COURSES - Pramana (Epistemology and Logic) studies

Those students who have joined the Institute after passing 10th grade (Matriculation) from Tibetan High Schools in exile must work hard in improving their knowledge of Tibetan Language and grammar and poetry for their personal development. Even if they are unable to score well in these subjects they have exceptions. They would intend to take BA and MA degrees from Indian colleges and universities by correspondence course.

The results in the branch subjects of the students from the same class always vary. If a particular student is good in English and Buddhism but is poor in Tibetan literature and Tibetan handwriting, the Principal wouldn't release him to work as interpreter. Again, if a student is good in Buddhism, Tibetan literature and Tibetan handwriting he would be recommend to serve as a Tibetan language teacher in a Central school.
The texts like Nagarjuna's 'Six Collections of Reasoning's' lay and Chandrakirti's 'Entrance to the Middle Way', which laid down the profound stages of the Mahayana path, are widely accepted as the great texts of Madhyamika.

Master Dignaga's 'Compendia of Knowledge' and Master Dharmakirti's 'Seven Treatises of Valid Cognition' and their commentaries by other Buddhist scholars are the key works on Buddhist Logic and Epistemology. The texts such as the 'Compedia of Knowledge' by Asanga and Treasury of Knowledge by Vasubandu and their commentaries are called the great texts of Abhidharma.

Since Buddhism emphasies on the importance of ethical morality within the context of spiritual well-being of the individual as well as the society at large, in order to reach the final goal of Complete Enlightenment or Buddhahood. Vinaya is the foundation of all spiritual development and progress. Since Vinyasutra by the Indian Master Gunaprabha and it's commentaries explain the Buddhist ethics in great detail they are called the great texts of Vinaya.

With respect to these studies, the First Jamyang Sheipa Rinpoche prays thus:

May I become an unmatched person of wisdom like
The Masters Aryavimuktisena and Haribhadra,
In correctly interpreting the ocean-like Perfect Wisdom teachings,
The 'Mother of Buddhas', 'Ornament for Clear Realization', etc.

May I gain true insight into the flawless Madyamika teaching, based on
The 'Fundamental Text', its 'Supplement' and the 'Four Hundred'. etc..
By Master Nagarjuna with mere untested belief in them.
May I be unsatisfied with mere untested belief in them.

May I cross the ocean of Abhidharma, by reason and citation.
Mastering the texts of brothers Asanga and Vasubandu,
Which explain the fivefold domain of analysis
Into specific and universal natures of phenomena.

May I become supreme in vanquishing the adversaries,
By correctly understanding 'The Compendia of Logic' and
'The Sevenfold Pramana Texts', which prove that the Doctrine
Is the sole haven for those wishing freedom from samsara.

May conscientiousness sustain me permanently
Having fathomed the oceanic scriptures of Vinaya,
That are the foundation of Buddha's teaching, the supreme haven
From which one sails to the 'city of liberation'.

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