CURRICULUM

Debate courtyard of Drepung Gomang Monastery constructed in 2007.

Drepung Gomang is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery established in the Gelug tradtion, founded by Je Tsong Khapa (1357-1419).

The Gelug tradition lays special emphasis on the place of ethics, as expressed through monastic discipline, as the ideal basis for religious education and practice.  In addition, the Gelug tradition regards sound scholarship as a prerequisite for constructive meditation; hence, the teachings of both sutra and tantra are subject to rigorous analysis through the medium of dialectical debate.  Drepung Gomang College is renowned among all the Gelug Monasteries (Ganden, Sera, and Drepung) for its emphasis on and expertise in the field of  logic and debate.

In general, the curriculum of study in a Gelug monastery covers the five major topics plus Collected Topics (Parchen) which is preliminary to the syllabus proper.    The major topics are:

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL TREATISE UNDER THE MONASTIC ACADEMIC COURSE.

These five courses are studied meticulously by the dialectical method using Indian texts as well as Indian and Tibetan commentaries to them for a period of sixteen years.  After completing these five course, a monk can pursue further studies appearing on Gelug Examination, a Standard examination for all three Gelug monasteries (Gaden, Sera and Drepung).  Upon successfully passing this exam, the monk is awarded of the degree of Geshe (Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy : Geshe Lharampa, Master of Buddhist Philosophy: Geshe Dorampa, Bachelor of Buddhist Philosophy: Geshe Rabjampa).  Soon aftering getting this title, the Geshe will also undertake one year mandatory course either at one of two tantric college. viz., Gyumed Tantric college or Gyotoe Tantric College.

FACULTY COURSE

Debate practise

If he wishes, upon completing his degree,  the Geshe may join one of the tantric colleges (Gyumey and Gyuto) to study the tantras and thereby complete his formal studies; or he may return to his local monastery to teach, or retire into seclusion to engage in intensive meditation.  A monk who has completed a Geshe's training is respected as being a fully qualified and authoritative spiritual master worthy of devotion and esteem.

Young monks begin their studies around the age of six.  They attend 8 years of classes in the standard subjects of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history.  In addition, they begin preliminary studies of scripture and philosophy as soon as they learn to read and write.

PRAYER & PUJA SERVICES

Drepung Gomang Monastery being a traditional Monastery, the entire curriculum are based and followed as per the traditional monastic practice & customs. Prayers, Pujas & Ritual Ceremonies form one the main activities of this monastic curriculum besides the scholastic pursuance. And Monastery has a unique, centuries old traditional curriculum of Prayers, Pujas & Ritual ceremonies that is followed regularly.

Below are regularly followed ceremonies conducted annually in the Monastery

LOSAR (Tibetan New Year)
On the first day of the Tibetan Calendar, celebrated as the Lorsa or Tibetan New Year, a special ceremony takes place in the Assembly as early as 3 am to 4.30 am in the morning. Followed by a joint assembly prayer at Drepung Lachi at 5 am. On this first New Year Day, there Is the practice of greeting the Abbot, Disciplinarian, Assembly Prayer Leader and the Tulku Lamas by the Administering Body of the Monastery, with Lorsar Khapses, sweets & fruits.

MONLAM CHENMO
Last 15th day of Buddha's miracles
15th day of the 1st month of Tibetan Calendar, Monlam Chenmo is the ceremonial commemoration of the vanquishing of evil & demon by Lord Buddha's mortal departure, and in this occasion a special Assembly of both Gaden and Drepung Monastery is convened either at Gaden man prayer hall or Drepung main prayer hall from the eighth day of Losar. On this occasion Lharam Geshe of the two Monastery's debate & coronation takes place. 

Choenga Choepa Day (butter sculpture)
Beautiful butter sculpture were displayed for the public during the evening of 15th day of first month, people and monks line up to get glimpse of the butter sculpture and offering khatak to it.. On this day, very large number of devotees visit to receive blessings and make offerings at the Monastery.

Procession of Maitreya  Every year, the Maitreya procession is held Drepung and Gaden monastery by rotation. This day is symbolically observed inviting the future Buddha, known as the Protector Maitreya, to descend from Tushita heaven to be present for the gathering, symbolically represented by a statue, is carried around the main prayer hall with drums and cymbals. 

The Maitreya Festival is a way of honoring and making a connection with the Protector Maitreya, the Future Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, Shakyamuni Buddha, our historical Buddha, was the fourth of one thousand Buddhas who will appear and give the Teachings during the current eon. The Protector Maitreya, Shakyamuni Buddha’s disciple and destined to be the fifth Buddha visiting our world, resides in a heaven called Tushita (“Joyous”), where he awaits the precise moment to enter into human history—a time when the Buddhist Teachings will have become extinct. Like Shakyamuni before him, he will “turn the wheel of Dharma” and reestablish the Buddhist Teachings.

Thorkya (Fire Puja)  


on the 17th day. This is Ritual is performed to pave for a healthy & prosperous coming New Year, by eviction of evil, misfortune & diseases.

ANNIVERSARY OF KUNKHEN JAMYANG SHEPA
5th day of the 2nd month of Tibetan calendar,the day is observe with prayers and veneration to great master Kunkhen Jamyang Shepa (the author & master of course syllabus of the Monastery.

SAKA DAWA
Full Moon Day
15th day of holy month of Saka Dawa (5th month of Tibetan Calendar), the month of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and Parinirvana is observed with prayers at the main prayer hall of Drepung as well as the respective prayers hall of the monasteries.

ANNIVERSARY OF JE-JAMYANG CHOJE
18th day of the 5th month of Tibetan calendar, the day is observe with prayers and veneration Je Jamyang Choje, the founder of Drepung Gomang Monastery in 1416.

