– Lingyu He, MAPREP student from China

 I’ve been enthusiastically reading my peers’ articles to draw inspiration for my own blog entry. They all read wonderfully, and I’m genuinely happy that everyone seems to be making such good use of their precious time at RYI. As for myself, I found it surprisingly difficult to begin writing. Where should I start? There are so many experiences worth sharing: the night when my friends and I sat in the kora area drinking bubble tea, the small talks we shared during class breaks about Buddhist philosophy, the brilliant teachings by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Phakchok Rinpoche. So many things…

Living in Kathmandu, it feels as though Buddha Dharma is always within reach. People here enjoy the freedom to follow their religious traditions and practice openly. Throughout the year, events from different vehicles of Buddhism—teachings, empowerments, and ceremonies from various Tibetan schools—are constantly taking place. At RYI, we (mainly Nyingmapas and Kagyupas) study alongside several Sakyapas, Gelugpas, and practitioners from many other backgrounds. They ask good questions in class, enrich the learning environment with their unique perspectives, and sometimes even engage in brief debate with our lopons. Before joining RYI on campus, I had never seen anything like this, not even in Tibet. To me, it feels like an exciting experiment where laypeople and monastics, followers of different lineages, learn together with openness and mutual respect. It has been both a surprise and a delight to discover that my classmates come from all walks of life such as but noted limited to yoga teachers, thangka painters, astrologers, UN diplomats, software engineers, and yet all share a genuine interest in the Dharma.

There is always something to attend if one wishes to: organized trips to pilgrimage sites, cultural shows at local theaters, academic guest lectures, Q&A sessions with Rinpoches, or workshops to develop special skills. If you are seeking any form of spiritual knowledge and practice, it seems you can find it here in Kathmandu. For example, I felt truly happy and fortunate to form karmic connections with the sangha entering retreat at Asura Cave in Pharping. I offered money and butter lamps and made prayers for the benefit of all.

Even in our student WhatsApp channel, compassion appears in simple and practical forms. People frequently post about animals rescued from the streets, looking for adoption families. This was how I found homes for the four kittens I rescued myself. I hope they are doing well now at their new homes.

Looking back, I realize how extraordinary it is to live and study in a place where Dharma is not just something in books, but a living presence woven into daily life. My time at RYI continues to feel like a rare and precious opportunity, one I will always be grateful for.