Khenpo Norgay

Khenpo Tenzin Norgay
at Namdroling Montana



About Khenpo

Khenpo Tenzin Norgay was born in the Tashigang District of Bhutan in 1965. After completing Jigme Sherubling High School in 1986, he joined Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, the prestigious Buddhist studies and research center, at Namdroling Monastery in Mysore. At the Institute he studied under Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenpo Namdrol Tsering and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso and other visiting professors, including Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok and Khenpo Pema Tsewang from Tibet.

He completed the Shedra program at the Institute in 1995 and joined the Institute staff, teaching there for three years. He was formally enthroned as Khenpo by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in 1998 and was assigned by His Holiness to teach at the Buddhist college at Palyul monastery in Tibet.

He has received all the major empowerments of the Rinchen Terzod, Nam Cho, Nyingthik Yabshi and Nyingma Kama from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche as well as the Mipham Kabum from His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Because of his knowledge and experience, and fluent command of the English language, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche assigned Khenpo Norgay to teach students in the United States in conjunction with the ongoing teaching programs offered by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche.


Cyber-Shedra Distance Learning Program Offered by


Khenpo Tenzin Norgay and Namdroling Montana

Curriculum

The first text to be studied in Cyber-Shedra Sessions 1 and 2 is Santideva's classic treatise, the Bodhisattvacaryavatara. Santideva, an eighth-century Buddhist monk, is among the most renowned and esteemed figures in the entire history of Mahayana Buddhism. The Bodhicaryavatara is structured around the six perfections - generosity, ethical discipline, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom. In Session 1 we study in depth the first eight chapters of the BODHISATTVACARYAVATARA. Students are asked to purchase the translation by Vesna A. Wallace and B. Alan Wallace entitled A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life. Also, Khenpo Norgay will be referring the commentary on the BODHISATTVACARYAVATARA, The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech, A Detailed Commentary on Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva.

Session 2 teaches Chapter 9, The Perfection of Wisdom, in depth. This session may seem more technical and philosophical because of the arguments between non-Buddhist and Buddhist tenet systems. These arguments must be seen as an inner spiritual battle. To understand Emptiness, which is the ultimate truth, we must cut through all the boundaries of conceptualization. So any views that contradict emptiness have to be refuted, and eventually even the concept of emptiness must be abandoned. The antidote to all afflictions and craving is the realization of emptiness. When our minds rest in emptiness, which is the mind's true nature, all conceptualization will cease, and the inner qualities can be manifested. So in the Sutras it is said that emptiness is the only path to complete enlightenment.

Sessions 3 begins the study of PERFECT CONDUCT: Ascertaining the Three Vows, commentary by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche. This ancient exposition explains the three levels of moral codes in Tibetan Buddhism: the vows of individual liberation, the vows of a bodhisattva, and the vows of tantra, outlining in detail the meanings of these vows and giving practical advice on maintaining them as tools for spiritual practice and daily life.

Session 4 continues PERFECT CONDUCT.

There may be other recommended texts throughout the eight-month session as Khenpo Norgay deems necessary.

In all sessions, Khenpo Norgay will send students lessons that will prepare them for and further explain concepts from the texts. He will also send assignments that will help students to explore the texts more deeply. Students are asked to email their assignments back to Khenpo and to email questions as they arise. Also, specific practices will be given to help to deepen the teachings.

Program Details

  • Each enrolled Cyber-Shedra student will receive teachings and assignments via email from Khenpo Norgay for eight consecutive months, beginning October 15, 2009
  • Students will email questions and completed assignments back to Khenpo Norgay
  • Khenpo will mentor and guide students as a group and individually
  • Specific practices will be given to help deepen the teachings

Cyber-Shedra Student Commitment

As a Cyber-Shedra student, your commitment will include the following:
Required
  • Each student must have a computer and email
  • Each student must commit to the full 8 months of study, practice,
    assignments, due dates and fees
  • All correspondence must be in English

Study, Practices, and Due Dates

  • All current and enrolled Cyber-Shedra students will receive an average of 1 to 6 teachings per month
  • Questions may be emailed to Khenpo Norgay throughout the month
  • Beneficial questions and answers will be circulated to all students
  • Written assignments will be emailed back to Khenpo Norgay

Fees

  • A sliding scale fee of $40.00 to $108.00 per month is required by the first day of each month during the eight-month period. You determine your monthly fee, between $40 and $108. If you are able to offer more than $108 a month, this is greatly appreciated.
  • 100% of all monies will be used to support Khenpo Norgay in his teaching activities, Namdroling Montana, the longevity of the Cyber-Shedra Distance Learning Program, and Palyul International. In Khenpo Norgay's small village in Bhutan, about 20 nagpas (lay practitioners) are learning to read and write Tibetan so that they can better understand all the rituals that they are practicing. Part of the Cyber-Shedra fees go to the support of these practitioners.
  • Payment must be up-to-date in order for the participant to receive the current month's teachings via email.

Enrollment

  • If you are seriously interested, we encourage you to register promptly.
  • To be included in this eight-month Cyber-Shedra session, you must be fully enrolled by October 30, 2009

Your enrollment will be confirmed by email after registration and your first payment is received.

To register, please click here.