Sed-Gyued Projects

Objectives

To improve the effectiveness of learning and teaching process in the institute by having enough classrooms.

To set up a library for the students as well as all members of the public interested in Buddhism.

The objectives of having a medical clinic in the institute are two-fold: Firstly to look after the health care needs of the students, and secondly to provide free medical counseling and medicine to poor people who cannot afford the medical fees.

To have a guest house to properly house visiting scholars and rinpoches.

To have computers and media equipment, to train the young monks to become computer-literate in order to take advantage of knowledge of the Information Technology (IT) in their study and practice of Buddhist philosophy.

To have an adequate debating courtyard so that monks may effectively learn and practice of Buddhist dialectics, which is central to Tibetan Buddhism.

Project Details

Class Rooms

Current: There are only three classrooms, and classes are being held in open spaces and in the halls. We also have to conduct classes in some of the bedrooms meant for the students, as a result of which students are packed in the remaining bedrooms causing congestion and unhygienic conditions. And the number of students are growing as students graduate into higher grades and we take in younger ones.

Needs: We need ten classrooms. We would also need 100 double-seated desks and benches in the classrooms, whiteboards, shelves, and other appropriate classroom facilities.

Library

Current: We have a small room which we use as a library. It doesn't have a complete set of Buddhist texts.

Needs: We need at least one complete set of Buddhist texts for all the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition, we want to train monks in modern education as well as traditional studies, as stressed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, so we would also have books and journals on modern topics in the library. The library would also serve local people who are interested in Buddhism. We need a proper library building with enough space to house these books, with shelving, library equipment, and tables and chairs for study. Monks would have access to the library at all times, leisure time as well as study and class time. It would be a study room as well, and teachings would be conducted there for monks and for public.

Medical Clinic

Current: The institute has a small dispensary whose construction has been generously sponsored by the Australian Tibetan Society. It has a small collection of Tibetan and Western medicines, but no doctor or other facilities. As the number of students increases, it is increasingly difficult to maintain their health and hygiene without a proper clinic with doctors and equipment. Referring to a doctor here means being charged exorbitant fees.

Needs: To bring into action the compassion we develop through the study of sutras and tantras, it is the vision of the founder of this institution to set up a healthcare center for needy people. To serve the twin purpose of looking after the health needs of our students and serving the local people, we would like to set up a health center with residential doctor and nurses. We would have a western-style clinic with all facilities such as dental, x-ray, blood test, doctors, and a larger section for Tibetan medicine, with doctors and medicines, and consulting offices for both.

Guesthouse

Current: As Sed-Gyued is one of the main seats of tantric study and practice, this institution is frequently visited by learned Buddhist scholars, senior monks and Rinpoches, CTA government officials, and representatives of the Dalai Lama. Is a matter of great inconvenience for our guests, and huge embarrassment for us, that we don't have guest rooms to provide to them in our institution. The few guest houses available nearby our institution are too expensive for us to afford and are inconvenient for our visitors.

Needs: A 10-room guesthouse with air coolers, full bathrooms, all necessary furniture and bedding.

Debating Courtyard

Current: We learn Buddhism through che (discussion), composition, and dialectic. The study of dialectic, and the practice of debate, extend from the very beginnings of Buddhism. While studied in all schools of Buddhism, dialectic holds a prominent place in the Gelukpa school. It is taught and practiced at an early age and is a regular part of the learning process. It is studied daily during the school session, and as well, during holidays scholars are invited to judge debates and thereby witness the standards of the institute. Traditionally there is a special debate courtyard in a monastery, appropriate for students to debate, and for eminent visiting judges (including His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself). Currently our monks are practicing Buddhist dialectics in debating classes held in the open spaces around the monastery.

Needs: The plan for our future debate courtyard is that it would be partially enclosed, having a stage with roof for the judges, with a large open space in front for the debaters.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sed-Gyued Monastery

"Sed-Gyued Monastery, Salugara, is the main seat of the Sed-Gyued lineage or whispered lineage. Whispered lineage is a secret teaching transmitted only to the closest disciple through direct communication with their root teacher or meditational deity ... It is because of the unbroken secret teachings of Sed-Gyued lineage and commentaries that the Tibetan secret Mahayana practice is intact today ... The purpose of Sed-Gyued Monastery is to preserve and promote the unique tantric study, practice, experiences and culture of this lineage, as well as the subsequent lineage holders and Sed-Gyued masters ... I appreciate and admire Sed-Gyued Dorjee Chang Jampa Wangyal Rinpoche for his tireless effort to preserve the Sed-Gyued tradition. I wish and pray for the better establishment and further development of Sed-Gyued Monastery.”

29th September 1999, Gyued-Med Tantric University, Hunsur, India