Track Selection

Students of IBS have three options to select as they commence their studies:

Track 1: . This is for students who are taking the online courses solely for expanding their knowledge and appreciation of the Buddha-Dharma. There are no prerequisites for this track, and all are welcome to study.

Track 2: This track bestows certifications of Expert in the Dharma and Expert in Meditation at the culmination of successful studying. To complete this track, students must graduate from IBS and attend a minimum of one protocol retreat during the course of their studies. Retreats are offered regularly in North America, with opportunities to study abroad. All expenses associated with the attendance of the retreat are the sole responsibility of the student.

Track 3: This track is for students wishing to become Dharma Instructors or Monks. Students must possess a letter of recommendation from a Taego clergy member to begin this track. Once accepted, the student will be paired with a mentor with whom he or she must be in contact regularly either in person or remotely. See elsewhere for additional information regarding the requirements of this mentorship. In addition to the four semesters worth of courses, students on this track are responsible for attending three protocol retreats during the course of their study. Retreats are offered regularly in North America, with opportunities to study abroad. All expenses associated with the attendance of the retreat are the sole responsibility of the student.

A. Semester schedule
1. First semester (1st week of March to last week of June)
2. Second semester (1st week of October to last week of January)
3. Third semester (1st week of March to last week of June)
4. Fourth Semester (1st week of October to last week of January)
Note:
- Starting and ending date of each semester will be posted
- An essay (minimum of 3 pages) and an exam will be required at the end of the first three semesters (further individual information will be posted).
- All 18 topics will be divided into 4 semesters (depending on the size of each topic) and will require an essay every semester
- At the completion of studies, an analysis will be required during the fourth semester.

B. Curriculum of IBS
1. History and geological background of pre-Shakyamuni era
2. Brahmanism and Sramana practitioners
3. History of Shakyamuni Buddha
4. Cultivation and enlightenment
5. Characteristics of Bhagavat teachings
6. Structure of the whole / four elements and five skandhas
7. Tri-Laksana (Three Dharma characteristics)
8. The law of Pratitya-Samutpada and Dvadasa-Pratitya-Samutpada (twelve links)
9. Theory of Middle path (Madhyama-Pratipad)
10. Theory of Karma and Vipaka (action and deed)
11. Four noble truths and eight-fold right path
12. History of two major schools (Theravada and Mahayana)
13. Teachings of two major schools (Theravada and Mahayana)
14. Theravada’s Sutta / texts (all five Nikayas)
15. Theravada’s Vinaya / rules and precepts (all six major Vinayas)
16. Theravada’s Abhidharma (includes Sarvastivadin school) *this will be an option
17. Mahayana’s Sutra / texts (seven major sutras)
18. Mahayana’s Vinaya (short terms)
19. Mahayana’s Abhidharma (two major sastras) *this will be an option
20. Meditation (Samatha / Vipassana / Chan)

Note: All 18 topics will be divided into 4 semesters (depend on the size of each topic) and required an essay every semester

C. Fee and obligation

"Application for Registration" to the IBS Office before the new semester has started.
No registration fee required.

Contact addresses:

E-mail: jongmae@att.net IBS Office

U.S.A: Bo Kwang Temple, 1768 North Glenview Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807  U.S.A

POLICY ON EXPECTATIONS & PRIVILEGES OF CLERGY

Effective: Friday, March 11, 2016 (BE 2559)

Categories of clergy listed below are authorized and expected to perform the following:
Full Monk / Full Zen Priest: (Kr. Bigu / Biguni) (Title: Venerable / Sunim)
In addition to the rights and privileges of all other clergy categories, a Monk/Priest may...
. Officiate refuge ceremonies and bestow lay precepts (Panca Sila).
. May supervise/mentor formal students after five years as Bigu/Biguni.
. May establish temple/center and serve as Abbot/Spiritual Director.

Novice Monk / Novice Zen Priest: (Kr. Sami / Samini) (Title: Venerable / Sunim)
In addition to the rights and privileges of the Dharma Teacher category, Novices may...
. Provides dharma missionary work in local community.
. May establish temple / center with permission of the AE Parish Bishop.
. May perform public ceremonies (i.e., blessings, weddings, memorials).
. Lead practice retreats and instruct during protocol retreats.
. Hold administrative positions and serve on parish committees.

Senior Dharma Instructor: (Title: Sr. Reverend / Sr. Buddhist Minister / Sr. Bup Sanim)
also call "Senior Dharma Teacher"
In addition to the rights and privileges of the Dharma Teacher, Sr. Dharma Teachers may...
. Provides Dharma missionary work in local community.
. Provides spiritual accompaniment and guidance to individuals and families.
. If local abbot approves and bishop agrees, may establish a temple/center in partnership with said abbot who already has a temple in an established locality.
. By AE Parish Bishop's invitation, and under the guidance of a Bigu/Biguni, may establish a temple/center in a new locality (localities are defined by Taego Regional Directors).
. May perform public ceremonies (i.e., blessings, weddings, memorials).
. Lead practice retreats and instruct during protocol retreats.
. Hold administrative positions and serve on parish committees.

