Tibetan Buddhist Centre Opens in Qinghai
(Tsem Rinpoche)
Dear friends around the world,
I recently came across this article and thought it was interesting, so I wanted to share it with all of you. The article reports on the new Tibetan Buddhist Institute in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. The recently established centre offers an extensive education programme to the 120 monks who have enrolled there. The idea behind the Tibetan Buddhist Institute was originally proposed by the omniscient His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama, and four other institutes have been set up in other areas as well.
It is wonderful to read that the practice of studying Buddhism is still strong and alive in China. It goes to show that even the younger generations are interested in their spiritual journey to enlightenment, and that people still listen to the advice of the great and holy beings such as the Panchen Lama for the betterment of themselves and the world.
Tsem Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Center Opens in Qinghai
By Chen Heying | Source:Global Times | Published: 2016/11/10 23:08:39
120 lamas to study classics, politics for higher degrees
A new Tibetan Buddhist center was recently established in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, to teach Buddhist classics and political theories.
The Qinghai Tibetan Buddhist Institute, which held an opening ceremony on Monday, has enrolled 120 lamas. There are two classes, one for Chin Ram Pa, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree and the other for Chan Ram Pa, equivalent to a master’s degree, tibet.cn, a website affiliated with the Chinese central government, reported on Sunday.
The curriculum will include Buddhist theories, Tibetan and mandarin Chinese languages, as well as political theories.
“Monks generally start to learn Buddhism in their temples and receive further education in institutes of Tibetan Buddhism, which are established by branches of the Buddhist Association of China in Tibet, Northwest China’s Qinghai and Gansu provinces, and Southwest China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces,” Zhu Xiaoming, former Party chief of China Tibetology Research Center, told the Global Times.
Tibet and the Tibetan-inhabited areas in four other provinces have set up one Tibetan Buddhist institute each following a proposal by the late 10th Panchen Lama. The number of students ranges from 100 to 400, according to media reports.
“The number of monks who are allowed to learn both in temples and in institutes is limited,” Zhu said.
According to Freedom of Religious Belief in China whitepaper in 1997, China has more than 13,000 Buddhist temples and about 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns. Among them, 120,000 are lamas and nuns.
In Qinghai Tibetan Buddhist Institute, only 120 lamas were selected from some 400 candidates based on an entrance test. The exam focuses on Tibetan language and politics, said tibet.cn.
Monasteries, in particular, need to apply to local religious affairs authorities for more enrollment quotas before allowing more monks to study, Zhu said.
The local government in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, Sichuan Province renovated residential buildings at Larung Gar, one of the world’s largest Buddhist learning centers, and expelled unregistered students, in response to a steady influx of tourists.
A new regulation introduced in 2015 specified that the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China will now only award the Tho Ram Pa diploma, an academic rank equivalent to a doctoral degree. The Chi Ram Pa diploma will be administered by Buddhist colleges at lower levels which are already responsible for the Chin Ram Pa, the Xinhua News Agency reported in July 2015.
According to the new regulation, China’s Buddhist colleges may enroll overseas students and scholars, but to obtain a diploma, they must meet the same requirements as Chinese applicants.
Source: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1017236.shtml
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A new Tibetan Buddhist centre established in Qinghai Province has proven China are more opened to religious freedom. As advice and proposal of H.H.The 10th Panchen Lama they established a Buddhist centre and four other institutes in China. More and more people are into the practice of Tibetan Buddhism as it has since spread to other parts of the world. In 2009, UNESCO listed it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. That is a wonderful news.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Great news …. a new Tibetan Buddhist center was established in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It has proof that China has accepted Tibetan Buddhism and has open its doors to other religion as well. Chinese authority has established the monastery following the advice and proposal of H.H.The 10th Panchen Lama . Well Tibetan Buddhism is fast spreading to the other parts of China. China has invested in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries to produce next younger generation of religious leaders teaching Buddhist classics and political theories. In recent years, the growing investment and government efforts into educational resources mainly in Tibetan areas of the province have increased dramatically.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
These are good news! Tibetan Buddhism is spreading all over the world and new centers are very important for its growth.
