My name is Khenpo Kalsang, and my path to Harvard Divinity School has been one of determination, support, and a vision that originated years ago. Coming from the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute (SINI) in India, I embarked on a journey to expand my knowledge of Buddhism and to pursue further study in a Western academic environment. This aspiration has now become a reality.
I joined SINI in 2022, driven by the goal of improving my English and immersing myself in intensive studies. That summer, we spent time in Manali, learning translation, English for Dharma Purpose (EDP), and Sanskrit. When winter arrived, we moved to Sarnath, where an unexpected opportunity awaited me.
After dinner, our director, Semo Tsering Gellek Palmo, called me to the dining hall one evening. She introduced me to the Buddhist Ministry Initiative (BMI) Program at Harvard Divinity School and explained that taking the IELTS test was the first requirement. Even though I was only a first-year student, she believed in my abilities and invited me to join the EDP 2 students for IELTS training.
Initially, the thought of attending Harvard seemed beyond my reach, but I saw the IELTS preparation as a way to improve my language skills. SINI assembled a special team to train us for the test. The program was intense, spanning two semesters. As the training became increasingly demanding, many fellow students gave up. Only Lopn Tenzin Sherpa and I persevered. Our dedication paid off when SINI arranged for us to take the IELTS exam in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. I approached the exam not with dreams of Harvard but simply as fulfilling an institute requirement, much like a final examination.
During this time, another opportunity emerged: the 2024 visitorship for traditional Buddhist scholars and the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Program of Oxford University. This program is for traditional Buddhist scholars at Oxford University to support and promote the teaching of Buddhist Studies at Oxford. We received interview training from various professors visiting SINI. When it came time for the Oxford interviews, LoponTenzin Sherpa was selected, while I was not. Despite this, both of us applied to Harvard’s BMI program.
On April 4th, I received an email from Harvard inviting me to a Zoom interview as a finalist. Although the email was promising, I found it hard to believe I could succeed, especially after my rejection by Oxford. On April 11th, I had an interview with Harvard that went well. The following day, on April 12th, I received the incredible news: I was accepted into the Harvard Divinity School BMI Fellows Program. Overjoyed, I immediately called Semo Tsering Gellek to share my happiness.
Our joy soon turned into concern as we faced the challenge of obtaining a U.S. visa. Fortunately, I secured the visa on June 25th and arrived in Boston on August 18th, ready to start this new chapter.
Reflecting on this journey, I am profoundly grateful to SINI. Since coming to India from Tibet, I have always dreamed of studying Buddhist philosophy in a monastery and Western studies in the West. SINI played a pivotal role in making this dream come true, equipping me with the skills, support, and belief necessary to reach Harvard.
