institute is a division of Nitartha international, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, Tax I.D. # 13-3812598

Under the direction of

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Nitartha

Summer Institute

Students from Hong Kong

are invited to participate in

A Summer Immersion Program

in Buddhist Studies, in the United States

with The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Two weeks or one month

On the campus of

Western Washington University

Near the cities of Seattle

and Vancouver, B.C.July 17 - August 14, 2010Session I: July 17 – July 31

Session II: August 1 - August 14

www.nitarthainstitute.orgRegister by May 31, 2010

Telephone: 206-947-6018

Email: info@nitarthainstitute.org

Students from Hong Kong are invited to participate in the 15th Nitartha Summer Instituteunder the direction of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is a Tibetan master who is renowned for his exceptional ability to present key Buddhist teachings on the nature of mind. Rinpoche is a frequent visitor to Hong Kong. In 2010 he is a visiting faculty member of the Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong, where he will teach a Master’s level class on Tibetan Buddhism: History and Doctrines. Rinpoche will be teaching the main course at this year’s Summer Institute.

Rinpoche travels widely and teaches in North America, Europe and Asia. In North America he is the founder of Nalandabodhi, an association of centers for study and meditation practice in the tradition of the Nyingma and Kagyu Schools of Buddhism. In 1996 Rinpoche, together with Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, founded Nitartha Institute, an educational organization offering Buddhist studies covering the core teachings of Buddhism, and the main commentaries of the Tibetan masters of the Kagyü and Nyingma lineages.

Nitartha presents philosophical analysis based on the Tibetan monastic college (shedra) tradition. In addition to offering in-depth study for Buddhists from any tradition, because Nitartha’s programs are based on the rigorous pedagogy of the Tibetan shedras, they are ideal for college students and scholars who wish to immerse themselves in the living Tibetan Buddhist tradition of study, debate, and meditation. Since the classes are conducted in English, there is no need to be fluent in Tibetan.

About Nitartha InstituteNitartha is a place of study for both scholars and practitioners. One does not need to be a Buddhist to participate, and there is no membership. The Institute offers a systematic education spanning the foundational through the advanced texts taught in the Tibetan monastic colleges known as shedras. A key point in the way classes are taught is to introduce in-depth study to practitioners, and practice, particularly analytical meditation, to scholars.

Throughout the year, Nitartha’s rich curriculum is offered in several formats (weekend, 9-day, and semester) in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Summer Institute is an immersion opportunity that allows students to attend multiple classes throughout the day with renowned Buddhist scholars. The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche will be teaching the main course this year. In some cases, university students enrolled in Buddhist Studies may apply for credit with their educational institutions, although this is at the discretion of their departments.

WhenJuly 17 - August 14, 2010 The month long program is divided into two two-week segments. Participants may attend two weeks or one month.Session I: July 17 – July 31 Session II: Aug 1 - Aug 14

Left: The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche with Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, co-founder of Nitartha Institute.

What students are saying . . .

“Brilliant classes, supportive staff, and excellent company. Nitartha’s summer program was a powerful experience and the highest form of fun.”

“I have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of Buddhadharma and the training at Nitartha has given me tools to think more clearly. These I have applied to all areas of life with some success. I have also met and gotten to know wonderful people (both students and teachers).”

“This class was very beneficial in terms of both my practice and study of the dharma. The contemplations were very helpful in integrating the material in both formal practice and post meditation. I also felt that the class helped a great deal in developing a beneficial overall approach to studying Dharma in general and Madhyamaka in particular.”

Nitartha Institute’s source books and curriculum materials are a powerful resource for the serious student of Buddhism. They will continue to be a valuable far beyond the time frame of the Summer Institute. Additionally, many classes are recorded and available online for post-program study and review.

Students from Hong Kong have the opportunity to continue to study with The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche during his visits there. Attending the Nitartha Summer Institute provides an unrivalled foundation in the rigorous pedagogical tradition of Tibetan Buddhist scholarship, benefiting both the practitioner of Buddhism and university students at the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels in the disciplines of Philosophy, Religion, and Buddhist studies of all traditions.

Nitartha Institute welcomes youfor a month of unparalleled teachings

in a beautiful settingclose to nature and close to the

lively metropolises of Vancouver and Seattle.

We wish to help make your trip and stay with usas smooth as possible. To discuss the program and

your travel plans, please call Nitartha Institute’s Vice-President of Operations

Sandra Roscoe, Ph.DFrom Hong Kong, phone: 001-009-1-206-947-6018

Email: sandra@nitartha-institute.org

The ProgramAnalytical meditation and debate• are taught as methods that help students clarify their understanding and relate the curriculum to their own experience.

The sessions begin with• Foundation courses covering valid cognition and the Hinayana systems of Lorik (Classifications of Mind), Dudra (Collected Topics) and Tarik (Classifications of Reasons); and move into the Intermediate and Advanced curriculum courses covering Mahaynana studies (Mind Only, Middle Way and Buddha Nature) and Vajrayana studies for qualified students.

For a detailed explanation of the curriculum, • visit www.nitarthainstitute.org/ program_info_annual.html

Highlight: • The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche will teach the main course this year, based on a Shentong text by Mipham Rinpoche. This is scheduledforthefirstsession,July17to31,and will be open to all students. Rinpoche’s teachings make the Summer Institute a truly exceptional experience.

Nitartha’s faculty are both Tibetan and •Western teachers. Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen will be a senior faculty member this summer. He is currently teaching at Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado. Nitartha’s curriculum is highly developed and students working towards degrees in Religion or Philosophy can apply to their institutions for academic credit. Courses are equivalent to a 3-credit university course (in the U.S.) with 15 contact hours per credit (45 hours total).

