Our Story
Tibetan Buddhist Institute (Thekchen Shedrub Choeling) is a centre for Mahayana Buddhist study and practice. Mahayana Buddhism is dedicated to peace and happiness for all sentient beings.
Our program covers introductory to advanced level study and meditation. We encourage students to join the centre at the level they feel comfortable and then to gradually progress through the appropriate courses into higher study if possible.
The centre was established in April 2005 by our dearly beloved Founder and Spiritual Teacher Kyabje Khensur Kangyurwa Lama Jetsun Lobsang Thubten Rinpoche (1925 – 2014).
In 2013, His Holiness the Dalai Lama provided the following advice during his visit to Tibetan Buddhist Institute:
“This sort of centre is actually a learning centre, academic centre, so now for our Tibetan Buddhist centre here I think, keep in your mind; more emphasis on study. Then in the morning occasionally some meditation, these things naturally you will have, but main purpose is learning, explaining.”
His Holiness has emphasised that Tibetan Buddhist Institute is a place for education about mind and emotion, it is “not only a learning centre for Buddhism, but a learning centre of the human mind.”
Tibetan Buddhist Institute follows the ancient Gelukpa tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. This tradition is followed in many of the great monastic universities re-established in southern India after thousands of monks were forced to leave Tibet. Our teachers come from Sera Jey Monastery, India.
Tibetan Buddhist Institute is fortunate to have a resident Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Geshe Jampa Gyaltsen. We are also extremely blessed with our other teachers, Geshe Yama Rinchen and Yangsi Chotrul Rinpoche, who are based in Sera Jey Monastery and teach to us online or via teaching tours. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is our Spiritual Head.
Our Teachers
Our Gompa (which is the Tibetan word for temple) contains the blessings of the entire Buddhist canon, which is considered to be an immeasurable treasure. The Gompa is a beautiful and peaceful space.
Tibetan Buddhist Institute supports students in their study and practice through provision of a library and bookshop. By attending the centre and training our minds through study and meditation, we can fulfil our own potential to become happier and more peaceful.