In 1997, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche and a group of devoted students at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Kathmandu formalized the existing study program for foreigners at the monastery, and the year-round Rangjung Yeshe Institute program was born. Today, RYI offers both BA and MA degrees in Buddhist Philosophy and Himalayan Languages, intensive summer language and cultural study programs, and has become one of the premiere Buddhist study programs in Asia. And on 9th December of 2007, the Rangjung Yeshe Institute celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary!