Discovering Buddhism
When we study Buddhism, we are studying ourselves, the nature of our own minds. Instead of focusing on some supreme being, Buddhism emphasizes more practical matters such as how to lead our lives, how to integrate our minds, and how to keep our everyday lives peaceful and healthy. In other words, Buddhism always accentuates experiential knowledge-wisdom rather than some dogmatic view. –Lama Thubten Yeshe
For new and intermediate students, Discovering Buddhism is a lively and interactive fourteen-module (approximately two-year) program designed to give students a firm foundation in the Buddhist path. This program is based on topics like the mind, death, and karma, rather than specific texts, and taught from the perspective of practical application to daily life. Participants receive an experiential taste of the stages of the Buddhist path through reading, discussion and meditation. Classes are usually one to two months in length. This program is designed so that the student can take any class without having taken any previous classes in the series and drop-ins are welcome. The full program is offered every 2 years or so, depending on teacher availability.
For more information about this program or current classes contact office@tsechenling.org.
Course Listing
Discovering Buddhism: How to Develop Bodhicitta
The Heart of the Buddhist Path |
Starts Thursday, September 9, 7:00 pm
Weekly through October 28
Teacher:
Ven. Lobsang Chökyi
Location:
Tse Chen Ling Center
This class is a part of our 2 year ongoing Discovering Buddhism program. It is open to anyone with a desire to learn the Buddha's teaching and is particularly helpful in that the subject matter, Bodhicitta, literally 'Mind of Enlightenment' is commonly referred to as the heart of the Buddha's teaching. This class lays the foundation for further study and investigation and has many integration practices to put into practice the concepts taught. The following quote by Lama Yeshe might be helpful to those interested in attending the class "I think it is absolutely essential for us to have loving kindness towards others. There is no doubt about this. Loving kindness is the essence of bodhicitta, the attitude of the bodhisattva. It is the most comfortable path, the most comfortable meditation. There can be no philosophical, scientific or psychological disagreement with this. With bodhicitta, there's no East-West conflict. This path is the most comfortable, most perfect, one hundred percent uncomplicated one, free of any danger of leading people to extremes. Without bodhicitta, nothing works. And most of all, your meditation doesn't work, and realizations don't come." This class is aimed at beginners and intermediate students and workstudy is always available to those who cannot afford the suggested offering. Please offer what you can.
Suggested donation: $108 for course/member discount applies
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Fees
Discovering Buddhism fees help to cover facilities, materials,
administration and other expenses. To assist those who cannot
afford our fees, a flexible work exchange program is available.
No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Registration
To assist our staff in the planning and preparation of materials,
we ask that students register in advance of each course. Simply
call the Center at (415) 621-4215 or email office@tsechenling.org
and provide your name, contact information and class information.
Certificate
Students completing the 14 subject areas in the Discovering
Buddhism program will receive a Certificate. Within each subject,
students are expected to attend lectures, engage in meditation,
complete outside homework and reading assignments and engage in
group and individual practice retreat. Outside reading materials
are assigned with each course. In addition, students will be expected
to read two texts as part of the overall Discovering Buddhism
curriculum. These two texts are "Wishfulfilling Golden
Sun" by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
and "Liberation
in the Palm of Your Hand" by Pabongka Rinpoche. Students
interested in obtaining a certificate of completion will be required
to read these texts over the two year program.
Contact
For further information about the Discovering Buddhism Program,
please email office@tsechenling.org
or call (415) 621-4215. |
