Tarthang Rinpoche leaves Tibet for India, residing in Varanasi for six years. During this time, he studies English and Hindi, researches, teaches, and interacts with Western scholars. His publishing journey begins in Varanasi, laying the foundation for the most...
Tarthang Rinpoche decides to relocate to the West, where more technological development and strong protections for religious freedom might foster his text preservation efforts.
Tarthang Rinpoche acquires three acres in Sarnath for Longchenpa ceremonies. In 2006, the vision expands to bridge East and West. Initially considered naming it Upaya Institute, it's registered in 2007 as Sarnath International Nyingma Institute.
Half a century after Rinpoche arrived in India, on May 30, 2008, Tsering Gellek, SINI’s founding director, oversees the groundbreaking ceremony. This marks the beginning of constructing SINI’s temple, residential, academic, and library buildings.
Organizes Manjushri Namasanghiti recitation in Bodhgaya. Hosts Four Noble Truths Program with seminars and pilgrimages. Expands facilities, adds residential building. Establishes "Building Bridges of Goodness" mission and collaborates with universities.
Receives Khyentse Foundation grant, launches online Tibetan courses, publishes Heart of Tibetan Language Volume 1. Starts classical Tibetan program. International staff returns after 2.5-year absence.
Artists from multiple countries complete the Sacred Murals Project. SINI's inauguration features a Bodhi Tree sapling from Sri Lanka's Anuradhapura Temple. The Khen Lop Chos Sum Foundation is established.
SINI launches annual Tibet Peace Ceremony and English for Dharma Purposes program. Organizes innovative ten-day seminar with 30 monastic teachers from all Tibetan traditions to discuss modern monastic education.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche leads the first-ever film workshop for monastics. Receiving an audience with H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama, Tsering Gellek and Chief Editor Khenpo Ju Tenkyong propose Tibet’s first-ever encyclopedia of the Buddha’s teachings; the Kangyur...
Rinpoche begins to describe in greater detail a vision that would help set in motion the creation of Tibet’s first-ever encyclopedia of sutras. SINI offers its first two-month intensive residential Colloquial Tibetan course.
Adapts English program to online format during the Pandemic. Launches Emergency Food Distribution program, serving over million meals to vulnerable families in Sarnath during the crisis.
Completes Kangyur Karchag Encyclopedia, presents to H.H. Dalai Lama. Publishes Heart of Tibetan Language Volume 2. Expands English program to Manali, resumes in-person programs with online options.