General Science was first introduced to Tibetan monasteries based in India, Nepal & Bhutan in 2001, through the Science meets Dharma" (SmD) Project by Rikon Tibet Institute, under the patronage of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, who has consistently advocated the relevance and importance of Science knowledge alongside Buddhist philosophical studies.

In the project’s second phase, Science was formally introduced in the monastery’s curriculum in 2012. In 2013 “Sera Jey Science Centre”, was established and inaugurated by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Regular classes in Biology, Physics & Chemistry in theory & practical’s are conducted with periodic workshops, seminars, conferences & exhibitions.

Core Purpose:
For a better administering of the science curriculum at our monastic institute, a viable infrastructure facility has become the most essential factor. A Meditation Study Lab and Meditation Hall would provide the right conditions for scientific studies & research on Meditation.

The monastery has been pursuing the development of science discipline in the curriculum with much commitment and importance, as envisioned by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

Benefits:
With the proposed infrastructure facility, respective science theoretical and experiment classes can be suitably conducted; seminars, workshops and conferences can be organized more effectively. Overall tangible development of the science discipline and department can be achieved. More students will be interested to learn Science and enroll in the discipline. The knowledge resource of graduating monk scholars could be evidently enhanced, as the additional knowledge of science will form a formidable asset to one’s overall faculty and understanding of concepts.

Besides, the project will be a humble fulfillment to His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s determined vision and advocacy in the study of Science at Tibetan monasteries.

Plan Description:
1) Science Classroom (3 big & 3 small) 6
2) Teacher's Room 1
3) Store Room 1
4) Science Laboratories (Biology/Physics/Chemistry) 3
5) Computer Lab. 1
6) Science Centre ‘Office’ 1
7) Science Library & Research Room 2
8) Science Gallery Room 1
9) Meditation Study Lab (sound proofed) 1
10) Meditation Hall 1
11) Auditorium / Conference Hall 1
12) Guest Room (for western scientists/researchers) 10
13) Kitchen & Dinning Hall

Cost Estimate:
The overall construction cost estimate: INR 96,014,000.00
(Ninety-six million & fourteen thousand)

Project Status:
The project’s construction work was commenced in 2020 and was successfully completed in January 2024. The center was inaugurated on 14 January 2024.

With the growing interest on Buddhist Philosophy and the increasing relevance of Buddha’s philosophical principles - moral & human values, the quest for seeking the knowledge and wisdom of Buddha's philosophy and its wisdom are ever growing in the modern world.  Sera Jey Monastery with a very vast human knowledge resource and well sustained traditional culture, fulfills all the obligations to its  commitment to establish a distinct institute for specializing on Buddhist Philosophical Studies.

This proposed institute for Buddhist Studies has been officially named – “Sera Jey Tashi Choeling Center”.

Study Curriculum:
The study curriculum is specialization in Buddhist Studies.  It will be primarily based on the 'The Five Main Treatises of Buddhist Philosophy –

i)   Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom)
ii)  Madhyamikavatara (The Middle View
iii) Pramanavartika (Valid Cognition)
iv) Vinaya (Monastic Precepts
v)  Abhidharmakosha (Phenomenology)

Curriculum Duration:
    The entire five treatises can be covered in a total course period of 9 years.
Medium of Curriculum:
    The curriculum will be available in three medium of language – Tibetan / English / Chinese.
Platform scope:
    The institute will provide an ideal platform for research scholars, college graduates / post graduates.
Short Term Courses:
    Besides, the institute will also conduct periodic courses of short / medium duration.
Special Camps:
    Special camps for school going age children, during school vacations, of Tibetan community living outside India.

Project Physical Facility:
Hostel Residence Block - 50 Rooms with bath/toilet.
Classroom Block - 10 Rooms
Library - 1
Auditorium - 1
Dining Hall - 1
Kitchen - 1
Office - 1

The hostel residence accommodation is based on individual room, considering the nature of the course specialization and also keeping in mind the priority of college graduates (foreign & non-foreign) privacy and convenience for studies & rest.

Project Facility Cost - 
The total estimate cost for the Project Facility:-

   INR 44,407,500.00  (forty-four million, four hundred seven thousand and five hundred)
   US$ 716,250.00   (seven hundred sixteen thousand, two hundred & fifty)

Project Status:
The project was successfully completed and inaugurated in April 2018.

Architect's view of the Institute
Plan design of Institute

 

Objective: Class Room project is one of the important projects proposed for undertaking on monastery's commitment to developing further its education curriculum.

This project is primarily intended to provide a classroom facility to the existing Debate Court Yard, which is inadequate to hold all the 19 class levels of the curriculum - Five Course Stages. Many of the 19 class levels have to hold their Debate classes outdoors, because of the large student population, totaling 2455. And outdoor classes are frequently interrupted during rainy season and summer heat.

The proposed classroom building will provide the facility to conduct classes on monastery's main curriculum for our total 2455 enrolled student monks in 19 class levels. This will be the first of its kind in the monastery's history.

The monastery also considers the Class Room project will have significant importance in taking forward our traditional centuries-old conventional monastic system of learning & imparting towards a more comprehensive and modern system that is practicable with our the rapidly advancing world. Where, in the near future different academic disciplines will be introduced in the curriculum. This can be backed by the recent introduction of Science Discipline in the mid level stages, from 1st of June 2012.

Physical Plan: The classroom complex will mainly comprise 19 Class rooms, One Office room, One Reading Hall, which will have adequate collection of reference materials on monastery's curriculum topics and other relevant Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.

The project also includes an extension part for two classrooms & one office for the 'Science Meets Dharma' program - an initiative by the Nobel Prize Laureates His Holiness The Dalai Lama & Richard Ernst and undertaken by Tibet Institute Rikon - Switzerland; where increasing no of monastery's student monks are learning general science concepts with much success during the past ten years.

Financial Plan: The total cost for the Project is estimated at -

INR (') 44,157,190/- (Forty Four Million, One Hundred FiftySeven Thousand, One Ninety)

As a monastic institute totally engaged in educational & spiritual work, where source of income are from donations & sponsorships from devotee, philanthropists & organizations, have to realize the implementation of the project by fund raising.

This Tour of Compassion & Harmony is dedicated to highlight the Class Room Project to communities of devotees, friends, organizations & institutes for their support.