The application for the Rigpa Shedra East 2011 is open!

In order to be admitted for registration to the Rigpa Shedra East you will first need to apply by clicking here and filling out the on line application form.
Students applying for the first time, will have to provide a reference from their local Rigpa instructor or carer to the following address shedra@rigpa.org.
As usual, the Rigpa Shedra will be open to all Rigpa Students, no previous attendance is required.

WHERE
Rigpa Shedra East is hosted by the Nyingma Palyul Retreat Centre in Pharping, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

WHEN
3 January  to 30 April 2011.

WHAT
This year we will be studying the Abhisamayalankara.

As always, we will be having Tibetan language courses on multiple levels.

HOW MUCH

The shedra fees for the year 2011 are structured in the following way:

• Shedra fees: 1.250€
• Meals: 250€ (3 meals a day for 4 months)

Additionally you can roughly plan the following expenses:

Housing: around 250€
depending on the type of accommodation
Flight: between 700€ and 1100€
depending on timely booking, distance & airline
Visa for four months: 105€
100$ for the first 90 days visa to be imperatively done at the airport when you first arrive. For that have 2 pass photos and the money (100USD or the equivalent in euro or pounds with you). After the first 90 days, each 30 days extensions costs 60$
Mandatory Insurance: up to 350€
see medical disclaimer
Extras: between 250€ and 1000€
depending on your life style. This includes 150€ for Tsok and other offerings.

LANGUAGES
The main class each day will be held in Tibetan and will be translated live into English. All other classes and activities are held in English.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The Rigpa Shedra cannot be held responsible for any loss, theft or damage to personal property or bodily injury or death during the period of the Rigpa Shedra East. We cannot provide medical or psychological care, medication, hospitalization or transportation. Please ensure that you are adequately covered. Proof of medical insurance is required to attend the Shedra East program. There are neither medical staff nor medical facilities on-site. The Shedra East is a place for studying Tibetan Buddhist teachings which are not intended as a substitute for psychotherapy. If you have a psychological or psychiatric problem, we recommend that you inform your therapist before coming, and you need to notify us prior to your registration. If you are taking medication prescribed by your doctor, do not discontinue it during your stay. If you disregard this advice we regret that The Rigpa Shedra cannot be held responsible.

BEHAVIOUR
Traditionally a shedra takes place in a monastic environment where a strict set of rules is implemented, permeating all levels of everyday life (for an example of these rules please visit the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute website). Khen Rinpoche Namdrol and other masters have advised to apply similar sets of rules to the Rigpa Shedra East since it is a proven fact that these are a great support for one’s study. It is not easy to transfer a system of rules designed for a Tibetan monastic environment to a group of western students, nevertheless a frame of rules will be proposed to the shedra students so that they will be able to make the best of their precious time.