“It’s been a most valuable

appreciated source of learning

and practicing the Dharma,

of discourse and personnel

connections with other

practitioners, of background

to and inspiration for my

personal practice outside

of Nitartha. I am deeply

thankful to the efforts of The

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

and all staff and participants

for the creation and offering

of such an invaluable

opportunity.”

WhereThe Summer Institute is hosted on the campus of Western Washington University in Bellingham, just an hour and a half north of Seattle, Washington, and an hour south of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen

Students in class

A Day at Nitartha Summer Institute

Classes—• cover the range of the eight great texts of the Kagyu lineage, including studies in the Hinayana schools and Abhidharma, Cittamatra/Mind Only school, Madhyamaka/Middle Way school, Buddha Nature and Vajrayana studies. Students ofen attend the Summer Institute each year since the courses are offered in a gradual format over a number of two-week sessions.

Body Training (Lujong)—• Each day begins with optional participation in a series of exercises developed by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, based on the yogic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The exercises bring body and mind together in an energetic and joyful way.

Analytical Meditation—• Students apply their studies in a detailed and thorough investigation into their immediate experience. Insight is thus actualized in a practical way.

Debate—• Through dialogue with one’s teachers and fellow students, one’s understanding is sharpened and increased. The tone is gentle, with a focus on new discovery, rather than being competitive.

Discussion Groups—• are a time for students to explore questions they have about the material, and to bring together their understanding.

Optional Classes—• are offered for those who want to go further with studies in Advanced Debate, Tibetan language or the Compassion in Healing module.

Meal Times— • if one so wishes are a time to further engage one’s teachers and fellow students in spirited dialogue.

Hiking, sailing, sight-seeing are all options on

Day Off (Saturdays).

Columbia River near Bellingham

Vancouver, by day and night, just an hour away

Students from Hong Kong may enjoy visiting

the bustling cities of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; or Seattle just two

hours drive south (also accessible by train).

Seattle

Be part of a joyful international community

Every effort will be made to ensure a comfortable and productive stay at the Summer Institute for students from Hong Kong. The following guidelines will ensure a smooth foreign study program in the U.S.

Classes are taught in English, • or if taught by a Tibetan teacher, such as Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen, classes are translated into English. Proficiency in the English language is therefore necessary.

After attending the Summer Institute, • students will have the opportunity to continue their Nitartha studies through online streaming video of classes that continue the educational track.

Annual visits to the Summer Institute move •students fairly rapidly through the curriculum because of the immersion format.

Program participants may fly into either • Vancouver, B.C., Canada; or into Seattle, Washington in the U.S.

Students must secure their own temporary • student visas and comply with all necessary U.S. regulations. To take advantage of attending the Summer Institute in July, participants are advised to apply for their visas immediately.

Information about transportation to the • Summer Institute from Vancouver and Seattle will be sent to registered students.

Participants may register for either the first • two-week session; or for the entire month (see payment details).

Participants may want to arrange extra time • in Vancouver or Seattle before or after the Summer Institute.

Summer Institute fees allow for single occupancy, • or double occupancy at a reduced rate. Rooms are comfortable and include wireless internet access.

The program fee includes three meals a day, provided in • the student dining room.

Root texts and course resource books may be purchased • at the campus bookstore. Please allow extra money to pay for these, and any notebooks or study materials you may need. An amount of approximately $150 is average for a first-time student.

Mind & Its World serie• s—valid cognition of Lorik (Classifications of Mind) and the Hinayana philosophical systems.

Clear Thinking series• —clarifying the dharma of genuine meaning and the relationships between phenomena, Dudra (Collected Topics) and Tarik (Classifications of Reasons).

Mahayana studies• —Mind Only, Middle Way, Buddha Nature, and Stages of the Path.

Advanced studies• —texts such as Madhyamakavatara, Abhisamayalankara, and Dharmadharmatavibhanga.

In addition, other modules and programs • include:

Tibetan language studies.•

Insight, Compassion and Healing • module for health professionals and those with interest in healing.

Hong Kong students may continue their studies after the Summer Institute through Nitartha’s online distance learning opportunities. Taking the first courses in person of Mind & Its World and Clear Thinking is a pre-requisite for online classes.

Sample Daily ScheduleSunday through Friday (Saturdays are free days)

The day • begins at 7:00 a.m. with optional Lujong, Body-Mind exercises.

Breakfast•

Chants, meditation and classes • (includes analytical meditation).

Lunch family style in the University • cafeteria.

Afternoon classes or optional personal • study time. Includes an afternoon tea break.

Dinner family style in the University • cafeteria.

Evening: choice of open time, elective • classes or personal study time.

The day ends with “quiet time” after • 10:00 p.m.

Note that generally, students attend 4-5 class periods and have 1-2 study periods during

The Summer Institute Curriculum

Single Session July 17 - 31Aug 1 - 14

Tuition Only.Tuition + room & board (double) Tuition + room & board (single)

$775$1,465$1,495

Both Sessions July 17 - August 14 Tuition Only.Tuition + room & board (double) Tuition + room & board (single)Monastics (double)Monastics (single)

$1,525$2,600$2,700$1,550$1,595

Tuition, Room & Board (US Dollars)Application Deadline is May 31st

A deposit of $350 US by May 31st is required to reserve a place.It is customary to offer a teaching gift in addition to program fees.

$150 to $200 per session is the recommended amount.