Central to the practice of Buddhism throughout India and Tibet was the study tradition. It is on the basis of study that one can develop meditation and appropriate conduct, as well as ascertain the meaning of the view, path and result.

Little study is like blindness - you do not know how to meditate.
Without study, what could there be to reflect on?
Therefore, from the cause of making effort to study,
You meditate in accord with reflection and thereby gain vast wisdom.
                     -- Aryasura

In the traditional monastic setting, students studied the Ten Aspects of Knowledge in order to develop clear thinking. The young monks and nuns would study the Root Texts and commentarial literature of pivotal Indian and Tibet scholars whose works eliminated doubts and misunderstandings of the Buddha’s teachings. A key component of this curriculum was the practice of debate, in which the student could scrutinize the views of themselves and others. The learning process was built around discussion between the Teacher and student and between the students themselves.

In order to maintain this tradition in the West, students of the Rime Institute will follow many of the same principles that were used in India and Tibet.