skip to content

Spring 2008 Classes - Descriptions

The following classes are described on this page:

Grounds And Paths of Sutra

Meets Mondays, 6:30-7:45 PM
Instructor Craig Preston
Prerequisites Prior knowledge of the subject is helpful, but not required
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire semester
Description The methods for mental transformation embodied in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions operate within a worldview based on the bondage of cyclic existence and the path of liberation from it. The topic of Grounds and Paths charts this journey in terms of the incremental development in the factors of compassion and wisdom. The textbooks used to introduce students to the grounds and paths are written from the point of view of the Middle Way Autonomy School (and sometimes the Middle Way Consequence School for comparative purposes). We will be looking at a Grounds and Paths text written by Gon-chok-jik-may-wang-bo (1728-1791), Presentation of the Grounds and Paths Beautiful Ornament of the Three Vehicles. In addition we will read a modern commentary on this text by the senior scholar Denma Locho Rinpoche.

Special Insight

Meets Mondays, 8:00-9:15 PM
Instructor Venerable Tenzin Gephel
Prerequisites Prior knowledge of the subject is helpful, but not required
Suggested Reading The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Lama Tsongkhapa
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire semester
Description This course will focus on the special insight chapter from The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419). The text is written from the point of view of the Consequentialist Middle Way school, and presents a detailed exposition of the means of achieving the Special Insight Observing Emptiness. In addition, Special Insight as the Cultivation of Wisdom Realizing Ultimate Truth based on Calm Abiding will be discussed. Each class meeting will include discussion and a brief meditation practice on the course subject.

Lamrim: Middle Scope

Meets Tuesdays, 6:30-7:45 PM
Instructor Venerable Thupten Woser with Palden Oshoe, translator
Prerequisites None -- This course is very suitable for both beginning and advanced students
Suggested Reading The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, by Lama Tsongkhapa
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire semester
Description The study of the Lamrim is an ongoing component of the Namgyal Monastery curriculum. The Lamrim teachings on the stages of the path to enlightenment are intended to help both students and scholars subdue their minds in order to achieve the highest happiness. In this course, the instructors will be offering an in-depth commentary, focusing primarily on the Middle Scope section from The Great Exposition of the Stages of the Path (Lamrim Chenmo), composed by the great Tibetan Buddhist scholar, Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419). The Small Scope section of the Lamrim Chenmo will serve as the introduction to this key subject. An English translation of this text can be found in The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, available at Snow Lion Publications in Ithaca, NY.

Bodhicharya Avatara: Chapters 6 to 8 - Session I

Followed By Bodhicharya Avatara: Chapters 9 to 10 in Session II
Meets Tuesdays, 8:00-9:15 PM
Instructor Venerable Lobsang Tashi with Palden Oshoe, translator
Prerequisites None -- This course is very suitable for both beginning and advanced students
Suggested Reading Bodhicaryavatara: A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire semester
Description Combining qualities of scholastic precision, spiritual depth, and poetic beauty, Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life) is a classic text which appeals to a wide audience of both Buddhist's and non-Buddhist's alike, and has served as an inspiration to millions of people throughout the world. Session I will focus on the topics of tolerance or working with anger, cultivating enthusiastic perseverance, and meditative concentration.

Bodhicharya Avatara: Chapters 6 to 8 - Session I

Preceded By Bodhicharya Avatara: Chapters 9 to 10 in Session II
Meets Tuesdays, 8:00-9:15 PM
Instructor Venerable Lobsang Tashi with Palden Oshoe, translator
Prerequisites None -- This course is very suitable for both beginning and advanced students
Suggested Reading Bodhicaryavatara: A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire semester
Description Combining qualities of scholastic precision, spiritual depth, and poetic beauty, Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life) is a classic text which appeals to a wide audience of both Buddhist's and non-Buddhist's alike, and has served as an inspiration to millions of people throughout the world. Session II will be primarily concerned with the topic of wisdom.

Seven-Points On Mind Training

Meets Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:45 PM
Instructor Venerable Lobsang Tashi with Palden Oshoe, translator
Prerequisites None -- This course is very suitable for both beginning and advanced students
Suggested Reading Enlightened Courage by Dilgo Khyentse, and Advice from a Spiritual Friend by Geshe Rabten
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire semester
Description This course will focus on the Lojong teachings of the famous Kadampa master Geshe Chekhawa (1101 - 1175). The Lojong practice is central among the teachings in Tibetan Buddhism. Its insights and method of meditation offer extremely practical tools for working through difficult situations in our daily lives. Students will explore special methods for generating bodhichitta, leading to the transformation of selfishness into selflessness, anger into love, and suffering into happiness. The instructors will be using the texts Enlightened Courage, and Advice from a Spiritual Friend as the basis for the course material. Both texts are available at Snow Lion Publications in Ithaca, NY.

