Nitartha Institute: Nitartha Institute 2006 Program


		Daily Schedule

Description | Setting | Fees | Travel | Application

2009 Annual Summer Program

"Incredible. It's a study program but at times felt like a retreat. It surpassed my expectations."

Summer Program student

Session 1: July 18 - Aug 1
Session 2: Aug 2- Aug 15
Western Washington University (WWU)
Bellingham, Washington

(One may attend for one two-week session or both. First-time students should attend the first session if not attending both).
July 18, Aug 1, and Aug 15 are travel days.

WWU is about one hour and 30 minutes from Seattle and Nalanda West, North American seat of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, our Spiritual Director. It is the Institute’s intention to be easily accessible to Nalanda West if the need should arise for students to visit there during or after the program. There are shuttles available direct from Seatac airport to WWU, about 2 to 2 ½ hours, depending on traffic.

The facility at Western Washington is secluded and beautiful, perfect for the Nitartha program. The area has grand forests, mountains and ocean all within easy driving distance.

For all summer sessions, an optional main course is offered to all students which may be drawn from any of the Foundation, Intermediate, or Advanced material. In 2009, for the main course Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen will teach on the difficult points of Lorik as taught by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche (using portions of the 7th Karmapa's Ocean of Texts on Reasoning as part of the class).

Most courses are taught six days a week, for a total of twelve classes over a two-week session. Supporting discussion, debate and analytical meditation groups bring the subject matter to the laboratory of experience. These not only allow students to probe more deeply into their understanding but also provide a forum for the sharing of insight amongst the students.

There are two two-week sessions each summer, designated as Session 1 and Session 2. The curriculum is modular and designed so that students can attend one two-week session annually. For example, if a student takes Session 1 courses one year, s/he can return the next year and attend the Session 2 courses. One can also go on to complete subsequent sessions after first completing one or more of the 9 Day Program. For example, one may do Module 1 at a 9 Day Program and then complete Module 2 at the Summer Program.

First-time students will take Mind & Its World I and Clear Thinking I, in addition to the optional main course. Returning students will re-enter at their level of the curriculum. For course descriptions please click here.

Sample Daily Schedule

Sunday through Friday (Saturdays are open days)

7:00 a.m.	Lujong Body-Mind exercises
7:30	Breakfast
8:30-9:50	Chants, Sitting and Class 1
10:00-10:50	Class 2: Analytical Meditation
11:10-12:30	Class 3: Main course, by the principle teacher
12:30 p.m.	Lunch
2:00-3:10	Class 4 or personal study time
3:20-4:30	Class 5 or personal study time
4:30 to 5:00	Tea
5:00-6:00	Class 6 or personal study time
6:00	Dinner
7:00	Open time, elective classes, or personal study time
10:00	Quiet

Note that generally, students attend 4-5 class periods and have 1-2 study periods during the day

A Day at Nitartha