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
Establishing a Daily Practice
Discovering Buddhism |
Starts Thursday, January 14, 7:00 pm
Weekly through February 18
Teacher:
Ven. Lobsang Chökyi
Location:
Tse Chen Ling Center
All levels. Beginning a spiritual practice can be a daunting experience. Get some help assembling the tools you need to develop a inspiring daily practice that carries throughout the day. Using Lama Zopa Rinpoche's A Daily Meditation Practice, as a guide, become familiar with the elements necessary to generate realizations in the mind. Learn methods that can help make every action of the day meaningful.
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Samsara and Nirvana
How we got into this mess and how to get out! |
Starts Thursday, March 11, 7:00 pm
Weekly through April 22
Teacher:
Ven. Carol Corradi
Location:
Tse Chen Ling Center
Learn what we mean by cyclic existence or “samsara, ” and what we mean by suffering as well as how to work with and eliminate that suffering.
If "samsara" is a condition of our mind, how do we escape the cycle and achieve “nirvana” or liberation. How do we practically work with this understanding while working, going to school and living our ordinary lives?
Empower yourself with practical tools and meditations to understand, deal with and eliminate disturbing emotions or mental afflictions forever. We'll go through all the main delusions: anger, attachment, jealousy, pride and so on, and learn how to work with them in meditation and off the cushion.
Suggested donation: $99 per term/25% 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. |
