Bylakuppe: 421 students, including 41 nuns, at Namdrol-ling monastery who completed their Buddhist studies received their MA diplomas in Buddhist philosophy on Friday (3rd September). The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, presented the degrees at the graduation ceremony in Bylakuppe, Karnataka state, South India.
Thousands of people including Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, the prime minister of Tibetan government in-exile, abbots and Rinpoches of the Tibetan monasteries in South India, representatives of the Tibetan communities and other top oficials also attended the ceremony. Namdrol-ling is one of the largest Tibetan Nyingma universities to offer Khenpo (Tibetan: Uma and Pharshin) philosophy courses. The graduating class have studied there for nine years, focusing on the Madhyamike and Prajñaparamita.
Namdroling was established by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche shortly after he came to India from Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrated the spot and bequeathed the name "Namdroling Monastery." Today the monastery is home to nearly 5000 monks and nuns, and is renowned as a center for the pure upholding of the teachings of the Buddha. Each year students of outstanding scholarship and wisdom graduate after completing the nine-year course. The standard of training they receive is extremely high and those graduates who are selected to become Khenpos are then sent to teach in different Nyingmapa monasteries and centers.
