Recent News
Most Popular

The Academic Curriculum of the Ngagyur Nyingma Nunnery Institute

Lower Sutra Course ‒ Ist Year

No.

Major Subject:

Author

1

Root-text: Domsum Namnge

(Ascertaining the Three Vows)

Ngari Pandita

Commentary: “Rigzin Jugngog” (The Track of Vidyadharas)

Khenpo Yontan Gyatso

2

Root-text: Bodhisattvacharyavatara (Engaging in the conducts of Bodhisattva)

Acharya Shantideva

Commentary: Annotated commentary

Zhenphen Nangwa

No.

Minor Subject:

Author

1

Root-text: Lungtenpai Tsawa Sumchupa

(Tibetan Grammar, “Thirty Verses”)


Thonmi Sambhota

Commentary: “Norbui Melong” (Mirror of Gems)

Khenpo Tsondru

2

Tagrig (Dialectical Syllogism)

Khenpo Tsondru

3

Root-text: Mula Sarvastivadin Sramanera Karika

(Verses on the Precepts of Novice)


Acharya Nagarjuna

Commentary: “Norbui Threngwa” (Rosary of Gems)

Mipham Rinpoche

4

Root-text: Visheshastava (Praise of Distinction to the Buddha)

Acharya Udhbhatasiddhaswami

Commentary: “Visheshastavatika” Indian commentary

Acharya Prajnavarma

5

History of Nyingma Teachings (Part-I)

Dudjom Rinpoche

 

Lower Sutra Course‒IInd Year 

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text: Madhyamakalankara Karika (The Ornament of the Middle Way)

Shantarakshita

Commentary: “Jamyang Lama Gyepai Zhallung”

(Words of the Delighted Master Manjugosha)

Mipham Rinpoche

2

“Khepai Tsulla Jugpai Go” (Gateway to the Ways of the Wise)

Mipham Rinpoche

No.

Minor Subject:

Author

1

Yidshin Zod Drubdue (Condensed Tenet Concepts from the Treasury of Wish Fulfilling Gem)

Mipham Rinpoche

2

Root-text: Lungtenpa Taggyi Jugpa (Tibetan Grammar, The Conjugation of Genders)

Thonmi Sambhota

Commentary: “Norbui Melong” (Mirror of Gems)

Khenpo Tsondru

3

History of Nyingma Teachings (Part II and III)

Dudjom Rinpoche

4

Political History of Tibet  (Until King Me-Agtsom, Trisong’s Father)

Dudjom Rinpoche

 

Lower Sutra Course‒IIIrd Year 

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text: Madhyamakavatara (Entering the Middle Way)

Acharya Chandrakirti

Commentary: Auto-Commentary

Acharya Chandrakirti

2

Root-text: Madhyamaka Prajna Mula Karika  (Root Verses on the Middle Way called Wisdom)


Acharya Nagarjuna

Commentary: "Ornament to Nagarjuna’s Intentions"

Mipham Rinpoche



3

Root-text: Catu Sataka Sastra Karika (Four Hundred Verses on the Middle Way)

Acharya Aryadeva

Commentary: "Ornament of Nagarjuna’s Intentions"

Bod-trul DongagTenpai Nyima

No.

Minor Subject:

Author

1

Root-text: Pramana Nyaya Pravesha (Door to Dialectical Logic)

Acharya Dignaga


2

Root-text: Don Namnge Sherab Raldri (Ascertaining the facts called Sword of Wisdom)


Mipham Rinpoche

Commentary: Thubtan Yongdzog Nang-Ged (The Entire Illuminating Buddha's Teaching)

Lhagsam Tenpai Gyaltshen

3

History of Nyingma Teachings (Part IV)

Dudjom Rinpoche

4

Political History of Tibet (From King Trisong’s Reign to Langdar’s reign)


Dudjom Rinpoche



5

Root-text: Kavyadarsha− the first half of the middle chapter (Treatise on Poetry and Composition called Mirror)


Acharya Dandi

Commentary: Yangchen Gyespai Roltso (Ocean that delights Saraswati)


Mipham Rinpoche

 


Lower Sutra Course ‒ IVth Year

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text:  Abhidharma Kosha Karika (Treasury of Explicit Teachings)

Acharya Vasubandhu

“Rincpoche's Doshel” (Jewel Necklace)

Mipham Rinpoche


2

Root-text:  Pramana Vartika, II Chapter

(Interpretative Treatise on Valid Conginition)


Acharya Dharmakirti

Commentary: “Legshed Nangwai Ter” (The Treasury of Illustrious Saying)


Mipham Rinpoche

No.