There were 400 canditates but only 120 lamas passed the test in Qinghai Tibetan Buddhist Institute. The test focussed on Tibetan language and politics. The curriculum will be on Buddhist theories, Tibetan and Mandarin Chinese language as well as political theories.
These are very good developments in China!
Its a fantastic news to hear there is a new Tibetan Buddhist center recently established in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. This has lots of significant to the development and growth of Buddhism in China. This means there will be many more monks that are able to speak and teach Buddhism in Chinese. Thanks million to the great efforts done by the late 10th Panchen Lama, now we can see Buddhism starts to grow in China, home to 1.375 billion of people, together with the official certification and assistant by Chinese Officials.
Rejoice to Qinghai Tibetan Buddhist Institute as there are 120 monks have enrolled in Buddhist studies. This is good news not just for the people in Qinghai (China) but the people in the world. This is because by learning and practicing Buddha’s teachings, we can protect ourselves from suffering and problems that we might experience during daily life which is originated in ignorance. With Buddha’s teachings, we can find and develop our inner peace and happiness and ultimately towards enlightenment. As such, it is believed that the number of enrolment for Buddhist studies will definitely increase in the future.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this wonderful article.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. This is indeed a great news to hear. We really hope more and more people especially the younger generation to study or practice Buddhism as we all need it at this very degenerate age. I rejoice to the opening of the center in Qinghai.
With folded palms,
Vivian
This is very interesting. Glad to see that China is making efforts to preserve and maintain the standard of Buddhist teachers in China.
Although they mention that the teachers are studying politics, but it doesn’t mean the monks are involved in or required to teach politics in their sermons. Politics is actually an important factor for them to learn about as the current state of politics reflect what society’s concerns are about. Only by knowing the pressing issue, worries and mentality of the society can the Dharma teacher teach effectively. I think it is very smart that China expose their Buddhist teachers to politics.
Hopefully their intake will eventually be more than just 120 students. I’m sure many people around the world will be interested to join the program as well.
So they learn political theory, but it doesn’t mean they need to use or teach it. What they DO get in return though, is a Dharma education and being able to speak Mandarin and Tibetan, which means they can teach anyone and everyone in China.
Hence this to me is fantastic news! It’s good to see the Chinese making strides in religious education and in protecting religious freedoms. Although their manner of conveying information and presenting their works may not be in a style we are familiar with, and perhaps there will always be some doubt about their intentions, why are we complaining when the process will result in Dharma teachers who are educated with the same skills and knowledge as someone who lives in a monastery?
Should we disregard the works of this institute just because it’s established by the Chinese? What a racist and limited attitude to take, when Buddha never said Buddhism was restricted to any particular culture or race.
So instead of complaining, it would be more effective if we rejoiced in the positive things happening for Buddhists in China, and encourage more activities to take place. If our real interest is in the preservation of the Buddhadharma, and of the traditions in Tibet, let’s grasp any opportunity available to do this, regardless of who is behind the initiatives! All in all, it seems things are very simple when it comes to the Chinese leadership and religion – make sure it’s legal, make sure you’ve got the permits and anything is allowed.
As said, “The Dragon is rising and will fly high in the sky.” According to a religious white paper report, it was said China in 1997, has more than 13,000 Buddhist Temples, with 200,000 buddhist monks and nuns; amongst them 120,000 are Lamas and nuns. China, it was said had been accused of suppressing religious freedom, but has on the other hand, made an open statement that anybody, or anyone may practice any religion that one likes, because it is your individual rights to do so, as said by them! This is indeed a large contrast between the so-called “suppressed” and the “Suppresser”! Most countries are today succumbing to change their policies regarding China for making such a Declaration, which was tabulated in Reuters Report dated 21,Dec.,2015 – stibulating that citizens have the freedom of belief in Tibet. The Central Government and Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region fully respect the rights of citizens to freedom of belief. In Tibet, all religions and sects receive equal respects and protection and normal activities and religious belief is protected by the law! Many heart-felt thanks, and syalbas to you, China for your great compassion and kind understanding!
