Teachings on the Abidharma-kosa: Primary Mind and Mental Factors
| Date | January 29-31, 2010 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
The Abidharma-kosa is a fundamental Buddhist text written by Vasubandhu. The text contains eight chapters that cover a wide range of topics related to Buddhist world view and philosophy. Within in this text are descriptions and discussion of the primary mind and mental factors. Primary mind and mental factors are distinguished according to the objects of mind and the essential nature of the mind. The primary mind generally focuses on an object as a whole, while mental factors focus on specific aspects of an object or its function. There are 51 mental factors identified in the Abidharma including the five omnipresent mental factors of feelings, recognition, intention, concentration and contact. In this teaching Geshe Sherab will describe and discuss primary mind and the mental factors, how they are related to the delusions of attachment, aversion and ignorance and how mind training and other antidotes can be used to overcome these delusions.
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 1/29
7:00 - 8:30 PM: Introductory talk
(Free and open to the public - Donations are welcomed)
Saturday 1/30
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 1/31
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