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.