SGIHNS (SHEDA)

About Us

The Post-Graduate level Nyingmapa higher Buddhist studies centre, called Sikkim Government Institute of Higher Nyingma Studies, an organ of the Education Department, Govt. Of Sikkim, and affiliated to Sampurnananda Sanskrit Vishwavidyalya, Varanasi (U.P), came into being in the year 1964 as the Nyingma Sheda as an outcome of the visionary efforts of the then Chogyal of Sikkim Sir P.T. Namgyal.

Know More

Message from principal

It is a matter of unadulterated pleasure and pride for me to have been associated with Sikkim Institute of Higher Nyingma Studies (Sheda), called just Nyingma Sheda in the days of yore, for a major part of its existence, in different capacities. Being at its helm for the last more than eighteen years, I have tried to maintain its unique identity in every possible way. It has given me great satisfaction to always try to strike a balance between the traditional customs, mores and values-to safeguard which it was established- and realities of the fast advancing modern times. I am pleased to say that I have got full and unqualified support of my staff members in the pursuit of protecting, preserving and furthering the Nyingmapa way of life all through my journey.

Khenpo Sonam Bhutia

Our Vision & Mission

The Sikkim Government Institute of Higher Nyingma Studies (Sheda) envisions itself as a center of excellence dedicated to preserving and promoting the finest traditional elements and practices of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayas, the institution aims to serve as a repository of knowledge, safeguarding the teachings, rituals, and customs that have shaped the Sikkimese way of life for centuries.

The Nyingmapa tradition, which has been a cornerstone of Sikkim's unique spiritual and cultural identity, has profoundly influenced the region's history and its people's way of life. Sheda seeks to continue this legacy by offering a space where students can learn and engage deeply with the spiritual, philosophical, and cultural practices of the Nyingma tradition, thus contributing to the preservation and rejuvenation of a culture that has flourished in the lap of the Himalayas.