BIRTHDAY OF HIS HOLINESS THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA.
6th of July every year is celebrated with great celebration as on this day, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, nobel laureate and winner of US congressional medal and many other peace and humantarian awards was born in Kumbum, Tibet in 1935.

CHOEKHOR DUCHEN
(Turning of Wheel of Dharma)
4th day of the 6 month of Tibetan Calendar is observed to commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon and the teaching of the Four Noble Truths. Buddha gave his first teachings at Sarnath on the Four Noble Truths. 

US CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL AWARDED
17th october, US Congressional medal awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2007. The highest civilian award of US.

LHABAB DUCHEN
BUDDHA'S DESCENT FROM TUSHITA HEAVEN
22nd of 9th month of the Tibetan calendar is celebrated as Lhabab Duechen- the day on which the Lord Buddha descended from Tushita, the realm of God. Buddha's mother had been reborn in Indra's heaven. To repay her kindness and to benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months teaching in the Heaven of 33. Some traditions call it Tushita heaven; this is the realm where the Buddha lived before he descended to Earth.  The day is devoted to religious activities like circumambulating shrines, lighting lamps and praying. 

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE DAY
10th of December, the day when His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded with Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Tibetan and friends of Tibet celebrate this special day with prayer and special gatherings.

GADEN NGAMCHOE
25th day of the 10th month to venerate the mortal departure of Lama Tsong Khapa Lamps are lighted in the evening on the temples, stupas, monastery and verandahs of the houses to commemorate the occasion

THE MONASTERY HOLDS 8 ANNUAL PERIODS OF DEBATE SESSION.
1) First Spring Session lasts for 15 days (from 3rd of second month of Tibetan almanac till 17th of third month); 

2) Greater Spring Session lasts for 30 days (from 3rd of third month till 3rd of forth month;

3) First Summer Session lasts for 20 days (from 16th of forth month till 6th of fifth) 

4) Greater Summer Session lasts for 30 days (from 16th of fifth month till 16th of sixth month); 

5) Greater Autumn Session lasts for 30 days (from 3rd of eighth month till 3rd of ninth month) 

6) Sakar Session lasts for 20 days (16th of ninth month till 6th of tenth month) 

7) Ngachoe Session lasts for 15 days (16 of tenth month till 1st of eleventh month) 

8) Greater Winter Session lasts for 30 days (from 16th of eleventh month till 16th of twelfth month). 

OVERNIGHT MASS DEBATE CONGREGATION

Jamshug Tsenphu (an overnight mass debate congregation on the initial part of The Perfection of Wisdom concerning The Life Lord Maiteria) on 18th of eleventh month of Tibetan almanac; 

Namdral Tsenphu (an overnight mass debate congregation on Pranama) in the twelfth month; 

Kyap Shepai Tsenphu (an overnight mass debate congregation on the forth chapter of The Perfection of Wisdom) on 18th of third month; 

Umei Jugtsul Tsenphu (an overnight mass debate congregation on the initial part of Madhiamaka) on 9th of eighth month; 

Umei Thaldog Tsenphu (an overnight mass debate congregation on the concerning chapter of Madhiamaka about Prasangika School’s counter polemical critique against especially Cittamatra or The Mind Only School’s misconceptions) on 29th of eighth month.

About the participation in twos from the concerned class in debate presentation during the mass prayer congregations covers the varied core parts of the monastic curriculums: Vinaya; Abidharma; Madhiamaka (the concept of self-negation); Madhiamaka (the grounded polemical logic that proves the invalidity of self-experiencing consciousness); on Abisamayalngkara (The Perfection of Wisdom) the subjects range as on Choekhor (The Turning of The Wheel of Dharma), Gedun Nyishu (the 20 Sangha grades), Semkei (Bodhichitta), Dhangnei (The right interpretation), Kapshipa (the forth chapter of The Perfection of Wisdom).

The significant anniversaries are as: Anniversary of Kunkhen Rinpoche; Anniversary of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana; Anniversary of Buddha’s First Teaching; Umei Dhusang (Graduation Day of the outgoing students of Madhiamaka class); Anniversary of Buddha’s Decent from Tushita Heaven; Anniversary of Jhe Tsongkha Pa; Pharchen Dhamcha (the days long graduating debate participations by the outgoing students of The Perfection of Wisdom class); Garing Gathung Damcha (the days long mass debate congregations participated by the graduating students/Geshe of the year); Pharchen Thug Chora (the days long interclass mass debate congregations participated by the students of The Perfection of Wisdom classes).

About the scope of the monastic examination the matters range as: Memorization Test, Debate Test, Writing Test of Buddhist philosophy, Religious History, Tibetan Grammar and Poetry. The ones who fare excellent in their examinations are presented with prizes during a prayer congregation and those who fail have to remain in the same class as to qualify even further in his past year studies.

The recess periods between 8 annual periods of debate session as cited above are for memorizing and reciting scriptural texts of one’s concerned studying subjects and also for attending teaching classes.

As to learn in detail about such annual programs of the monastery, it is recommendable to read the monastic Religious History.

ACTIVITIES ABROAD

Besides the main Monastic curriculum, there are quite number of other activities as part of the Monastery's cultural obligations, from dissemination of the Buddha Dharma to welfare of the Monastery.

One such activity is the deputing of our qualified Geshe, for teaching at Buddhist Institutes in different parts of world, at their invitational request.

The Monastery also conducts program tours, consisting of groups small and large, with different programs, to parts of Europe, America, Canada and elsewhere depending upon the support and capacity of the Inviting organization or individual. This has substantial dual benefit to the Monastery, first and foremost as the obligation in service of the Buddha Dharma and secondly for providing the privilege of a much-needed Fund Raising opportunity for the general administration and management and for particular projects.