What a fantastic day! Congratulations to our dear graduates of the English for Dharma Purposes Program.
Good morning, dear respected teachers, students, friends, and family. Welcome to the Sarnath International Nyingma Institute’s English for Dharma Purposes Program graduation ceremony. We are so happy to be together on this auspicious occasion.
The name of our program is English for Dharma Purposes, and if you look closely at each individual word (English, FOR, Dharma, Purposes), you realize that this is indeed a very big program.
The English language, with more than several hundred thousand words, has a long history with many linguistic rivers contributing to its ever-expanding ocean. The word Dharma and its meaning are even more vast. Combined, the work of connecting English for Dharma Purposes is, in many ways, inconceivable. Yet for the past three years, our graduating students have done just that, practicing and embracing the inconceivable connections and gaps between their mother tongue and the English language.
I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the key pillars of support that have made this program possible. My first note of appreciation goes to Tarthang Rinpoche, the founder of this institute and my father. It is through him that all the main instructions of my life flow.
To the Khyentse Foundation, and in particular Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, I extend my deep appreciation. On behalf of all of SINI, we thank you for your generous support and guidance. To our first principal, Khenpo Choephel, who continuously and actively prays for the well-being of all, and especially our mission, I offer a deep bow of appreciation. To our current principal, Khenpo Ngawang Tsundu, and assistant principal, Khenpo Ngawang Choephel, thank you for your kind leadership and support. Thank you to Dr. Woedo, Ugen Tsering, Rinchen Kyi, Doug, and all staff members for their behind-the-scenes support of this program.
To all of our English teachers (Osha, Jamie, Chami, Sophia, Tanner, and Catherine) and our dear director of the program, Eden Merritt, a very deep bow to all of you for your selfless service and intelligence. You are each wonderful, caring, and noble teachers, and I am sincerely honored to be part of this team. To our dear friends and family, thank you for your continued time, energy, and support every year.
Through our unique three-year English for Dharma Purposes program, monastics develop language proficiency while deepening their understanding of Buddhist philosophy, literature, science, and arts. Students progress through specialized tracks, including translation studies and advanced academic English, preparing them to contribute to the global effort to translate Tibetan texts and provide skillful Dharma teaching worldwide.
SINI’s interdisciplinary approach combines traditional Buddhist scholarship with modern educational methods. Our students engage in cross-cultural exchanges, participate in workshops and seminars, and collaborate with international scholars and practitioners. This comprehensive educational framework ensures that ancient wisdom traditions remain vibrant and accessible for future generations while building bridges around the world.
In response to the particular needs of our monastic students, SINI developed its own curriculum. The SINI EDP curriculum is, in many ways, the first of its kind, and we appreciate that both students and teachers have worked with our textbook series, meticulously developed by Eden Merritt over the past five years.
To the students who are graduating today, and to all of you gathered here in Prajna Hall, I offer you my deep respect and congratulations.
I have two messages for you. First, please continue to study and learn the English language so that you can share the Dharma and connect with not only the suffering but also the beauty of this world. Second, I hope you will always consider SINI your home and return again and again. The root meaning of home is to lie down and settle; it is a place where one belongs and a place where one is missed when absent.
As the world evolves and suffering intensifies, I hope you will carry out your work, sharing the fruits of your knowledge and listening deeply to the stories of others. Continue to learn the deeper meaning of the Dharma, to express yourself in as many ways as possible, and to find your own voice and understanding. Though we may be few in number, I have confidence that even one person who is able to connect, communicate, and express the deep meaning of life to another is worthy of all these tremendous efforts.
May your learning journey continue for the rest of your lives. Congratulations, Class of 2026.
— Tsering Gellek, Director