Minor Subject:

Author


1

Root-text:  Sherab Leu  (The 9th Wisdom Chapter of Bodhicaryavatara)

Acharya Shantideva

Commentary: Ketaka Gem

Mipham Rinpoche

2

Root-text:  Madhyanta Vibhanga Karika  (Distinguishing the Middle and Extremes)


Lord Maitriya

Commentary: Odzer Threngwa (The Garland of Lights)

Mipham Rinpoche

3

Biography of Palyul Throne Holders

Lama Jampal Zangpo

4

History of Nyingma Teachings (Part V)

Dudjom Rinpoche

5

Political History of Tibet (Part II and III)

Dudjom Rinpoche


6

Root-text:  Kavyadarsa− the Second half of the middle chapter (Treatise on Poetry and Composition called Mirror)


Acharya Dandi

Commentary: Yangchan Gyepai Roltso (Ocean that delights Goddess Saraswati)


Mipham Rinpoche

 

 

Higher Sutra Course ‒ Vth Year 

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text: Pramana Vartika−Ist Chapter

(Interpretative Treatise on Valid Conginition)


Acharya Dharmakriti

Commentary: “Legshed Nangwai Ter”

(The Treasury of Illustrious Saying)


Mipham Rinpoche


2

Root-text: Ngeshe Drome  (Lamp of Definite Understanding)

Mipham Rinpoche

Commentary: Lodro Nangwe Go Jed “Opening Key of Intellectual”


Khenpo Kunpal



3

Root-text: Mahayana Uttara Tantra Karika (Supreme Teachings on the Greater Vehicle)


Lord Maitriya

Commentary: Mipham Zhal-lung (Words of Maitriya)

Mipham Rinpoche


4

Root-text: Tongthun Sengei Ngaro (Exegesis on the Sugatagarbha“Lion’s Roar”)


Mipham Rinpoche

No.

Minor Subject:

Author

1

Root-text: Sutralankara Karika (Ornaments of Sutras)

Lord Maitreya

Commentary: “Thegchog Dutsei Gaton” (The Feast of Ambrosia of the Supreme Vehicle)


Mipham Rinpoche


2

Root-text: Ta Drub Shen Jyed (Root text of Discriminating the Views and Tenets)

Bod-trul Do-ngag Tenpai Nyima

Commentary: “Jamyang Gongjen” Ornament to Manjushri's Intention

Botrul Dongag Tenpai Nyima

3

History of Nyingma Teachings (Part VI)

Dudjom Rinpoche

 

Higher Sutra Course ‒ VIth Year 

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text:  Abhisamayalankara Karika (The Ornament of the Explicit Realisation)


Lord Maitriya

Commentary: “Don Sal” (Clear Meaning)

Acharya Haribhadra


2

Root-text:  Abhisamayalankara Karika (The Ornament of the Explicit Realisation)


Lord Maitriya

Commentary: “Sherchen Chidon”

(Exegesison  Abhisamayalankara Karika)


Pal-trul Rinpoche


3



Root-text:  PramanaVartika−3rd Chapter

(Interpretative Treatise on Valid Conginition)


Acharya Dharmakirti

Commentary: “Legshed Nangwai Ter”

Well-explained Luminous Treasure

Mipham Rinpoche

No.

Minor Subject:

Author


1

Root-text:  Dharmadharmata Vibhanga Karika (Distinguishing the Phenomena and Reality)


Lord Maitriya

Commentary: “Yeshe Nangwa Namjed” Distinguishing Clear Wisdom

Mipham Rinpoche

2

History of Nyingma Teachings (Part VII &VIII )

Dudjom Rinpoche

 

Tantra Course ‒ VIIth Year 

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text:  The Three Hundred Stanzas on the Novitiate (fundamental precept one to four)


Acharya Shakyaprabha

Commentary: "Rangdrel Oden"  Lustrous Auto-commentary

Acharya Shakyaprabha


2

Root-text:  Pramana Vartika− IVth Chapter

(Interpretative Treatise on Valid Conginition)


Acharya Dharmakirti

Commentary:  “Legshed Nangwai Ter” Treasury of Illustrious Sayings

Mipham Rinpoche


3

Root-text:  Yonten Rinpochei Dzod Gawai Char (Treasury of Enlightened Qualities called Shower of Joy)


Jigmed Lingpa

Commentary: "Nyimai Odzer" (The Rays of the Sun)

Khenpo Yontan Gyatso


4

Root-text:  Pal Sangwa Nyingpo (Essence of Clear Light)

Buddha Samantabhadra

Commentary: Chidon Odsal Nyingpo (Essence of Clear Light; an exegesis on Guhyagarbha Tantra)