Tibetan Buddhism Discussion Class

Meets Thursdays, 6:00-7:45 PM
Instructor Sidney Piburn, co-founder of Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, and Snow Lion Publications
Prerequisites None -- This course is very suitable for both beginning and advanced students.
Suggested Reading Reading handouts will be provided
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire semester
Description This discussion class will explore Buddhist thought and practice in accordance with the specific interests and needs of the students taking the class. As topics arise, short readings will be suggested. Practices and exercises will supplement the ideas being discussed. Open to everyone.

Meditation on Karma - Session I

Followed By Meditation on Compassion in Session II
Meets Thursdays, 8:00-9:15 PM
Instructor Ven. Tenzin Wangchuk
Prerequisites None -- This course is very suitable for both beginning and advanced students.
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire
Description A clear understanding of the workings of karma is foundational to all Buddhist analysis. Buddhists believe that non-virtuous actions naturally lead to suffering, whereas virtuous actions naturally lead to happiness. All of our suffering and happiness are linked to karma in either an indirect or direct manner. The instructor will present a detailed description of the law of causality, describe how delusional states of mind perpetuate cyclic existence, and further explain how we can stop accumulating negative karma resulting from these delusional states. This is a practice-oriented class where students will learn, as a preliminary approach to analytical meditation, strategies for engaging the analysis of the dynamics of karma in one’s personal meditation practice.

Meditation on Compassion - Session II

Preceded By Meditation on Karma in Session I
Meets Thursdays, 8:00-9:15 PM
Instructor Ven. Tenzin Wangchuk
Prerequisites None -- This course is very suitable for both beginning and advanced students.
Suggested Reading Calming the Mind, by Gen Lamrimpa, Snow Lion Publications
Tuition $115.00 for each 6-week session, or $230.00 for entire
Description His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that love and compassion are the universal religion; and in all his teachings he reiterates the power of compassion as the means by which to overcome the darkness of suffering. If the seed of compassion is not nurtured, the seeds of negative thoughts can easily give rise to anger, hatred, and the self-centered mind, therefore dominating our experience, governing our actions, and leading to further suffering. He maintains that love and compassion are more suited to human nature than is the aggression of anger and hatred. This is a practice-oriented class where students will learn concrete meditation techniques that will enable them to generate and cultivate the compassionate mind in their everyday encounters with others. The instructors view these meditation practices as one of the great gifts Tibetan Buddhism offers to modern society, helping to make the world more humane, and individual actions more compassionate.

Beginning Colloquial Tibetan

Meets Mondays, 8:00-9:15 PM
Instructor Ven. Tenzin Wangchuk
Prerequisites This course is a continuation from the Fall 2007 semester, and is suitable for beginners
Suggested Reading Fluent Tibetan, Vol. I and handouts provided by the instructor
Tuition $150.00 for each 6-week session, or $300.00 for entire semester
Description This course is an introduction to the modern Tibetan language in both its spoken and written forms. Students will learn the Tibetan alphabet, basic grammar, and develop speaking and comprehension proficiency through extensive use of drill and conversational practices. Fluent Tibetan, Vol. I will be used as the main text for the course, and will be further supplemented by the instructor with selected handouts from The Manual of Standard Tibetan.

Intermediate Colloquial Tibetan

Meets Tuesdays, 6:30-7:45 PM
Instructor Ven. Tenzin Thutop
Study Materials Fluent Tibetan, Vol. II and handouts provided by the instructor
Tuition $150.00 for each 6-week session, or $300.00 for entire semester
Description In this class students will continue to develop speaking and comprehension proficiency through extensive use of drill and conversational practices. Fluent Tibetan, Vol. II will be used as the main text for the course, and will be further supplemented by handouts from the instructor.

Advanced Intermediate Conversational Tibetan

Meets Thursdays, 6:30-7:45 PM
Instructor Ven. Tenzin Thutop
Study Materials Fluent Tibetan, Vol. III and handouts provided by the instructor
Tuition $150.00 for each 6-week session, or $300.00 for entire semester
Description The instructor will conduct Tibetan-only conversation with those who wish to move on to more advanced colloquial Tibetan. Class will be based on Fluent Tibetan, Vol. III and will be further supplemented by handouts from the instructor.
`