(March - December 2000)

BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY

The classes offered are taught by highly qualified Lamas in Tibetan and translated into English. Specific topics of Buddhist Philosophy and practice are taken as their subject. Related texts of Tibetan or Indian origin are also explained. There are two classes of one hour duration– 9-10 a.m. and 11-12 noon.

Note:

Dates and times may change due to scheduled or unscheduled public teachings given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Such changes will be announced in advance if possible. At times the topic may also change if needed and when required. There will be no classes on the second and fourth Saturday of every month nor on Sundays and other official holidays.

(A) Teacher: Geshe Sonam Senge (affectionately known as Geshe Dawa la)
Time: 9-10 a.m.
Translator: Sonam Tsering

Stages of Spiritual Path (Mar 15 - May 31)

Text: An Eloquent Transmission of Manjushri on the Stages of Path (Lam-rim ‘jam-dpal zhal-lung)

The Stages of Path, popularly known as Lamrim, contains a set of spiritual teachings and meditations that will establish firm foundation, preparation for the various methods of realizing one¹s fullest potential. It teaches not only the spiritual stages of attainments that can be actualized by the three classes of practitioners according to Sutra Tradition, but also very briefly guides us through the steps of transcending the grounds and paths of the highest Vajrayana vehicle.

Conscientiousness (June 1 - 30)

Text: Shantideva¹s Guide to the Bodhisattava¹s Way of Life (Bodhicáryávatára, Byang-chub sems-dpa’i spyod-pa-la ‘jug- pa) Chapter Four

Conscientiousness is a mind that prevents the recurrence of disturbing interruptions which impede our daily meditation and other spiritual practice. The text explains the need as well as unique methods of developing conscientiousness regardless of what we do. In straightforward and profound humour, Shantideva helps eliminate all delusive factors such as laziness and distractions using the power of conscientiousness.

Introspection (July 1 - 31)

Text: Shantideva¹s Guide to the Bodhisattava¹s Way of Life Chapter Five

Meditation devoid of introspection will also lack in stability and purity. Mental introspection, like a sentry, guards every movement and function of our mind, including the minutest of feelings and attitudes we cultivate in our pursuit for a good life and eventual attainment of Nirvana. In explaining the techniques of developing introspection, the teaching also throws light on additional beneficial effects of an alert mind.

Patience (August 1 - 31)

Text: Shantideva¹s Guide to the Bodhisattava¹s Way of Life Chapter Six

Patience, as Shantideva explains, is not only a mental ability to forbear and withstand harms and adversaries, but patience is also a special mental power, which with a sense of delightedness, embraces sufferings and miseries that we encounter in our worldly life and religious pursuance for perfect peace and happiness. The author, in plain and simple words, introduces us to most effective means of forsaking and facing sufferings with a calm and composed mind. The verses are especially helpful when external harms and internal disturbances begin to overwhelm us.

Effort (September 1 - 30)

Text: Shantideva¹s Guide to the Bodhisattava¹s Way of Life Chapter Seven

Effort, the mind¹s enthusiasm towards virtue, is of ultimate importance. A force used to propel our mind to its greatest potential. Enthusiasm helps us discover undiscovered qualities of our mind. The unique gift of effort is that even if someone has inferior qualities, they can attain enlightenment by cultivating effort. The teaching on effort will be explained under four main points: (i) Exhortation to practice effort, (ii) Recognising effort, (iii) Eliminating obstacles to effort, and (iv) Increasing the force of effort.

Concentration (Oct 1 - Nov 15)

Text: Shantideva¹s Guide to the Bodhisattava¹s Way of Life Chapter Eight

Concentration, a single-pointed meditation, is a practice necessary for seeing ultimate reality. The chapter on concentration elucidates four essential points, to ensure a correct and successful meditation: (i) reasons for attaining a calmly abiding state of mind; (ii) reasons for abandoning the opponent factors of tranquil meditation; (iii) the means to abandon the opponent factors of tranquil meditation; and (iv) the means to attaining the calmly abiding state of mind.

The Heart Sutra (Nov 16 - Dec 15)

Text: The Heart Sutra (Prajðapáaramitahrdaya-sãtra, Shes- rab snying-po)

The Heart Sutra is a discourse by Buddha on Prajñapáramita, the perfection of wisdom. It is the quintessence of all the Prajñapáramita Sutras. This short rendition condenses the very heart of the Buddha's teachings on emptiness, the ultimate mode of existence of phenomena. The Sutra exists in the form of a dialogue between the Bodhisattava Avalokiteshvara and Shariputra with a blessed approval by Buddha at the end. The harmonious dialogue explicitly teaches a profound approach towards gaining perfection in the wisdom of understanding emptiness.

