International Institute of Theravada (IIT)

This will be a great monastery to build great monks. I think this might be the best place to train and ordain, but you will need to be patient on learning full time meditation. There will be time scheduled for retreats during the training though. The abbots are very kind and highly intelligent. They might be some of the most well learned monks in Sri Lanka actually. I might go there some time later on to complete some studies and training.
Where to Ordain? - American Buddhist Monk: Bhante Subhūti

https://www.theravado.com/

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Mission
The International Institute of Theravada (IIT), a fully-fledged training institute based on Theravada teachings is dedicated to the spiritual and academic development of Buddhist monks irrespective of sects (Nikaya) and other differences.

A group of competent monk-disciples (who have completed Theravada Buddhist education in Myanmar and exposed different traditions in Thailand and elsewhere) of the Late Most Venerable Nā-Uyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthera, the vice president of the Śrī Rāmañña Mahānikāya and the Supreme Head of the Śrī Kaḷyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā, and also affiliated to the well-known Nā-Uyana Forest Monastery, Malsiripura, has already commenced initial work in establishing IIT at Karuwalagaswewa, Sri Lanka with the blessings and guidance of senior Mahātheras of both Rāmañña Mahānikāya and Amarapura Mahānikāya.

Monastery

IIT, being a monk-training center, has a monastery. In it, students can lead their lives well according to the disciplinary code advocated under the Theravada Vinaya. Monks in IIT fully abstain from using or handling money as admonished by the Buddha and strive to achieve their aspired sublime goals as per doctrine they have studied in the Academy.

Administrational Structure

IIT is an independent academic institution that would retain autonomy with regard to, all aspects of decision-making.

IIT is governed by its General Assembly of which powers are exercised by three independent bodies, namely Executive Board, Senat and Vinaya Council.Administrational Structure
IIT is an independent academic institution that would retain autonomy with regard to, all aspects of decision-making.

IIT is governed by its General Assembly of which powers are exercised by three independent bodies, namely Executive Board, Senat and Vinaya Council.

Enrollment of Students

•Any Theravada Buddhist monk with a virtuous character (or willing to become virtuous), and who is willing to pursue the training courses of the IIT will be allowed to obtain the training, according to his qualifications required by the Institution’s constitution, regardless of his sect (nikāya) and nationality.
•The constitution will be designed facilitating the studies of non-Theravāda Buddhist monks as well.
•All students who join the IIT are compulsory to follow the Nissayamuttaka Course (NmC) before getting enrolled into other advanced courses.

Mentoring Resources

The IIT is now equipped with necessary qualified monk-teachers capable in conducting the aforesaid main three courses.

Current Mentoring Recourses

The curricular and study materials of the IIT are designed and implemented by a group of senior monks which has been organized as The Study Council. It consists ten monks who had garnered theoretical, practical and disciplinary experiences under monastic traditions in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand.
•Some members have gained Masters and Bachelor Degrees and Diplomas in Buddhist Universities in Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
•Some of the members of the council have successfully passed advanced examination in Myanmar such as Sāsanadhaja Dhammācariya Degree, first stage of the Sakyasīha Dhammācariya Degrees, Sāsanālaṅkāra Degree and Vinayavidū Degree.
•Moreover, some of the members of the council has undergone training, to a certain extent, under the Thai Forest Tradition.

Courses Conducted

The Upāsakajanālaṅkāra Course (For the Laity) includes the following subjects

•Fundamentals of the Theravāda Abhidhamma and Suttas
•Tikamātikā and Dukamātikā of Dhammasaṅgaṇī
•Twenty-Four Paccaya (Conditional Relations)
•Theoretical studies of Samatha and Vipassanā practices
•Basic knowledge in Vinaya essential to support the Buddhist monks properly

Nissayamuttaka Training Course (NmC)

Nissayamuttaka training course is a series of theoretical and practical lessons that will impart knowledge and develop the skills required by a monk who wishes to lead his life without the dependence of a teacher.

• Duration of the course – Six years
• Subjects – Vinaya, Suttanat, Abhidhamma, Pāḷi, Samatha, Vipassanā, History of the Sāsana, English and few more
• Practice – Students undergo daily meditation practices throughout the six-year course (in addition to theoretically studying samatha and vipassanā subjects), and observation of dhutaṅga practices during an entire semester
• Skills – Abilities to execute formal disciplinary acts (vinayakammas), skillfulness in crafts such as robe-making and bowl-colouring and capability in preaching Dhamma

Parisupaṭṭhāka Course (PuC)

Parisupaṭṭhāka training course is a series of theoretical and practical lessons aimed at facilitating the monk to become a qualified mentor with adequate knowledge and spiritual qualities mentioned in the Vinaya Piṭaka as required to become a teacher (preceptor).

•Duration of the course – Two years
•Subjects – Extensive studies on Pārājikāpāḷi, Pācittiyapāḷi, Vinayakammas and Khandhakavatta in Vinaya, comprehensive studies on Mahāvagga of Dīgha Nikāya, Mūlapaṇṇāsaka of Majjhima Nikāya, Mahāvagga of Saṃyutta Nikāya, first half of the Aṅguttara Nikāya, Jātakapāḷi together with its commentary and Dhammapadapāḷi together with its commentary in Suttanta and extensive lessons in meditation especially on giving meditative instructions.
•Practice – Regular meditation during the course
•Skills – Skills in teaching and training students and preaching skills in preaching Dhamma

Bahussuta Courses (BstC)

Bahussuta training courses are the advanced theoretical training courses that focus upon extensive and comprehensive studies on scriptures especially following ancient methods of interpretation preserved in Myanmar. There are few such courses based on the subjects studied. For instance, course for studying the entire Vinaya Piṭaka, course for studying the entire Abhidhamma Piṭaka and so forth.

•Duration of the course – depends on the subject
•Courses
‣The whole Vinaya Piṭaka and related literature The Dīgha Nikāya and related literature
‣The Majjhima Nikāya related literature
‣The Aṅguttara Nikāya related literature
‣The Saṃyutta Nikāya related literature
‣The whole Abhidhamma Piṭaka related literature
‣Visuddhimagga, Paisambhidāmagga and literature related to meditation
‣Advanced Pāḷi Studies; Kaccāyana, Moggallāna, Saddanīti traditions and modern philological studies
•Tasks – Students are expected to write term papers and a thesis at the end of each course.

Minor Courses

There are few minor courses which students can take in order to broaden their knowledge.

•Courses on books of Khuddaka Nikāya such as the Buddhavaṃsapāḷi, Apadānapāḷi and Cariyāpiṭakapāḷi
•Basic foreign language courses intended for monks who wish to do missionary works overseas

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Can we say that it is reliving the Mahavihara tradition in ancient Sri Lanka?

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They seems trying. Observing them for a considerable period of time, may be needed before concluding.

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I was listening to this lecture by IIT.

Just a single lecture, the Bhante is able to accurately explain the Paramattha Dhammas and Paṭiccasamuppāda in brief.

Wrong views (Sassataditthi and Ucchedaditthi) were removed by this video. IIT is very promising indeed as a scholastic institute for Theravada tradition. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu Namo Buddhaya.

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