When: Sundays, beginning January 12th, 2025,10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
Where: Online only for now. We will let you know when we will be welcoming people in person for our Sunday teachings again. This will probably sometime in mid-February.
Register ahead to watch on Zoom (this is a very simple and quick registration process by email), or watch the sessions live-streamed on Facebook or YouTube.
Please Note: We will be taking a one-week break from this program on February 9th for Geshe Sonam’s presentation on The Gelug View of Emptiness. You can read more about this class here.
Fundamental Texts of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
In this series, Geshe Sonam will introduce key texts of the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition in chronological order from most recent to most ancient. These texts are “fundamental” because they offer foundational teachings in the key aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice.
Each text will be taught in around two-month increments by Geshe la, not rushing, but covering it thoroughly and explaining it, and then later alternating to the next volume. Once students understand the breadth and depth of the texts, we may choose to complete the entire series of texts from beginning to end, returning to each until it is finished, or embark on a topic from the FPMT Basic Program. You can learn more about the full series here.
Stages of Meditation by Kamalaśīla
Kamalaśīla (740-795 CE) was an Indian Buddhist scholar from Nālandā monastery who accompanied Śāntarakṣita to Tibet at the request of King Songtsen Gampo. His three texts on Bhāvanākrama, the Stages of Meditation seek to establish a correct understanding of the practices of śamatha (concentration) and vipaśyanā (special insight) for a genuinely liberating meditative practice. The three volumes of the Bhāvanākrama are expressed with exhaustive references to the Mahāyāna canon presented in a way that the reader can directly apply to their practices of hearing, contemplation, and meditation. This text is said to be one of the most important of the Indian Mahāyāna gradual approach to enlightenment, in which the practitioner cultivates the path according to a roadmap of stages.
Khedrup la will be referring to this translation: The Stages of Meditation
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A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path by Je Gampopa Sonam Rinchen
In addition, Geshe Sonam will give a commentary on The Precious Garland of the Sublime Path The Oral Instructions of Lord Gampopa. This text was written by Gampopa who was the pre-eminent disciple of Milarepa and whose teachings and texts are at the core of the Kagyu traditions. It is a pithy text of sayings meant to succinctly lead the practitioner to correct view, conduct, and meditation.
Another translation of this text can be found here: A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path.
Please Help Support These Precious Teachings
Our programs are given freely, and we also rely on your generosity – this is the traditional and pure way of the Buddha Dharma. Offering support for the Dharma can be a limitlessly powerful act. This is the highest, most long-term form of generosity, which is to share with others the path to full awakening. When we support the Dharma we create causes for us to encounter the Dharma frequently, and we create the merit to be able to integrate the teachings in our minds easily. Offering support deepens our connection to Dharma teachers and connects us as a community.
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