Jan-Jun Application

4 years Duration

Budget per year

OVERVIEW CURRICULUM KEY INFORMATION ADMISSION TUITION FEE ACCOMMODATION

OVERVIEW

ABOUT

Rangjung Yeshe Institute offers courses in Buddhist philosophy and in Tibetan, Sanskrit and Nepali languages. The courses combine traditional Tibetan Buddhist teachings with a modern Buddhist Studies perspective. Classes are held in the unique setting of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monastery in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal. Students are encouraged to integrate themselves fully in the local culture and environment and enjoy Nepal's outstanding hospitality and natural beauty to the fullest.

Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language

The Centre for Buddhist Studies offers a four-year program in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA). The courses in the BA program fall within two main areas of study: Buddhist Philosophy, History, and Culture, and Himalayan Language. For the BA degree, approximately two thirds of the courses concern Buddhist philosophy while the remaining third consists of courses in Himalayan languages such as Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Nepali, although students can choose to emphasize philosophy over language or vice versa.

By the end of the BA program, successful students will have developed a broad knowledge of the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition and its historical and philosophical development, and a deep knowledge of the Tibetan approach to Buddhist philosophical study. In terms of language ability, depending on the emphasis placed by each student, he or she will be conversant in modern Tibetan and Nepali, able to read classical Tibetan and Sanskrit, and follow teachings directly in Tibetan, or possess some combination of these skills.

CURRICULUM

Program of Study

Candidates for the BA degree must earn a total of 120 credit units from the following categories.

A minimum of 36 credits must be in the area of Specialized Textual Studies.

Specialized Textual Studies :

• Buddhist Philosophy and Hermeneutics I-II: 6 credits each (Required)

• Buddhist Philosophy and Hermeneutics III-VI: 3 credits each

• Advanced Studies in Buddhist Philosophy and Hermeneutics I-VI: 6 credits each

• Buddhist Philosophical Discourse: I-IV: 3 credits each

• Buddhist Studies Summer Program: I-III: 6 credits each

A minimum of 24 credits must be in the combined areas of Critical Studies in Buddhist Doctrine and Historical and Cultural Studies in Religion.

Critical Studies in Buddhist Doctrine :

• Fundamentals of Buddhist Philosophy: 3 credits (Required)

• Buddhist Scripture: 3 credits

• Buddhist Meditation Practices: 3 credits

• Methodology of Buddhist Studies: 3 credits (Required)

• Buddhist Ethics: 3 credits

• Yogācāra Thought: 3 credits

• Madhyamaka Thought: 3 credits

• Buddhist Philosophy in the Indian Philosophical Context: 3 credits

• Buddha Nature Thought: 3 credits

•Buddhist Epistemology: 3 credits

Historical and Cultural Studies in Religion :

• Buddhist Traditions: History and Culture I: 3 credits (Required)

• Buddhist Traditions: History and Culture II: 3 credits (Required)

• Anthropological Study of Nepalese Religions: 3 credits

• Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism: 3 credits

• Tibetan Culture in Tibet and Nepal: 3 credits

• Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley: 3 credits

• Buddhism and Development: 3 credits

• Buddhism and Psychology: 3 credits

• Buddhism and Science: 3 credits

• Buddhist Art: 3 credits

• Buddhist Ritual: 3 credits

• Independent Research Project: 3 credits

• Special Topics in Buddhist Studies: 3 credits

• Optional BA Dissertation: 12 credits

A minimum of 36 credits must be in the area of Himalayan Language.

Himalayan Language :

• Nepali I: 3 credits (Required)

• Nepali II - VI: 3 credits each

• Sanskrit I-VI: 3 credits each

• Classical Tibetan I-IV: 3 credits each

• Classical Tibetan Translation Project I-II: 3 credits each

• Advanced Classical Tibetan Seminar I: 3 credits

• Colloquial Tibetan I-VI: 3 credits each

• Academic English and Advanced Study Methods: 6 credits

• Academic English I - II: 3 credits each

An additional 24 credits are required, and may be taken from any category.

KEY INFORMATION

Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate studies are for those who have completed higher secondary school (10+2) but have not earned a bachelor's degree, or for those who have completed a bachelor's degree program in a different discipline and now want to join a program of Buddhist Studies.

Undergraduate students may enroll in the full four-year BA program or alternatively, study as visiting students or non-degree students.

