Kilung’s Monastic College

In former times, Kilung’s shedra, or monastic college, was a flourishing institution with several hundred students. It later became one of the casualties of the fervor that hit Tibet in the mid-20th century. From the ground up, the college had to be rebuilt after four desolate decades. A photo from the year 2000 shows monks and lamas sitting on an empty snow-covered hillside, upon the spot that Kilung Rinpoche decided to rebuild. We broke ground soon after, and by 2003, the huge shedra building was complete. The following year it was consecrated in a grand ceremony, and on September 23, 2005, the first group of young monks entered to undertake the ancient depth training of Tibetan Buddhism.

Shedra studies are a crucial element in the vast array of Vajrayana understanding, which is highly developed and intellectual, with philosophical understandings as fine as grains of sand. The degree of khenpo which shedras confer is equivalent to a PhD in philosophy, and the possibilities of specializing in one or more “minors” are many. Shedra, then, forms the essential backbone of this unique system leading to ultimate enlightenment of the human mind.

Since 2006, Khenpo Sonam Tashi, of Kilung community, has been the scholar heading the program. Kilung Rinpoche said, “He’s so amazing, not only for the shedra, but taking care of whatever is necessary for the monastery in general. Khenpo is effective at leading young monks, and inspiring the others. He conveys his confidence that the monastery will come back together as in ancient times.”

The initial class was made of 20 monks mostly 18-25 years old. Some of these have already gone on to become regular monks. Others will continue with one of the complete shedra programs. Additional young monks will continue to join the program as they come of age. Other older regular monks, who have been very inspired by the khenpo’s leadership, program, and the improvements of the monastery, have also since joined the shedra.

There are two courses of study:

Four-Year Program

General Buddhist Education Degree, basic level. Those receiving this degree are able to teach in a limited way the basics of Buddhism to monastics or lay people. Some may choose to enter regular monks' life, and/or to receive the education for their own experience, practice and development.

Eight-Year Program

Khenpo Degree, after passing specific examinations, including orals, and evidence of inner spiritual development. This degree confers the qualifications to train students. After an intensive three- to five-year retreat, they may achieve the title of Dorje Lopon, Vajra Master.

Curriculum

Each year specifies which texts are studied or memorized. They include the Five Major and Five Minor Buddhist Doctrines or Sciences.* Each year includes five major texts, including sutra and tantra. For example, the first year includes memorization of sutras, understanding logic and philosophy, and testing. First year texts include the Bodhicaryavatara, 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, and logic texts. The later years include Dzogchen and Advanced Tantra texts.

*The five major sciences consist of the “inner science” of Buddhist philosophy and contemplation, and the “outer sciences” of logic, grammar, medicine, and the artistic crafts. Five minor sciences consist of poetics, metrics, lexicography, drama, and astrology/astronomy.

The generous support of Kilung contributors was responsible for the rebuilding and renewal of Kilung shedra, inside and out.

Become a sponsor of Kilung shedra monks for $10 per month.