Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa - The Masters Program

The Masters Program

The ILTK Masters Program is based on several previous (and abortive) attempts to abbreviate and adapt the course of studies traditional among Gelugpa monks, to an audience whose members did not come from this background (i.e., the Western dharma students who formed the bulk of the FPMT's members). The first was a 12-year program designed by Lama Yeshe for the Manjushri Institute in Ulverston (Cumbria, England). Begun in 1978, it was taught by Geshe Jampa Tegchok, with assistance from Western monk Thubten Pende. It fell victim to factional struggle between followers of Lama Yeshe and Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. In 1982 a similar program was begun at Nalanda Monastery (France) with the same teachers, but failed to attract sufficient interest.

In 1980, Lama Yeshe asked his old friend and colleague from Sera Monastery, Geshe Jampa Gyatso, to become resident teacher in Pomaia. Geshe Jampa began teaching elements of Lama Yeshe's curriculum in 1983, though unsystematically. With the help of several FPMT educators (Thubden Pende and Joan Nicell), plans for the formal course were created. The first "Masters Program" was held between 1998 and 2004. About thirty students finished the course, with others participating in portions of it. A second course began in 2008, with some modifications, and is scheduled to continue until 2013. Geshe Jampa Gyatso died before it commenced, resulting in the appointment of his junior colleague, Geshe Tenzin Tenphel, as course teacher. In 2009 Geshe Tenphel resigned from this role, to be succeeded by Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Tegchok.

Five major texts are studied:

1. The Abhisamayalamkara (Ornament of Clear Realization), a commentary on the Prajnaparamitasutras, revealed by Maitreya to Asanga;

2. The Madhyamakavatara of Chandrakirti;

3. The Abhidharmakosa of Vasubandhu;

4. Kirti Losang Trinle's exposition on the Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra (commenting on Tsongkhapa's Great Exposition of the Stages of the Path of Tantra); and

5. Aku Sherab Gyatso's commentary on the Guhyasamaja Tantra.

Of these, the first three (along with works by Dharmakirti and Gunaprabha) constitute the major texts of the Gelugpa Geshe curriculum (cf. Tibetan Buddhist canon). The last two are associated with Gelugpa tantric colleges, Gyuto and Gyume, whose students traditionally entered after earning a Geshe degree. Guhyasamaja is a major tantric practice emphasized by Gelugpa lineages, owing perhaps to its prominence in the writings of Tsongkhapa (emphasized in the original, expanded curriculum as designed by Lama Yeshe).

In addition to the formal studies described above, participants engage in several meditation retreats, mostly focused on lamrim topics. Students are not expected to observe the five precepts, but are asked to aim at conduct according with them.

The Masters Program course includes both resident (in Pomaia) and on-line participants. Both groups receive a certificate upon completion, with the residential students additionally qualifying as FPMT teachers. Despite the name, the ILTK does not actually award a masters degree.