The Basic Program Homestudy Packages
STAGES OF THE PATH: Middle Lamrim
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With study comes understanding; but this must be put to use. It is therefore vital to put as much as one can of what one has studied into practice… |  |
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–Lama Tsong Khapa
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The celebrated system of teachings known as the Stages of the Path (Lamrim) represents a synthesis of the entire path to enlightenment. Presented in a clear and concise form, these teachings are easy to understand and apply in meditation. Instruction begins with the preliminary practices, and then progresses through the essential practices of the ‘beings of the three scopes’, including correct guru devotion, renunciation, the altruistic wish for enlightenment and the view of the middle way. As a foundation and context for Buddhist practice, this subject is a key element of the Basic Program. This subject will be offered in the form of well edited transcripts of the teachings given by Geshe Jampa Gyatso for the Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Italy. They include extensive teachings on the Calm Abiding and Special Insight sections of the text. The introductory CD provides a detailed meditation manual and a wealth of supplementary course materials. The package comes with an additional audio CD with guided Lamrim meditations.
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Form is empty, emptiness is form; form is not other than emptiness, emptiness is not other than form… | |
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–Shakyamuni Buddha
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The famous Heart Sutra reveals the truth of emptiness through a short exchange between two of the Buddhas most illustrious disciples, Avalokiteshvara and Shariputra. In a weekend teaching Geshe Ngawang Drakpa gave a lucid commentary to this revered scripture in the context of the Basic Program at Tse Chen Ling Center, San Francisco. A CD with MP3s of the teachings is accompanied by an introductory CD including all course materials, a transcript with charts, and retreat instructions.
ENGAGING IN THE BODHISATTVA DEEDS
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For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide, to dispel the misery of the world. | |
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–Shantideva
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Shantideva’s inspirational verses on Mahayana aspiration and practice, composed more than a thousand years ago and still widely regarded as the most authentic and complete guide for the practitioner dedicated to the enlightenment of all beings, It ranges in scope from simple, practical techniques for developing generosity and dealing with destructive emotions, up to the most refined discussion of ultimate truth. This subject will be offered in two packages with audio recordings (MP3) of the teachings by Amithaba Buddhist Centre's Geshe Chonyi (Singapore), who gives a lucid and practice oriented presentation of the text, explaining the Bodhicaryavatara verse by verse with an emphasis on applying the teaching to daily life. The packages come complete with recordings of some lively discussion sessions at ABC and guided meditions.
MAHAYANA MIND TRAINING: Wheel of Sharp Weapons
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And thus bodhisattvas are likened to peacocks: They live on delusions – those poisonous plants. Transforming them into the essence of practice, they thrive in the jungle of everyday life. Whatever is presented they always accept, while destroying the poison of clinging desire… | |
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–Dharmarakshita
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This subject presents one of the most esteemed mind training teachings, and a powerful weapon to cut through our true enemies - the self-grasping and self-cherishing which oppose altruistic intent and prevent lasting happiness and peace. A set of 12 DVDs with video recordings of teachings given in 2003 by Ven George Churinoff for the Basic Program at Land of Medicine Buddha (Califonia) is complemented by 2 DVDs of the practice day with meditations and Q&A that concluded this course, and an introductory CD with all course materials.
SUBLIME CONTINUUM OF THE MAHAYANA
CHAPTER ONE: THE TATHAGATA ESSENCE
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I bow to the one who, with no beginning, middle or end, has a serene stillness and is clear-minded and fully evolved, who became clear from his own aspects and once clear, shows fearless, constant paths of the mind to bring realisation to those with no realisation… | |
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–Maitreya
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One of the major texts studied in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum clarifies the meaning of our Buddha potential, in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment. In his oral commentary for the Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Italy, Geshe Tenzin Tenphel offers a concise and lucid presentation of this inspiring subject. This package offers the MP3 audio recordings of the 24 teachings on three CDs, with transcripts and suggestions for meditation included on the Introductory data CD with course materials.
MIND AND COGNITION part one: Awarenesses and Knowers
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All human accomplishment is preceded by correct cognition. | |
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–Dharmakirti
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The presentation of the various types of awarenesses and knowers explores the way we perceive and interpret the world around us. This Basic Program homestudy package contains a set of 14 DVDs of teachings and guided meditations by the American monk Thubten Tsultrim (George Churinoff), which took place at Land of Medicine Buddha, California. Ven. George introduces the subject in an accessible way, relevant to daily life. A practice day with additional meditations and discussions is included on the last two DVDs. An introductory CD includes all the required materials for this course.