Mipham Rinpoche


5

Root-text:  Chi Do Gong Pa Dupa, Vol. 1    

(The General Sutra that Gathers All Intentions)


Vajrapani

Commentary: Ziden Charkhai Odnang (Resplendent Rays of Twilight)


Khenpo Nuden

  

Tantra Course ‒ VIIIth Year 

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text:  The Three Hundred Stanzas on the Novitiate ( fundamental precept five onwards)


Acharya Shakyaprabha

Commentary:  "Rangdrel Oden"

Lustrous Auto-commentary


Acharya Shakyaprabha


2

Root-text:  Man-Ngag Tathreng (Rosary of Instructions on the Views)


Padmasambhava

Commentary of Man-Ngag Tathreng

Rongzom Mahapandita

3

Nangwa Lhadrub (Establishing the Appearance as the Divinity)

Rongzom Mahapandita


4

Root-text:  Yid Shin Rinpo Chei Dzod

(Treasury of Wish-Fulfilling Gems)


Longchenpa

Commentary:  “Padma Karpo” White Lotus

Longchenpa


5

Root-text:  Sangwa Nyingpo (Essence of Clear Light)

Buddha Samantabhadra

Commentary:  “Sang Nying Chidon Dzodkyi Demig” (Key to the Treasury)

Do-drub Tenpai Nyima


6

Root-text:  Chi Do Gong Pa Dupa, Vol. 2

(The General Sutra that Gathers All Intentions)


Vajrapani

Commentary:  Ziden Charkhai Odnang (Resplendent   Rays  of Twilight)


Khenpo Nuden

 

 Tantra Course‒IXth Year 

No.

Major Subject:

Author


1

Root-text:  Dzogpa Chenpo Sem Nyid Ngalso (Relaxing in the Nature of Mind)


Longchenpa

Auto-Commentary

Longchenpa


2

Thegchen Tsuljug (Entering the Mahayana Path)

Rongzom Mahapandita

3

Kagyad Namshed, (Explanation of Eight Pronouncements)

Mipham Rinpoche


4

Kyedrim Ogmin Drodpai Themke   (Instructions on the Development Steps to Akanistha Heaven)


Jigmed Lingpa


5

Srogdom Zershie Man-ngag (The Instructions on the Four Rivets of Meditation)


Pal-trul Rinpoche


6

Root-text:  Chi Do Gong Pa Dupa, Vol. 3&4 (The General Sutra that Gathers All Intentions)


Vajrapani

Commentary:  Ziden Charkhai Odnang (Resplendent   Rays   of Twilight)


Khenpo Nuden

 

EXAMINATIONS IN NNNI

The institute conducts examinations to become accustomed and skilled in writing literature, one of the three activities of traditional scholars. This also helps the institute to stay current with the modern system of education. To ensure that the students are progressing in their education and according to the wishes of His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, the Nunnery Institute conducts annual entrance examination, monthly examination and annual examination.

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

Every year on the 3rd day of the 2nd Tibetan month, when the Namdroling Institute reopens for a new session, the nuns who wish to join the scriptural college (Nunnery Institute) must participate in the written examination on subjects such as Tibetan Grammar, History of Tibet and Buddhism as well as an oral entrance examination. On the 8th day of the 2nd Tibetan month, the results are announced along with those of the institute examination for monks and nuns.

MONTHLY EXAMINATION

The Institute's monthly examinations are conducted only for the 1st year and 2nd year students on their root subjects every month or whenever it is suitable. The text duration in the monthly examination is the same as the annual examination. The main purpose of the monthly examination is to help the students gain experience for their future examinations. The questions for monthly exmainations will be arranged by a class teacher and the results are announced in the classroom.

ANNUAL EXAMINATION

The requirements for taking the annual examination are as follows: Apart from the exceptional one, students must have 80 percent class attendance. Oral test of the root subjects not less than 15 pages must be submitted on time. If the student has committed any serious disobedience during the academic year, the Board Committee shall consider its gravity and may thus restrict the student from appearing for the examination. If the student fails in her examination of a certain grade for three consecutive years, she shall not be allowed to appear for the annual examination. In short, the students who are qualified to take the annual examination are given preparation leave (self-study) from the 3rd to the 26th day of the tenth Tibetan month, a total of twenty four days before the annual examination which starts on the 27th of the tenth Tibetan month. All the subjects studied during the year are compiled into five papers. Preservation of question papers and maintenance of secrecy during the examination are conducted by the members of the examination controllers. After checking the students' answer papers thoroughly, the results are announced on the 8th day of the second Tibetan month along with those of the monks at Namdroling Institute. The two students with the highest marks in their class are rewarded on that day.