UPDATED: 44th Annual Seminar and the 12th International RYI Symposium
Rangjung Yeshe Institute is delighted to announce that the 44th Annual Seminar will take place this year from November 22 to 30 at Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling (Thousand Buddha Temple) in Lumbini, Nepal.
In conjunction with the Annual Seminar, RYI is also excited to announce the 12th International RYI Symposium. This event will take place on November 16th and 17th in Boudha, focusing on the topic of “The Scholar-Practitioner in the Age of AI”.
This two-day symposium will be broadcast live. Please register here, and for more information about the event, click here.
The Fall Seminar
The fall seminar has been a cornerstone of RYI since its inception. The Institute emerged from the annual fall seminars that Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, the abbot of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery and the founder of the Rangjung Yeshe Institute, initiated in 1981. Each seminar offers a concise introduction into Buddhist thought, from the foundational principles up to the ultimate view of reality according to the Dzogchen tradition. This offers a unique opportunity for students of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners, to receive a comprehensive explanation of the Buddhist path. The seminar’s study program is complemented with meditation sessions, thereby providing a combination of philosophical and contemplative education.
Location:
Lumbini, located in southern Nepal, is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. This sacred site holds immense significance for both Buddhist scholars and practitioners worldwide. Lumbini features numerous ancient ruins, including the Maya Devi Temple, which enshrines the spot of the Buddha’s birth, and the Ashoka Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE to commemorate his pilgrimage to this sacred site. These historical and archaeological treasures, coupled with the serene monastic zones established by various Buddhist communities, make Lumbini a vital pilgrimage destination and a focal point for scholarly research on early Buddhist history and culture.
Schedule:
| November 16-17, 2024 | 12th RYI Symposium in Boudha |
| November 19 – 21, 2024 | Pujas at Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling (The Thousand Buddha Temple) |
| November 22, 2024 (Lhabab Düchen) | Grand inauguration of the Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling (The Thousand Buddha Temple) in Lumbini |
| November 23-27, 2024 | Thousand Buddhas Empowerment and teaching by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche |
| November 24-27, 2024 | Annual Fall seminar in Lumbini |
| November 28-30, 2024 | Seminar retreat (with focus on Tara’s Triple Excellence) in Lumbini |
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche invites all staff and students to attend the seminar. The seminar is open to all participants without any prerequisites.
To give students the opportunity to participate, RYI classes will not run from Thursday, November 21st to Friday, November 29th. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2nd.
RYI will arrange transportation to and from Lumbini for RYI students and staff, traveling together as a group via bus. The bus to Lumbini will depart on November 21st and the bus to Kathmandu will return on December 1st. To sign up for the transportation, please register here. The deadline to sign up for RYI buses is October 25th.
RYI will not be arranging accommodation at Lumbini. We encourage everyone to make a hotel booking for the event in Lumbini soon. Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling monastery is located HERE. If you would like to be within walking distance of the monastery, book a guesthouse/hotel near gate 9.
Online streaming
The annual seminar will be live-streamed for those who would like to participate online. Registration for the online Annual Fall Seminar will open a few days before the seminar begins, and we encourage students who are not in Nepal to join us online.
Further details about these events will be made available at the time of registration.
Registration to attend the seminar in person: Himalayan sangha is requested to visit the monastery reception for registration with two photos and a copy of citizenship no later than November 20. Registration for international sangha will be found here.
As in recent years, the seminar is free of charge. If you have any questions about attending the seminar and retreat in Lumbini, please contact seminar@shedrub.org