Refuge-taking Practice (December 15 - 31)

Text: Maitreya¹s Surpassed Tantra (Uttaratantra, rGyud bla- ma)

Taking refuge in the three jewels determines a person as Buddhist and his practice as Buddhism. Based on Surpassed Tantra, the teachings will instruct us on how to seek refuge in a most effectively through a proper identification of the three ultimate objects. In this manner of identification, the unrivalled qualities of Buddha, the perfect teacher; Dharma, his teachings and Sangha, the spiritual community become clear.

(B) Teacher: Geshe Sonam Rinchen
Time: 11-12 noon
Translator: Ms Ruth Sonam

Bodhicitta and Compassion (March 15 - May 15)

Text: Chandrakirti¹s Supplement to the Middle Way (Madhyamika-kárika, dBu-ma la ‘jug-pa) Chapter One

Acharya Chandrakirti, in the opening lines of Supplement to the Middle Way, praises the greatness of Bodhicitta and compassion by elucidating the fact that Buddhas are born from Bodhicitta, the altruistic mind of enlightenment, which stems from the root of compassion and the non-dualistic view. In the first chapter of the text the author gives a general presentation of the Bodhisattava paths and levels and specifically deals with the perfection of giving which is achieved on the first Bodhisattava level.

By corresponding defining the correspondence between the ten perfections to the ten Bodhisattava levels, Chandrakirti skilfully explains the realisations of a Bodhisattava as he transforms from lower to higher levels.

Discipline and Patience (May 16 - June 15)

Text: Chandrakirti¹s Supplement to the Middle Way Chapters Two & Three

The second and third chapters of Supplement to the Middle Way explain how Bodhisattavas accomplish the perfection of discipline and patience on the second and the third Bodhisattava levels respectively. With similes and metaphors, the text skilfully illustrates the dawning of momentous realisations. The teaching also guides us in correct discipline and patience in our daily life, thus one lives a meaningful life.

Effort and Concentration (June 16 - 30)

Text: Chandrakirti¹s Supplement to the Middle Way Chapter Four & Five

Mind¹s delightedness in virtue and its single-pointed abidance on an object laden with higher qualities ensure swift attainment of all our long-awaited goals including complete enlightenment. The text through illustrious examples explains how perfection of effort and concentration are attained on the fourth and fifth Bodhisattava levels respectively. Unfailing effort based on single- pointed concentration, as Shantideva says, leads us to an easy and swift attainment of wisdom realising the ultimate view– emptiness.

Cessation and the Means of its Attainment (July 1 - 15)

Text: Chandrakirti¹s Supplement to the Middle Way Chapter Six

Cessation, the extinguishment of sufferings and its origins, constitute the third of the four noble truths preached by Buddhas in his first Wheel of Dharma. It is the ultimate nature of mind that has attained the final cessation of any delusion or fault. In addition to the means of identifying and attaining cessation, this profound chapter on wisdom also explains the necessity of understanding the profound meaning of emptiness for attaining true cessation.

Object of Negation (July 16 - Aug 15)

Text: Extensive Commentary on Supplement to the Middle Way (Madhyamikakárika-mahá-íikka, dBu-ma-la ‘jug-pa’i íik-chen)

The identification of “the object of negation” forms the most abstruse and intricate of studies in the field of Buddhist philosophy especially that of the Prasangika and Svatantrika Madhyamika school. Based on Extensive Commentary the teachings will help us adopt an empirical and logical approach towards understanding the true reality of phenomena¹s existence through the identification of “the object of negation.” Besides a general view on the self, it also delineates the Prasangika and Svatantrika¹s particularities of identifying the negatee in their arguments establishing the lack of inherent existence.

The Two Truths (Aug 16 - Sept 15)

Text: Chandrakirti¹s Supplement to the Middle Way (Madhyamikakárika, dBu-ma la ‘jug-pa)

Considering Nagarjuna¹s view, Chandrakirti substantiates the point on how the doctrine taught by the Buddha relies on the two truths– conventional truth and ultimate truth. The two truths are to be viewed as object that can be wholly comprehended by every sentient being, and hence should not be taken as unrelated ideas. Those who do not comprehend the difference between the two truths never know the nature of the rare and profound Dharma; and thus cannot attain omniscience, knowing phenomena in its truest form. For this reason, the two truths must pervade in all stages of spiritual pursuit.

