About Us

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Study the Buddha’s teachings, practise the Dharma, awaken your true potential

The International Buddhist Academy (IBA) is located in Tinchuli, near Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal. It was founded by Khenchen Appey Rinpoche in order to uphold and disseminate the Buddha Dharma in general and Sakyapa teachings in particular. Since its foundation, IBA has also instituted monastic leadership and translation programs.

To fulfill its initial aim of giving people from all over the world the opportunity to study the true Dharma, since 2001 IBA has been conducting a yearly three-month program which offers courses selected from the principal texts of the five subjects studied in Tibetan monastic colleges from all traditions: Perfection of Wisdom, Middle Way Philosophy, Phenomenology, Logic and Moral Discipline.

Each year IBA aims to teach one philosophy text and one pith instruction text which supports practice. These two courses are designed to complement each other, providing a balanced approach between understanding the profound meaning of the Buddha’s teachings and applying it in one’s life. A ten-day residential retreat is also given to afford students the opportunity to learn the practice of contemplation and meditation from an experienced master. Over the years, our teachers have included His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, His Eminence Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, Dr. Khenpo Ngawang Jorden, Khenpo Jamyang Tenzin, Khenpo Lungrik Senge, Lama Choedak Rinpoche and Venerable Dhammadipa.

The current Monastic Leaders Program offered by IBA trains talented graduates from a selection of monastic philosophical colleges, who have advanced Buddhist philosophy degrees, to become textual and oral translators, administrators and teachers in order to serve their monasteries and the wider Dharma community. These future leaders study over a period of 5 years, concentrating primarily on tuition in English and Mandarin, as well as translation and administration skills.

Translation based at IBA is carried out by the Chödung Karmo group. This work involves scholars from both Tibetan and non-Tibetan communities around the world. Their efforts allow the numerous treatises composed by great Buddhist masters of the past, particularly those of the Sakya tradition, to be transmitted from one culture to another. Thus the knowledge and wisdom contained in the scriptures can be conveyed to new audiences.

For further information about IBA, visit Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/International-Buddhist-Academy-Kathmandu

You can also watch the video below, keeping in mind it was made just before the earthquakes of 2015. Click on the play icon to start. To view this video in Mandarin, please click here.