Nalanda translates as "the place that confers the lotus (of spiritual knowledge)," and was the name of the great Buddhist university that flourished for some 1800 years in ancient India. Bodhi translates as "enlightenment."
Under the direction of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche , Nalandabodhi was established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the genuine teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with an international community. Since Nalandabodhi's inception in 1997, Rinpoche has, under the Nalandabodhi umbrella, established centers and study groups in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The main activities of Nalandabodhi are to:
1. Provide students with a complete, graduated curriculum of Dharma study and a path of practice, along with appropriate text books and materials 2. Publish the oral commentaries of important contemporary teachers 3. Pursue the translation and publication of religious texts by significant historic teachers 4. Support communication between the western and international Buddhist communities.
In accordance with the vision of contributing to an authentic transmission of the Buddha's teachings to contemporary students, The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche has designed a complete, progressive curriculum providing in-depth training in study, reflection and meditation.
A graduate of the Kagyu shedra (monastic university) founded by the Sixteenth Karmapa, and a leading scholar of Kagyu educational traditions, Rinpoche has spent many years living and teaching in the West. This exceptional combination of training and experience uniquely qualifies Rinpoche to adapt the traditional study and practices of Tibetan Buddhism to our modern international communities-in the West as well as the East. To this end, Rinpoche has designed a modern curriculum for Western lay students based on the traditional Kagyu shedra curriculum.
In 1998, the Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche graciously assumed the position of Spiritual Director of Nalandabodhi and currently works closely with Rinpoche on the development of all phases of the curriculum.
Formal study at Nalandabodhi Dharma Centers presently consists of a Hinayana and Mahayana curriculum that encorporate source book materials, lectures, discussion groups, and exams. This curriculum is also available for home-study. Many students who wish to develop their study and practice may not have access to a local dharma center or may be unable to attend formal teachings or other practice programs. Rinpoche's home-study curriculum allows students, wherever located, to follow an authentic, in-depth course of study and practice when the support of a local center is not available. Nalandabodhi students study and practice within the lineages of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions held by Rinpoche.
Nalandabodhi supports Buddhist chaplains in the West by developing English-language liturgies and ceremonies appropriate for major life events such as weddings, baptisms and funerals. Additionally, Nalandabodhi works with Buddhist chaplains in hospital and hospice environments to formulate skillful methods for applying Buddhist principles to their work.
Bodhi Heart is a project that primarily organizes sponsorships for the education of Tibetan Refugee children as well as providing financial aid to refugee families in need of medicine, food, and clothing. In addition, it provides monks and nuns with financial assistance to enable them to continue their studies and to assist with food, clothing, and medical care.
Nalandabodhi Publications has, to date, published several books, transcripts and practice manuals currently in use by the Nalandabodhi sangha. Several other publications, for public distribution, are in development. Essential activities include the archiving, transcribing, editing, and publishing of the recorded teachings of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, and other major contemporary lineage holders, including the Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche.
Drawing on the growing archives of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, selected audio and video taped teachings are available to supplement the study and practice curriculums. For a complete catalog of teachings and purchasing information, please contact Bodhi Dharma Store or Vajra Echoes.
The translation project provides accurate translations of classical religious texts by historic Buddhist teachers with a balance of traditional and modern methods of presentation.
Bodhi is a quarterly magazine that features the dharma teachings of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, as well as providing their teaching schedules and periodic information on the activities and projects of Nalandabodhi. Articles by guest contributors, interviews, sangha news, poetry and artwork are also featured. For more information on how to subscribe, purchase past issues, or advertise, please visit Bodhi on line.