Self and its Negation (Sept 16 - Oct 15)

Text: Chandrakirti¹s Supplement to the Middle Way

Does self exist the way it appears? Or, is it void of inherent existence? These questions stemming from unawareness will help one embark the same path earlier treaded upon by the unprecedented Madhyamika philosophers including Nagarjuna. Chandrakirti in his text elucidates the points concerning self and its mode of existence as discovered and propounded by Nagarjuna in his famous work the Treatise of Middle Way. Pointing out the reasons on why aspirants of liberation should negate the existence of a false self, it exhorts everyone to strive for wisdom seeing the ultimate reality.

Buddha-nature (Oct 16 - Nov 15)

Text: Treasury of Knowledge (Abhidharma, mDzod), Ornament of Sutra (Sutralamkara, mDo-sde rgyan), and Sublime Tantra (Uttaratantra, rGyud bla-ma)

What is Buddha-nature? Who has it? Various definitions and debates by profound scholars begin to create the reality of a Buddha mind, what it should be and who can obtain it. The views of the four schools will be reviewed. The explanation of Buddha- nature shall be made according to the four major Buddhist Schools– Vaibhasika, Sautrantika, Cittamatrin and Madhyamika, with the former two based on Treasury of Knowledge, and the latter two on Ornament of Sutra and Sublime Tantra respectively.

Mind-training (November 16 - 30)

Text: Geshe Chekhawa¹s Seven Points on Mind-training (Blo- sbyong don-bdun-ma)

Lojong, the essence of Kadampa teachings, trains us in equalizing and exchanging oneself with others. The whole process of mind- training practice is explained under seven points: (i) becoming a fit receptacle of the Dharma; (ii) cultivation of Bodhicitta; (iii) practices for one¹s lifetime, (iv) means of taking undesirable circumstances as path; (v) the stages of accomplishment; (vi) resolutions and vows; and (vii) the instructions.

Thirty-seven Factors Conducive to Enlightenment (December 1 - 31)

Text: Matireya¹s Oranament to Clear Realization (Abhisamayalamkara, mNgon-rtogs-rgyan)

Based on fourth chapter of the Ornament of Clear Realisation, the teacher will explain the 37 factors conducive for the attainment of enlightenment. The factors are ways of contemplating the stages and paths leading to the prefect state of enlightenment. The thirty-seven factors are: the four contemplations; the four abandonments; the four miracles; the five powers; the five forces; the seven auxiliaries to enlightenment; and the eight paths.

In addition, we invite visiting Lamas to teach brief session >from time to time.

On Mondays, there will be a meditation class, which consist of longer chanting of prayers, followed by a brief instruction from the teacher and a short meditation.

The prayer book for this and the textual classes, entitled "Daily Recitation", is available in Tibetan and with an English translation from the LTWA bookshop and its authorised distributors.

The Dharma teachers may be consulted privately by appointment.

TEACHERS

Venerable Geshe Sonam Senge (a.k.a. Geshe Dawa), who will teach the first class, comes from Kongpo, Central Tibet. He began his religious education when he entered Jangtse college of Gaden Monastic University at the age of 16. He received the Lharampa Geshe degree in 1978. He taught debate and philosophy at Namgyal monastery, Dharamsala, from 1980 until 1987 when he was appointed as a Dharma teacher at LTWA by H.H. the Dalai Lama. He has also taught at various universities and Dharma Centres in South Korea and United States respectively. Presently, he teaches Buddhist philosophy at the Library and Nechung monastery, Dharamsala.

Venerable Geshe Sonam Rinchen, who will teach the second class, was born in the Tehor region of Kham in Eastern Tibet. With the parents’ consent he began his religious studies at Dargye monastery, the largest local monastery in Kham Dhargye, at the age of 12. He pursued his studies for the next seven years there and completed the basic studies in logic. He then made a two and a half month journey on foot to Central Tibet to enter the monastic university of Sera at the age of 19. He continued his studies there until he was forced to flee Tibet in 1959. In India he completed his studies for the degree of Geshe Lharampa which he received in 1980. He also holds an Acharya degree from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Saranath. He has taught classes at LTWA since 1978. Geshe La has also taught in Japan, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland and Switzerland. Several books of his teachings have been published.

