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 2 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
- After ending of the studies, an analysis will be required within 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.
Contact addresses:

E-mail: info@ibs-usa.org IBS Office

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

Ordination Requirements for IBS students:

The following standards are currently (June 2011) in effect if one is considering ordination as either Dharma instructor or monk in the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, Overseas Parish:

- The candidate must be no older than 55 years at the time of samanera/samaneri (novice monk) ordination; there is no upper age limit on Dharma instructor ordination;

- Gays and lesbians may be ordained into either clergy status including samanera/samaneri, however, bhikkhu/bhikhuni (full monk) ordination is currently not permissible;

- Ordination into either clergy status is not permissible for those already in, or considering, legally recognized homosexual relationships;

- Ordination into either clergy status is permissible for men and women, however, bhikkhuni (full monk) status is not permissible for married women:

- Since samanera/samaneri ordination occurs in Korea, the candidate must be physically capable of handling the four weeks of intensive training in Korea just prior to ordination.

All requirements only effect in the overseas parish of Taego order however other Taego order’s parishes in South Korea use the original constitution.

Moreover, any one wish to get a qualification to become a Taego monk or Dharma instructor then he (or she) must attend protocol retreat at least once a year (conduct by Dean and other faculty members).

D. Tuition:

$400.00 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.