The Precious Garland of Tenets
| Date | November 20-22, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM |
| Location | Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY |
| Instructors | Geshe Tenzin Sherap Palden Oshoe, translator |
| Cost | $140, see details below |
| Registration | Pre-registration required, see details below |
| Prerequisites | None. This intensive is suitable for both beginning and advanced students. |
This weekend intensive will continue a series of visits to Namgyal by Geshe Sherap in which he will teach on the important topic of the Buddhist tenet systems. The root text Geshe Sherap will be teaching from, The Precious Garland of Tenets by Gon-chok-jik-may-wang-bo (1728-1791), is a short clear map of the entire spectrum of Buddhist tenets (Vaibhashika, Sautrantika, Chitamatra, and Madhyamaka) in the context of the non-Buddhist philosophies that existed in India at the time of the origins of Buddhism. It provides a systematic presentation of the Buddhist philosophical assertions regarding ontology, epistemology, and the transformative and therapeutic potential of mind. The systematic study of the four Buddhist tenet systems provides a natural progressive sequence of enquiry which results in a vast and profound understanding. It is the backbone of Buddhist practice. In this particular intensive, Geshe Sharap will cover the Mind Only (Chitamatra) system of tenets from within the Great Vehicle (Mahayana) school of Buddhism. An English translation of Gon-chok-jik-may-wang-bo’s Precious Garland of Tenets can be found in Cutting Through Appearances (1989) by Geshe Lhundup Sopa and Jeffrey Hopkins.
Geshe Tenzin Sherap was born in South India in 1964. He entered Namgyal Monastery at the age of 14, where for five years he studied all types of Buddhist ceremony and ritual. At 19 he joined Ganden Jangtse Monastery in South India. After studying for 17 years at Ganden, Geshe Sherap was awarded the Geshe degree. He then went for a year to Gyumey Tantric University where he studied Tantra and polyphonic chanting. After completing his study at Gyumey, Geshe la returned to Ganden Jangtse where he was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest academic degree in Tibetan Buddhism. After a year of teaching young monks at Ganden, Geshe Sherap was promoted to teaching debate techniques to the senior monks. He has also taught at Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala, India, Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca, NY, and is presently the resident teacher at Land of Compassion Buddha in West Covina, California. Geshe Tenzin Sherap is known for his clear and accessible teachings on both beginning topics and the most subtle of Buddhist philosophies and teachings.
Location
Aurora Street House, Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY (address and directions.)
Cost
The cost for the weekend intensive is $140, and includes a simple breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and a catered vegetarian dinner on Saturday.
Senior Discount
15 percent
Registration
To register, please contact Namgyal with your full name, address, telephone number, and email (optional).
Payment
Please make your personal check, money order, or bank cashier's check payable to “Namgyal Monastery” and send to our mailing address.
For payment by credit card, please register first and then process your payment through the “Donate to Namgyal Ithaca” link on our Supporting Namgyal page. In the Comments field of the Payment Form, enter the name of the event for which you are paying.
Schedule of Activities
Friday 11/20
7:00 - 8:30 PM: Introductory talk
(Free and open to the public - Donations are welcomed)
Saturday 11/21
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Simple breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 AM: Session one
10:15 - 10:30 AM: Tea break
10:30 AM - Noon: Session two
Noon - 2:00 PM: Lunch break
2:00 - 3:15 PM: Session three
3:15 - 3:30 PM: Tea break
3:30 - 5:00 PM: Session four
5:15 - 6:30 PM: Vegetarian dinner
Sunday 11/22
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Simple breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 AM: Session one
10:15 - 10:30 AM: Tea break
10:30 AM - Noon: Session two