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Advanced Courses |
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Advanced Courses (Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana)These courses consist of four Hinayana courses, ten Mahayana courses, and six Vajrayana courses. At this time, the Advanced courses largely explore one of the eight Great Treatises of the Kagyu tradition . HinayanaThis series of courses examines in detail the Buddhist terminologies and classifications of mind and phenomena as taught in the Abhidharma literature of foundational Buddhism, particularly as understood by the two philosophical systems of the Vaibhashika and Sautrantika. The focus of the course is the material presented in Vasubandhu’s seminal Abhidharmakosha, whose root verses present the Hinayana abhidharma from the Vaibhashika perspective, while its autocommentary frequently represents the viewpoint of the Sautrantika understanding. The faculty teach from Karmapa Mikyö Dorje’s monumental Commentary on the Abhidharma: Bestowing the Fulfillment of Accomplishment and Happiness. The key topics of this four-course sequence are the central themes of the Kosha itself, which is divided into eight chapters and an appendix:
MahayanaThis series of courses studies in detail one the principal Indian classics of the Madhyamaka tradition, Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara (Entrance to the Middle Way) along with two key Kagyü commentaries by the eighth and ninth Karmapas, The Chariot of the Dakpo Kagyü Siddhas and Feast for the Fortunate. This sequence of four courses covers the Madhymakavatara’s eleven chapters -- which correlate with the ten bhumis or grounds, and the ten paramitas or perfections, plus the ultimate bhumi of buddhahood:
The focus of Nitartha’s study in particular is on the sixth chapter, which treats of prajna, or transcendental knowledge. The subject matter is Chandrakirti’s discussion of the selflessness of phenomena and of the individual, the impossibility of finding a self anywhere within the range of phenomenal experience. This two-course sequence is a detailed look at the stages of the path of the bodhisattva as presented in Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thaye's Treasury of Knowledge, which in turn is based on the fundamental root text for the stages of the path, Maitreya's Ornament of Clear Realization (Abhisamayalankara). Key topics include a thorough description of the five paths of accumulation, junction, seeing, meditation, and no-more-learning; distinguishing the Mahayana understanding of these paths from the Hinayana; a presentation of the ten bhumis (grounds); and a discussion of the prajna (insight) that arises on the paths. This series of courses presents Maitreya's Ornament of Clear Realization (Abhisamayalankara) based on the commentary by the eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje, Relief of the Noble Ones. Maitreya's work is the central Mahayana text on the stages of the path and their fruition for both the Hinayana and Mahayana. It is traditionally summarized in a fine way in seventy points or more generally in eight chapters:
These four courses focus on the first chapter, “knowledge of all aspects.” Whereas the Madhayamaka literature presents the explicit meaning of the Prajnaparamita sutras, the subject matter of the Abhisamayalankara is the hidden or implied meaning, the various stages of the paths of bodhisattvas, shravakas and pratyekabuddhas. These courses are taught from time to time by the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche or one of the Acharyas to enhance and broaden the scope of the Mahayana tradition as presented at the Institute. In 2005, for example, Nagarjuna’s Mahayana text Praise of the Dharmadhatu was presented. Vajrayana[Prospective students must receive approval to attend courses in the Vajrayana section. In general, one must be a Vajrayana student in order to enroll in the Nitartha’s Vajrayana courses. The purpose of the Vajrayana curriculum is not to provide instruction in Vajrayana practice, but to cultivate an in-depth understanding of the view of Vajrayana that underlies such practice.] This two-course sequence introduces the view of Vajrayana based on the introduction and first chapter of the third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's Profound Inner Reality (Zabmo Nangdön). The first chapter teaches the general theory behind the yogic practices of the highest yoga tantra (anuttarayoga tantra) of the Vajrayana. These two courses specifically build on the understanding developed during the Mind & Its World sequence of the foundation curriculum and the Madhyamaka, Chittamatra, and Buddha Nature courses of the intermediate curriculum. Key themes that this course will revisit are the explanation of relative experience in terms of skandhas, dhatus, and ayatanas; the interaction of the eight consciousnesses in giving rise to phenomenal perception; and the development through the three phases of impurity, partial purity, and complete purity. This series of courses continues with an in-depth study of the sixth chapter from the third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's Profound Inner Reality. The emphasis of this chapter is on bringing awareness to the four states of human life – dream, deep sleep, sexual union, and waking life. This sequence of courses will also undertake the study of the Hevajra Tantra in light of Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thaye's commentary, Elucidating the Secret of the Indestructible Vajra. The main emphasis of the Hevajra Tantra is the various types and expressions of conduct in the Vajrayana. |
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