TRANSLATORS

Mr Sonam Tsering holds an Acharya degree (equiv. to Master¹s degree) in Buddhist Philosophy and Tibetan Studies >from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Saranath, Varanasi. He joined LTWA¹s Research and Translation Department in the fall of 1996.

Ms Ruth Sonam holds an M.A. degree from Oxford University and has lived in Dharamsala since 1976. She has an extensive knowledge on Buddhist philosophy and practice and has been active as an interpreter and translator since 1981. She had translated and edited several books of Geshe Sonam Rinchen¹s teachings.

TIBETAN LANGUAGE

There will be three terms of three months each: Spring (March- May); Summer (June-August); and Autumn (September- November). Two classes–beginners and advanced–of one hour duration will be held six times a week from Monday to Saturday, except for the second and the fourth Saturday of every month which will be holidays. Whenever deemed necessary an intermediate Tibetan language class shall be opened to suffice those interested in Tibetan.

BEGINNERS (10-11 a.m.)

Beginning with the alphabet, vowels and combinations of letters, students will learn the fundamental structure of the language, how to make simple sentences and use of tenses and so forth. The overall aim at this level is for students to learn general reading and conversation skills.

TEXTBOOKS

Modern Tibetan Language Vol.I

A Basic Grammar of Modern Spoken Tibetan

Modern Tibetan Colloquial Conversations

(All published by LTWA)

ADVANCED (10-11 a.m.)

Students will reinforce and extend their command of Tibetan grammar and idiom. Aspects of Tibetan culture and religion will be introduced to provide the basis for students to discuss Buddhism in Tibetan. The principal aim of this class is to help students become confident and fluent in speaking Tibetan.

TEXTBOOKS

Tibetan Reader for class IV & V

(Both published by Tibetan Cultural Printing Press, Dharamsala.)

Lectures on Tibetan Religious Culture Vol I & II

(Both published by LTWA)

Elegant Sayings of Sakya Pandita (Sa-skya legs-bshad)

by Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (Chapter 1 & 2)

My Land and My People (Ngos-kyi yul-dang ngos-kyi mi- mangs) By His Holiness the Dalai Lama

These will be supplemented by other grammar texts and story books. If deemed necessary, slight changes in textbooks will be made to suit the learners. And the changes will be announced in advance if possible.

TEACHERS

Ms. Tsewang Bhuti, holding an Acharya degree (Master's degree) in Tibetan language and Buddhist Philosophy from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi will teach the beginners’ class.

Mr. Sangye T. Naga, holding an Acharya degree (Master's degree) in Tibetan language and Buddhist Philosophy from Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi will teach the advanced class.

REGISTRATION FEE

Students are required to obtain a registration card before attending any course. Course fee(s) should be paid at the time of registration, either for the whole course or on a monthly basis.

FEES

Registration Rs.50/-

Buddhist Philosophy Rs.100/- per month each class

Tibetan Language Rs.200/- per month each class

ACCOMMODATION

A limited number of rooms, usually with an attached kitchen, are available for research scholars and general students on rent subject to periodical revision. Rents range from Rs.500/- to Rs.2,000/- per month. Rooms will be rented to only the bona- fide research scholars and students who attend a minimum of two classes. No advance booking shall be made. Rooms will be rented only when the students arrives here and registers for classes. If no rooms are available at the time of their arrival, their name will be kept on a waiting list.

Research scholar refers to those scholars who come with a letter of recommendation from their university/institution and who need to use the books, manuscripts and other facilities available in this institution for their research works. Research scholars are required to subscribe to Library Membership. Membership fee per month is Rs.150/-.

OTHER FACILITIES

Foreign Language Reference Library 10,000 titles in English and other language concerning Buddhism, Tibet and related subjects, as well as reference material.

Manuscript Department 70,000 Tibetan titles (books and manuscripts) dealing with Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, psychology, history, medicine, etc.

Museum houses about 1,000 Buddhist objects and art from Tibet.

Book store - All the books and journals published by LTWA are available from the sales counter on the first floor of the main building.

Reprography service written and tape copying services are available at nominal charge.

For further information contact:

The secretary
Centre for Tibetan Studies
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Dharamsala - 176215, H.P.
(INDIA)
Phone: +91-1892-22467
Fax:+91-1892-23723
E-mail: ltwa@ndf.vsnl.net.in

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Last updated: 6-Mar-2000