Please note that the entry requirement of a higher secondary school diploma may, in exceptional circumstances, be waived for applicants seeking to enroll as non-degree students, but that such students will not be eligible to receive study visas.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants who are not native speakers or do not hold a BA degree from a university in an English-speaking country should submit documentation establishing their English language proficiency. TOEFL and IELTS exam results are acceptable. For admittance to the BA program, applicants must have a TOEFL score of at least 550, or a score of 80 on the iBT. Alternatively students may submit an IELTS result with an overall score of 6.0 and no score lower than 5.0 on any one band.

ADMISSION

BA students must have a higher secondary school transcript (through grade 12). Applicants whose native language is not English and who do not have a BA degree from a university in an English-speaking country must have a TOEFL score of at least 550, a score of 80 on the iBT, or IELTS score of at least 6.0 and no score lower than 5.0 on any one band.

Admissions Process and Course Dates

All applications to RYI/CBS are accepted online through the RYI Portal. RYI/CBS does not accept written applications submitted by mail or in person. Should you need assistance with application, contact us.Depending on the program for which you apply, some or all of the following items are required:

Personal Details
Application Essay
Academic transcripts and diplomas, with English translations where applicable
Letter(s) of reference
Proof of English language proficiency
Application fee

Application Fee	Regular Application	Late Application
Nepalese	NPR 500	NPR 1,000
SAARC	US$35	US$70
International (others)	US$50	US$125

So how to start your application?

For program-specific information regarding the application process, please click on the program name below and follow the instructions provided there.Once your complete application is submitted, it will be reviewed by RYI's admissions committee. The time required to review applications is normally between two and four weeks. You will be notified by email once a decision has been made.Successful applicants are required to formally accept the offer of admission by email and to pay the full tuition fee, or initial deposit (see individual requirements for each program), in order to secure their place in the program.

The next program starts on August 21, 2019.

Applications are accepted each year between January 1 and July 1.Late application is possible from July 1 until start of the program. (Note: a late application fee will apply.)

TUITION FEE

Apply Now - Early Application Fee Reduction

RYI is pleased to offer a financial aid opportunity for applicants to the BA, MA, MA preparatory program, and summer intensive programs. The Early Application Fee Reduction is available to any applicant who completes his or her application to these programs within the first month of the open application period.

BA, MA, and MA prep applicants will receive a ten percent scholarship for their first semester of study if their application is submitted during the first month of the application period. Subsequent semesters will not be eligible for the early application fee reduction. Those interested can apply for these programs by clicking the names of the programs linked above.

Summer intensive program applicants will receive a ten percent fee reduction on summer program tuition if their application is submitted between October 1 and October 31. The award is contingent upon successful admission to the summer intensive program. Interested students can apply for the summer intensive program of their choice here.

Eligibility: who can apply?

Applicants of all nationalities are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

Timing and Award Decisions

Applicants who are successful in gaining admission to their program will be notified within two weeks of application.

ACCOMMODATION

Living Expenses

To help students calculate their financial needs, the table below shows an estimate of costs for the academic year 2018-2019 in US dollars. This allows for a simple-to-average level of comfort, but not luxurious living.

Study visa fee (US$20/month)	$160 (Sept - April, 8 months)
Books and supplies	$250 (Sept - April)
Room and board**(US$500/month)	$4,500 (Aug - April, 9 months)
Optional field trips	$250
TOTAL	$5160

**Room and board costs are, as mentioned above, estimated for simple-to-average living in Nepal. If you would like to rent an apartment, costs will vary depending on location and size. These days, smaller apartments start around US$180 per month, but can be as expensive as US$350 per month. Larger, fancy apartments can cost as much as US$460 per month. Costs increase the closer the apartment is to the stupa. Further away from the center of Boudhanath, rooms and apartments tend to be cheaper. In terms of food cost, it is cheaper if you cook for yourself or eat at the RYI restaurant (about US$2 for lunch) than eating at recommended restaurants nearby (about US$4.50 for lunch). Local restaurants that do not cater to foreigners are even cheaper, but the chances of getting ill from eating at these restaurants is quite high. One of the cheapest options is living with a Tibetan or Nepalese family, who usually charge about US$150 for a room, breakfast, and dinner. Another cheap option is to rent an apartment, share rooms with other students, and cook for yourselves.

Rangjung Yeshe Institute

RYI envisions a world in which a wide diversity of people, interested in learning about Buddhism, has easy access to a living Buddhist tradition in order to foster the qualities of wisdom and compassion for the benefit of all sentient beings.