About
What We Do
Led by Mingyur Rinpoche, and inspired by the scholar-yogi tradition, the Institute exists to share the profound teachings of the Kagyu lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Our students explore treasured texts, tools and practices that are directly applicable to day-to-day life. The process is rigorous (we work hard), immersive (we live and practice in community), personal (we are in direct discourse with the lineage masters) and geared towards taking the dharma out into the real world (read all about it here).
How We Do It
Our approach is based on the deep integration of study and practice into a single, unified path. Not solely a meditation course, a retreat, or a track of academic study, our approach includes elements of each, equipping our students with new ways of being that are carried forward into the rest of their lives.
With 25 students in each cohort, we emphasize the power of small, connected circles of learning, and receive direct teachings not only from Rinpoche and his senior-most Khenpos, but from leading thinkers in the wider Buddhist community.
Why It Matters
Our world is facing unprecedented challenges. We believe that by working with these precious teachings we are developing not only resilience, but an expanded capacity to recognize the true nature of who we really are, and in turn help others to do the same.
This is a heart-opening process, and one that takes us closer to the living and transformative gifts of this unbroken lineage.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our program is for practitioners of all backgrounds who have had a regular meditation practice for at least three years. We live our value for diversity and inclusion: our students are from all over the world and we aim to foster a welcoming environment that supports practitioners of diverse identities, cultures and life circumstances.
Over 15+ countries
A truly global learning community
Every
Age-group
Participants from
20-75 years old
A range of backgrounds
Professional and intellectual members, as well as lay and monastic individuals
INFLUENCES
Ancient Nalanda Tradition
The Tergar Institute is fashioned in the lineage of Nalanda University of ancient India. Valuing all three wisdom tools—listening, contemplating, and meditating—the scholar—yogis of Nalanda embodied the integrated ideal that we strive for. From Nagarjuna to Shantideva, and from Asanga to Atisha, we honor this lineage by both studying and practicing their teachings.
Tibetan Experiential Instructions Lineage
As described by Mingyur Rinpoche, the experiential instructions (myong khrid) lineage emphasizes two elements. First, it situates subjective experience as primary: we look at how we experience ourselves and the world directly in service of cultivating awareness, compassion, and wisdom. Second, and equally important, is how this approach relates to theory and practice. Teachings (theory) are intentionally offered in small incremental sections and are supported by meditation and application instructions (practice) that help students continually digest what they are learning.
Unified Scholar-Practitioners
We are committed to developing scholar-yogis who embody both elements of the path–study and practice–in service of promoting the greatest possible transformation in our world. While this approach is grounded in the historical Nalanda University, it also looks to innovate ways to ensure the teachings are transmitted in the most accessible form possible to diverse learners. This simultaneous honoring of history, as well as looking toward the future is emblematic of our visionary, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s approach to teaching the dharma.
Bodhgaya Institute
The Bodhgaya Tergar Institute, offered from 2007-2009 in northern India represents the theoretical origins of our approach. During this time, Mingyur Rinpoche envisioned the foundation of what has now matured into the current iteration of the Tergar Institute. We appreciate all those involved in that period who laid a critical foundation for our work today.