The Sakya View of Emptiness with Venerable Pema Sherpa

Refining the View of Emptiness: Appreciating the Sakya and Gelug perspectives

Part One: The Sakya View of Emptiness with Venerable Pema Sherpa

When: Sunday, November 24th, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EST

Of all of Buddha’s teachings, the view of emptiness has attracted the most commentary and debate, because this wisdom is the crucial key to complete and final release from all suffering, while also being a truth that is very subtle and difficult to understand.

Through a curious non-dogmatic contemplation of differing presentations of the wisdom of emptiness, we will find an explanation that helps us to develop a deeper experience. As our experience grows, we will be able to make sense of ever more subtle expressions of this wisdom and come to appreciate differing perspectives as stages towards fully experiencing the truth directly.

Therefore, please join us in a two-part series presenting the Sakya and Gelug presentations of the Madyamaka view of emptiness. Venerable Pema Sherpa has kindly agreed to give a presentation on the Sakya view of emptiness. Geshe Sonam will give a presentation on the Gelugpa view of emptiness in the new year.

Supplementary Reading: Freedom From Extremes: Gorampa’s “Distinguishing the Views” and the Polemics of Emptiness, translated by Jose Cabezon and Geshe Lobsang Dargyay

Where: To watch the teachings online on Zoom please register here. (this is a very simple and quick registration process by email), or watch the sessions live-streamed on Facebook or YouTube.

Venerable Pema Sherpa

Venerable Pema la is a graduate of the philosophy school of the Dzongsar Monastery in Bir, India (associated with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche), and has an MA in Buddhist studies from the University of Virginia. He is currently working towards a PhD at McMaster University, researching texts on Vinaya/Buddhist monastic discipline.

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