Current Courses
(for complete course descriptions see the “Curriculum” page)
Course 3: Bodhisattva Path This course marks the transition to the view and practice of the teachings of the Second Turning of the wheel of dharma. Based upon the foundational understanding of no self, this course investigates the view of emptiness and compassion and the practices of the bodhisattva. Through study of Shantideva's Bodhicharyavatara, we will explore the awakened heart of bodhichitta, the transcendent practices of the paramitas, the ultimate antidote of emptiness, and the expression of placing others wellbeing before our own. |  |
Dates: Registration opens September 2 , 2008
Class begins September 16th and concludes Dec 2nd
Cost: $240
Course Number: NGE 350e
Teacher: Lama Phil Karl
Required texts:
A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, Shantideva Translated by Stephen Batchelor GBWL) Meaningful to Behold, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (MTB)
Recommended readings
Training the Mind, Chogyam Trungpa
found in these sources
(see syllabus for specifics):
The Myth of Freedom, Chogyam Trungpa
1975, 1978, 1979, 1980 & 1982 Hinayana/Mahayana
Seminary Transcripts, Chogyam Trungpa
The Way of the Bodhisattva, Shantideva/Padmakara,
Buddha’s Lions, Abhayadatta/Robinson
Torch of Certainty, Jamgon Kongtrul
The Wish Fulfilling Jewel, Dilgo Khyentse
Turning the Mind into an Ally, Sakyong Mipham
Meditation in Action, Trungpa Rinpoche
Wild Awakening, Ponlop Rinpoche
Course 5: Yogachara
Here we begin our exploration of the teachings of the Third Turning of the wheel of dharma. Yogachara (literally, “mastery of meditation") moves beyond concerns with emptiness, to explore the way the world appears once emptiness is understood. Laying the ground for Vajrayana meditation, this course examines the root teachings of Yogachara, such as the three natures (svabhava) and the eight consciousnesses (vijnana) and how experience of the world is transformed on the path, without having to abandon experience.
Dates: Registration opens September 2 , 2008
Class begins September 16th and concludes Dec 2nd
Cost: $240
Course Number: NGE 550e
Teacher: Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown & Lama Phil Karl
Information and links for textbooks
Books:
Required reading:
Thrangu Rinpoche, Everyday Consciousness and Buddha-Awakening.
VCTR, Glimpses of Abhidharma, “Form” and “Consciousness”
VCTR, Selections from the Seminary Transcripts
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamsho Rinpoche, Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness.
Additional selected readings.
Recommended:
Thrangu Rinpoche, Transcending Ego: Distinguishing Consciousness and Wisdom.
Karl Brunnholzl, Center of the Sunlit Sky, selections.
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Creation and Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation
Course
7: Mahamudra
Mahamudra is the meditative tradition of the Kagyü lineage, associated with the Anuttarayoga tantra. It is regarded by the Kagyüpas as the profound inner reality of all true dharma teachings. This course traces the three kinds of Mahamudra teachings through the creation phase practices of deity yoga and the completion phase practices involving meditation without form. How do we understand these teachings in the context of the Vajrayana practices we have received? We will explore this question and how we might deepen our practice through direct investigation of the nature of mind.
Dates: Registration opens September 2 , 2008
Class begins September 16th and concludes Dec 23rd
Cost: $280
Course Number: NGE 750e
Teacher: Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown, Acharya Gaylon Ferguson, Lama Phil Karl
Information and links for textbooks
Required Texts:
Thrangu Rinpoche, An Ocean of the Ultimat Meaning: Teachings on Mahamudra (Boston: Shambhala Publications, 2004)
Jamgon Kongtrul, Creation and Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation (Boston: Widsom Publications, second edition, 2002). (Out of Print: Available as pdf file online.)
Selected additional readings
From the Vajrayana Seminary Transcripts of the Vidyadhara and the Sakyong. From other selected sources, electronic copies in online sourcebook.
Highly recommended for this course:
Wangchuk Dorje, Mahamudra: The Ocean of Difinitive Meaning (Seattle: Nitartha Publication, 2001).
Dzogchen Ponlop, Wild Awakening (Boston: Shambhala
Publications, 2003).
Recommended additional readings:
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Early Tantra Groups
Thrangu, Ninth Karmapa's Ocean of Definitive Meaning
Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso, Transcripts from Karme Choling programs
Traleg Rinpoche, Mind at Ease
Takpo Tashi Namgyal, Mahamudra: The Essence and Quintessence of Meditation
Dakpo Tashi Namgyal, Clarifying the Natural State
Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, Collected Vajra Assemblies
Khenpo Tsultrum Gyamtso, Yogic-Exercise Instruction
Khenpo Karthar, A Commentary on the Ocean of True Meaning. (Five Volumes)