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Project for a
School for the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism combined
with modern education
A Brief History
Sakya Centre is the principal
seat of the Sakyapa Order of Tibetan Buddhism. It is
the personal monastery of His Holiness Sakya Trizin,
the Supreme Head of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism.
Since its establishment
in 1964, the Centre is a monastic institute, offering
traditional education in the Buddhist religion, rituals,
ritual music and dance, art and other related subjects
for young novices. The Centre is a charitable institution
and is duly registered with the Government of India.
Every year, the Centre welcomes students from all over
India and from neighbouring countries like Nepal, Mongolia
and Bhutan. The present strength of the Center is about
300. The number of students increases every year, new
entrants, joining the Centre regularly.
The Background
Although, the Sakya Centre
does its best to provide for all aspects of the life
of the residents including food, clothing and shelter,
the limited premises imposes restriction due to lack
of space and proximity to the town.
In order to accommodate the ever-growing number of new
applicants into the monastic life and to ensure a good
education, there is a proposal to start a separate monastic
school to train young novices. The new school would
relieve pressure on the Sakya Centre.
His Holiness Sakya Trizin has initiated this new academy
and its realization will be taken care of by his younger
son Khondung Gyana Vajra.
The Project : SAKYA ACADEMY
The proposed site of the
project is 7 kms. from Dehra Dun city, situated in about
23 acres of peaceful and secluded land far away from
the madding crowd. With very few local inhabitants,
the area offers a very conducive atmosphere for a modern
education together with practice of profound teachings.
The project aims to accommodate
and train 500 monks, and the initial target will be
125 residential students. The projected cost of the
construction and furnishing of the Sakya Academy is
approx. around 13 crore Indian Rupees. An additional
corpus sum for the same amount will be sought to run
and maintain the school facility exclusively. The annual
interest of the stipulated fund would ensure the day-
to-day running of the school without disruption. The
project is expected to begin soon and the set date of
completion is likely to be 2007.
The Objectives:
The principle aim
of the Sakya Academy is to impart the young novices
with a very good Buddhist education and preservation
of Buddhist teachings. Another aim is to keep alive
the unique teachings and tradition of the Sakyapa masters.
The Academy will also provide a modern education to
help the students to relate to the outside world and
make sure that their Buddhist learning is relevant to
it.
Upon completion, the academy will have facilities such
as a library that housing Buddhist canons, modern works
of literature and sciences, fully equipped science laboratories,
sports facilities and computer equipment, intended to
the full growth of mind, understanding of the science,
geography and the world.
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