It is a wonderful news on the establishment of a Tibetan centre in Qinghai China. With this more young people who are interested in Tibetan Buddhism and monks can enroll to this centre. It creates more opportunities for the younger generation to learn Buddhism knowledge and later to benefit the others.
This only strengthens the government’s new approach to religion in China. They have softened their stance and actively encouraging spirituality.
They have given resources for restoring and renovating old monasteries and now, a new Tibetan Buddhist center established in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, to teach Buddhist classics and political theories.
Whatever, the government’s stance under Chairman Mao is very different that what it is today. I guess, we have to accept the change and embrace it.
Thank you for sharing this new.
This new Tibetan Buddhist Institute was established in Hainan Qinghai Province, China. Very excellent! May the dharma continue to grow, and with China’s influence at a global level may the dharma spread far and wide.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. It is great to see more and more Tibetan Buddhism schools being built in China. Meaning to say more and more people starting to learn Tibetan Buddhism. It is better that the younger generation learn it at this degenerate age to help them deal with matters better.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Thank you Rinpoche for the great news of the Tibetan Buddhist Centre opening in Qinghai province to offer an extensive educational program to the 120 monks who have enrolled there. Wonderful that the idea behind the Tibetan Buddhist Institute was originally proposed by His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama, and that the idea has taken root. What’s wonderful too is that there are four other similar institutes set up in other areas too! These are clear signs that the study of Buddhism is thriving among the young. It is great to know that the young do want to devote their lives to the study of Dharma.
However, the facilities must grow to accommodate more people. As it is, only 120 monks were selected from a group of 400 candidates.
It is interesting to note that academic degrees are being awarded; there is the Chin Ram Pa, the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree and the other the Chan Ram Pa, equivalent to a master’s degree. There is also an equivalent to a doctoral degree . The High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China will now award the Tho Ram Pa diploma, equivalent to a doctoral degree, in academic ranking.
Just to correct a mistake in a phrase in the first line of my last paragraph above : Error :”academic degrees” . Correction:”academic-styled degrees”
It is such a rejoice to read of new Tibetan Buddhist Centre opened in Qinghai. It really does show that there are still young people who had the interest in religion and take it as their life career of perpetuating Dharma. China is indeed true to its religious freedom policy and the Tibetan Buddhist Centres are offering three levels of degrees, Chin Ram Pa, Chan Ram Pa and Tho Ram Pa, equivalents of Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degree respectively. It is nice that the structure eduction in Buddhism will provide strong knowledge. May more centres be built to cater to the demand as it was mentioned that only 120 was chosen out of 400 candidates. May the Dharma flourish to help people discover their Buddhamind withing.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this encouraging news of Dharma being still very much alive in the young people. May they be blessed by wisdom of Lord Manjushri to spread the Dharma after graduation.
So a new Tibetan Buddhist Institute was established in Hainan Qinghai Province, China.Its a good news ,it show that Tibetan Buddhism is fast spreading to the other parts of China.More younger generations of China have shown interest in studying Buddhism.Tibet and the Tibetan-inhabited areas have set up one Tibetan Buddhist institute each following a proposal by the late 10th Panchen Lama.Its wonderful China still remembered the advice given by great the Master.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting article.
Rejoice! May Buddhism spread far and wide, thus, more sentient beings will be benefited. May people from all religions able to live together with harmony and respect, hence, wars and fights could be minimise and eventually stopped.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing the article. It is exciting news that the proper education system of Tibetan Buddhism has been established in China. I hope more spiritual seeds will be planted from here and flourished to the rest of China area. For my humble opinion, the religion is providing guideline to our daily life stlye or the way we live. It is neeeded to be restored in China.
I am amazed that the China authority still care and remember the proposal of H.H.The 10th Panchen Lama after He has entered to clear light for years.