The founder of Scholastic Institute Chokyi Gyaltsen (SICGU) and SICGU Dhargey Publishing, Geshe Jampa Kunchog spent over twenty years in Dharamsala India, studying at Sera Jey Monastic University.
 
His expertise and monastic education is the main reason SICGU is able to undertake the teaching and translation of Sera Jey Monastery’s curriculum.
This combined with Geshe Jampa’s sense of humour, down-to-earth attitude, and unwavering devotion to the Dharma makes him a highly respected teacher at SICGU.
 
Being fluent in both English and Tibetan and having lived among Tibetans for decades, Geshe Jampa Kunchog has obtained an unique insight into both Western and Tibetan ways of thinking.
 
During his years of study at Sera Monastery, Geshe Jampa studied the classical five primary areas of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy:
 
  • Perfection of Wisdom (Prajñāpāramitā)
  • Middle Way Philosophy (Mādhyamika)
  • Valid Cognition (Pramāṇa)
  • Discipline (Vinaya)
  • ​The Treasury of Knowledge

 

 

Education & Timeline

  • 1973: Began taking classes at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala. Attended classed on the Gradual Path to Liberation, classes on the Madhyamika School of philosophy and received the initiation of Heruka.
  • 1974: Arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal for courses on the Gradual Path to Enlightenment during the months of April – May. Continued the course with a four month Vajrasattva retreat and teachings. Continued course on the Gradual Path to Liberation and received teachings on the Practices of a Bodhisattva.
  • 1975-1978: Returned to Nepal to continue learning Tibetan language and monastic debating. Taught English at the Himalayan School in Kathmandu, Nepal. Returned to Dharamsala, India to continue studies in logic on the second chapter of the text Commentary on Valid Cognitions. In 1976 he continued studies of Tibetan language and Tibetan grammar.
  • 1978: At the invitation of the Abbot of Sera Jey Monastery, left Dharmsala for Sera Jey Monastic University in Bylakuppe, India to begin studies in Buddhist logic and theory. Entered the University as a novice scholar.
  • 1978-1981: Began studying texts on the following subjects: the three elementary texts on debating, the different types of mind, valid and invalid forms of reasoning, the four schools of Buddhist tenets, Grounds and Paths and the Seventy Meanings. After three years of study Geshe Jampa attained the degree of “intermediate scholar”. This concluded his Bachelor studies.
  • 1981-1984: Geshe Jampa  studied the advanced text of the Abhisamayālaṅkāra, based on the Rang Gyupa (Madhyamaka) School of thought. These classes entailed studies of the root text of the Abhisamayālaṅkāra and its commentaries on the Sūtra of the Wisdom Gone Beyond. These commentaries included examinations by Je Rinpoche in his commentary Ser Ding, Namshe Nyingpo Gyen, which is the commentary by Gyalsab Rinpoche and the Sounds of the Fortunate Eon – commentary by Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen. Other courses of study included Rik, Sam Stuk, Jorlum, the twelve interdependent links and the commentary on the aspects of valid cognition (Prajñāpāramitā). After this, Geshe Jampa’s Masters studies were complete.
  • 1984-1990: Began PhD studies at Sera Jey University. The course of study was based on the theories held by the Madhyamika school of thought. Geshe Jampa successfully completed his PhD in 1990.
  • 1985: Received teachings and initiations from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the practice of Tamdrin, Lam Rim Chenmo, Drung Nge, and the Golden Rosary.
  • 1990-1995: Postdoctoral study on the texts Abhidharma and Vinaya-sutra, which Geshe Jampa completed in 1994, subsequently achieving his Geshe degree. In 1995,  he returned to the US to begin teaching in the West.

Awards and Recognitions 

  • 1982: received the highest award of debating excellence – the Rik-Chung Award. He also received letters of recommendation by the Abbot of Sera Jey University, Geshe Lobsang Thubten.
  • 1985: Received special educational recognition from The Dalai Lama for debates held in his audience.