Dharma Instructor (Title: Reverend / Buddhist Minister / Bup Sanim)
also call "Dharma Teacher"
The Dharma Teacher is to be aligned with an established temple/center and may exercise these privileges under the supervision of a Monk / Priest Abbot...
. Offer Dharma Talks?
. Lead basic service ritual and ceremony.
. Offer meditation instruction and lead meditation sessions (excluding practice retreats).
. Offer introductory seminars and classes to local sangha and in community with Abbot consent.

Dharma Student In Training:
The responsibilities of the Dharma Student are to support a temple/center through regular and consistent participation, financial support, manual work, apprenticeship under a guiding teacher, and maintenance of good standing in all required academic programs (i.e., I.B.S. USA, ICBM).

ORDINATION:
For a postulant/candidate to receive ordination at the following levels, all below criteria must be met:
Novice Monk / Novice Zen Priest: (Kr. Sami / Samini) (Title: Venerable / Sunim)
All postulants/candidates must be at least 20 years in age and no older than 55 years by date of ordination. All postulants/candidates must satisfactorily pass the admissions process, including all requisite background checks, psycho-social testing, and interviews prior to beginning apprentice training/IBS USA. Applicants are responsible for all associated fees.
. Successfully complete a minimum of 3 years of apprentice training at an established temple/ center, under the guidance of a Monk/Priest, documented in certified logbook.? (Long-distance/remote students are responsible for monthly tuition/honorarium to guiding teacher.)
. Satisfactory completion of 2-year IBS USA seminary program.
. Attendance at a minimum of 3 protocol retreats during apprenticeship.
. Travel to South Korea and successfully complete 4 weeks of monastic training.
. Signed approval from Guiding Teacher, AE Parish Bishop, and Ordination Committee.
. No outstanding tuitions, fees, memberships, or dues.

Dharma Instructor (Title: Reverend / Buddhist Minister / Bup Sanim)
All postulants/candidates must be at least 30 years in age or older prior to beginning apprentice training/IBS USA and have satisfactorily passed the admissions process, including all requisite background checks, psycho-social testing, and interviews. Applicants are responsible for all associated fees.
. Successfully complete a minimum of 3 years of apprentice training at an established temple/ center, under the guidance of a Monk/Priest, documented in certified logbook.? (Long-distance/remote students are responsible for monthly tuition/honorarium to guiding teacher.)
. Satisfactory completion of 2-year IBS USA seminary program.
. Attendance at a minimum of 2 protocol retreats during apprenticeship.
. Signed approval from Guiding Teacher, AE Parish Bishop, and Ordination Committee.
. No outstanding tuitions, fees, memberships, or dues. ?
Note:
In some cases special provisions may be granted at the discretion of the AE Parish Bishop.

PROMOTION:
For a clergy member to receive promotion, all below criteria must be met:
Novice Monk / Novice Zen Priest -> Full Monk/Priest
. Successfully complete a 5 year probationary practice period with evidence of dharma missionary work and community outreach.
. Submit a certified logbook of supervised hours under guiding teacher.
. Satisfactory completion of 4-year ICBM program during probationary period.
. Signed recommendation of Guiding Teacher, AE Parish Bishop, AE Parish Senior Bishop/Patriarch and Ordination Committee.
. Travel to South Korea and participate in Bigu/Biguni Ordination ceremony.
. No outstanding tuitions, fees, memberships, or dues.

Dharma Instructor -> Senior Dharma Instructor
. Successfully complete a 5 year probationary practice period with evidence of dharma missionary work and community outreach.
. Submit a certified logbook of supervised hours under guiding teacher.
. Satisfactory completion of 4-year ICBM program during probationary period.
. Signed recommendation of Guiding Teacher, AE Parish Bishop, and Ordination Committee.
. No outstanding tuitions, fees, memberships, or dues. ?
Note:
In some cases special provisions may be granted at the discretion of the AE Parish Bishop.

IBS Allows you to gain a formal, non-sectarian Buddhist education through our online seminary program. Authentic monastic and lay ordinations recogized in Korea and around the world.

The I.B.S. Online Seminary was created to allow those interested to study while keeping their job and family life. Retreats offered regularly in North America, with opportunities to study abroad. Celibacy is optional.

D. Tuition:

$500.00 U.S dollars per each semester

E. IBS USA reserves the right to dismiss any student who does not comply with the following school regulations:

All assignments including essays and homework must be completed each semester. In the case that a student is dismissed for failure to complete their work for a given semester, no refund of tuition will be awarded. Tuition refund will also not be awarded to students who decide not to complete the four semester program after having successfully completed any number of semesters. The only case in which a tuition refund will be considered is if a student requests it within three (3) weeks of the start of a semester.