Rime Institute of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophical Study in the non-sectarian tradition

Manjushri is the embodiment of the discriminating awareness (prajña) of all the Buddhas (fully enlightened mind) and represents the perfected state of the faculty of intelligence within each individual's mental continuum. He is normally depicted holding the sword of knowledge and the book of wisdom.

Welcome to the Rime Institute Shedra!

The Shedra is an ongoing project, with eventual recognition for the achievement of students. All teachings have been recorded at Rinpoche’s center in Madison, either with Shedra students in attendance, or privately when his schedule has allowed. All teachings have been archived. Since they were taught to groups of students, there is an informal atmosphere on the recordings, with students asking questions, and Rinpoche speaking about other center matters. We feel these teachings are a great resource, in keeping with Rinpoche’s goal to create a Sangha of learned practitioners who not only practice meditation with diligence, but also understand the philosophical basis behind the techniques.

The Shedra program was originally designed to follow a three-year structure, with two sessions a year covering one or more texts by various authors. As the program developed and we gained more experience, Rinpoche felt he was not doing justice to the great writings by placing them in short 12-week sessions. Therefore, some texts - such as Longchenpa’s Treasury of Spiritual Systems (grub mtha' mdzod) - have continued into multiple sessions. Other texts have remained in shorter sessions.

The Shedra has it own online forum where quiz questions are asked, debates held and thoughts posted. Please contribute to make it successful!

Requirements:

  • All Shedra students must be able to download the recorded teachings (MP3 format)
  • Assigned texts are acquired on ones own.
  • Registration must be paid in full at the beginning of the sessions.
  • Shedra students must participate in the forum on a weekly basis.
  • The forum is meant to encourage discussion and debate in absence of traditional Tibetan debate techniques. This encourages memorization and learning. Weekly quiz questions are asked. All forum activity is monitored by Rinpoche and senior students.
  • At the end of each session, students must arrange an interview with Rinpoche to answer final exam questions. This is not a pass/fail but a way for Rinpoche to personally clarify confusion or mistakes.
  • Sessions must be taken in order.

The additional studies will include in-depth and contemplation practices of the Longchenpa's Treasury of the Natural State (gnas lugs mdzod) and Treasury of the Dharmadhatu (chos dbyings mdzod), as well as selected texts from the Dzogchen tradition.

The optional texts to be covered will be announced. In the past Rinpoche has taught:

  • In Praise of Mahamudra of Definitive Meaning by Rangjung Dorje the 3rd Karmapa

  • In Praise of Dependent Origination (rten 'brel bstod pa bzhugs so) by Tsongkhapa

  • Garab Dorje's Three Words that Strike the Essential Points (Tsig Sum Nedek) by Patrul Rinpoche