ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Although there are many other programs at Gaden Shartse, the preservation and development of Tibetan education and culture remains the center's first priority. There are no restrictions placed on the students because of their financial status or nationality. Shartse's curriculum includes Tibetan literature, history, all aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice, rituals and arts (such a scroll and sand painting), as well as other modern subjects and languages. Most programs take between ten to twenty years to complete. Shartse is recognized among Tibetans as one of the finest seats of education for Tibetan culture and religion. It also stands as one of the few active monastic centers for Tibetan studies. Gaden Shartse graduates are now important members of the Tibetan exile community. Many hold responsible positions at the monastery itself, while others are active as Tibetan writers, professors, scholars and translators. Key among them is Mr. Thubten Jinpa, official translator for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

DAILY LIFE AND ACTIVITIES IN GADEN SHARTSE

Day starts at 5:30am when all the monks come together at the assembly hall for the morning prayers/puja, monks take their breakfast at 7:00am which includes a handmade Tibetan bread and a cup of butter tea (mixture of black tea, milk, butter and salt).  Then monks attend their daily classes until 11:30am when they take a break for lunch. For lunch the monks are served a big piece of handmade Tibetan bread with vegetables and a cup of light Tibetan tea. In the afternoon the student monks attend their private teachings given by their assigned teachers until 5:00pm. Dinner break starts at 5:00pm when they eat a bowl of rice with Dhal (lentil soup). After the dinner monks attend other dharma classes until 11:00 pm except Monday which is the day off in the monastery.

Elder monks who have finished their courses spend most of their time in teachings, doing spiritual practices, social work to help the public, working for the monastery, or doing research in various fields of Buddhist teachings.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To preserve, diffuse and propagate the teachings of the Goutama, the Buddha around the world for world peace.

2. To function as a centre for training people from different parts of the world for spiritual advancement.

3. To train monks to become highly qualified teachers so they may spread the real message of Buddha Dharma.

4. To setup branches around the world to teach Buddhism and train teachers to spread Buddha Dharma.

5.  To inhance brotherhood by intergrating all the different religious traditions around the world.

6. To retain the purity of teachings of Tsongkhapa with special focus on tradition passed through generations of scholars at Gaden Shartse.

7.  To spread the teachings of the Tsongkhapa around the world.