MIND AND COGNITION part two: Minds and Mental Factors
In Minds and Mental Factors the various positive and negative emotions as well as the cognitive states relevant to practice of a liberative path are identified and described. This set of 14 DVDs of teachings and guided meditations by Gelong George Churinoff from the Basic Program at Land of Medicine Buddha makes for a fascinating study of this popular and practical subject. The practice day that concluded the course provides extra meditations and question and answer sessions on DVD 13 and 14. The introductory CD includes all course materials.
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My doctrine has two modes: advice and tenets. To children I speak advice, and to yogis, tenets. | |
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–Lankavatarasutra
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Based on the idea that the Buddha taught different things to different people in line with their capacities, Tibetan scholars systemized the numerous trends in Indian Buddhist thought and taught the four schools of Tenets (Drubtha) as a means to approach the most profound philosophical teachings via more accessible levels. The text that is the basis for study of this subject gives a brief overview of the assertions on minds, objects, selflessness and the nature of attainment within each of the schools, culminating in the tenets of the most highly esteemed school, the Madhyamikas. In this package Geshe Tsulga's teachings for the Basic Program at Kurukulla Center (Boston, USA) are presented in video on 9 DVDs, accompanied by an introductory CD supplying the transcript and all course materials.
ORNAMENT OF CLEAR REALIZATIONS
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That which through the knower of all leads Hearers seeking pacification to peace, which through the knower of paths causes those helping migrators to achieve the aims of the world, and through the perfect possession of which the Munis set forth these varieties having all aspects, to the Mother of the Buddhas as well as the host of Hearers and Bodhisattvas, I pay homage. | |
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–Maitreya
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Maitreya’s Ornament of Clear Realizations is the root text for the study of the levels of realization related to enlightenment according to the Madhyamika school. This important scripture, traditionally the basis for extensive study in the monastic curriculum, made explicit these levels which were otherwise presented in only a hidden manner in the Buddha’s Perfection of Wisdom teachings. From among the seventy topics covered by the Ornament, the eleven topics of Chapter Four have been selected for commentary in the Basic Program curriculum. This package presents the teachings by Geshe Tenzin Tenphel for the Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy, in MP3 audio format, with an introductory data CD including the transcript and all course materials.
GROUNDS AND PATHS OF SECRET MANTRA
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In brief, the Buddhahood achieved over countless aeons, you will attain in this birth, through the most excellent bliss, or the state of Vajradhara. | |
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–Samputa Tantra
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Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra offers a concise overview of the structure of the Tantric path, widely acclaimed in Tibet as the swiftest and most sublime means to realize Buddhahood. Tantra distinguishes itself in particular through a unique combination of method and wisdom, achieved through meditation on the perfect form of a Buddha as completely devoid of true existence. Kirti Lobsang Trinley’s commentary presents the most important features of the four classes of Tantra as well as the initiation procedures and particularities of the deity yoga related to each class. The study of this subject requires initiation in Highest Yoga Tantra.
The supplementary subjects:
SEVENTY TOPICS
Seventy Topics is an important study of the entire sutra path to enlightenment as presented in the Ornament of Clear Realizations, including all the fundamental features of the basis, path and goal in the Mahayana. The Topics are listed and each is defined and explained in turn.
DEATH, INTERMEDIATE STATE AND REBIRTH
Death, intermediate state and rebirth underpin samsara, the condition of repeated rebirth impelled by previous action and delusion. But they are also the three ‘basic bodies’ of Highest Yoga Tantra practice, forming the bases for altruistic transformation into the Truth, Enjoyment and Emanation Bodies of a Buddha. This transformation is brought about by means of simulating in meditation the stages of the death process that result in manifestation of the clear light mind. Therefore, this teaching explains in detail both the death process and the way it is brought into the path to enlightenment. The study of this subject requires initiation in Highest Yoga Tantra.
HIGHEST YOGA TANTRA COMMENTARY
An explanation of the generation and completion stages of highest yoga tantra.