Westchester Buddhist Center Advanced Level Course

* Suggested Donation: $108

Prerequisites: Completion of prior WBC advanced level courses, or permission of either of the instructors which will be granted based upon prior depth of practice and study.

ABOUT THE COURSE

This course will further our understanding and experience of the three yanas of Tibetan Buddhism. It will serve as preparation for the study of the third volume of The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma as well as for the practice of the Vajrayana preliminaries.

To accomplish all this, we will read through most of one of the most beautiful and comprehensive descriptions of the bodhisattva path, The Treasury of Precious Qualities by Jigme Lingpa, using a very skillful commentary by Kangyur Rinpoche.  To better understand the introductory practices of the vajrayana path, we will read Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang’s masterful commentary to Patrul Rinpoche’s famous Words of My Perfect Teacher.  Additionally, we will supplement these readings with material from Gampopa’s famous Jewel Ornament of Liberation and Patrul Rinpoche’s own Words of My Perfect Teacher. Together this will provide a comprehensive understanding of the lamrim or gradual path teachings as presented in the Nyingma and Kagyü lineages.

Source Texts **

1. TPQ - Treasury of Precious Qualities, A Commentary on the Root Text of Jigme Lingpa by Longchen Yeshe Dorje, Volume One – Book One, translated by the Padmakara Translation Committee (paperback 2010 edition).

2. GWMPT - A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher, by Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, translated by Dipamkara and the Padmakara Translation Committee.

3. SB - Sourcebook containing excerpts from:

a. JOL – The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, by Gampopa, translated by Herbert Guenther;

b. WMPT – Words of My Perfect Teacher, Paltrul, translated by the Padmakara Translation Committee.

Teachers: John Baker and Derek Kolleeny.

SCHEDULE: 

Sept. 11 with John

Sept. 18 with Derek

Sept. 25 with John

Oct. 2 NO MEETING

Oct. 9 with Derek

Oct. 16 with Derek

Oct. 23 with Derek

Oct. 30 with Derek

Nov. 6 NO MEETING - SPECIAL WORKSHOP WITH RINGU TULKU RINPOCHE

Nov. 13 with Derek

Nov. 20 with John

Nov. 27 NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 4 with John

Dec. 11 with Derek

Dec. 18 NO MEETING - SPECIAL WORKSHOP WITH SHARON SALZBERG

Dec. 25 Sunday Closed for Winter Holiday

Prerequisites: Completion of prior WBC advanced level courses, or permission of either of the instructors which will be granted based upon prior depth of practice and study.

* We are committed to making our programs affordable to all. Those with limited income please offer what you can afford in our donation page here and include a note for the program you are offering towards. 

** Please obtain a copy of both PTQ and GWMPT before the first class meeting.  The sourcebook will be available at the first meeting – hard copies for purchase at cost; electronic copies for no charge.