Mahayana - The Path of the Bodhisattva

Latest update, May 24, 2008. Check for updates.

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Supplemental Reading List and Teacher Web Sites

Course Reading

We are using two main source books which are available from amazon.com, Samadhi bookstore in Barnet VT, and elsewhere. Some other readings will be provided on line.

Indestructible Truth, Reginald A. Ray, Shambhala Publications, 2000

The Places That Scare You, Pema Chödrön, Shambhala Publications, 2002

The course outline table gives the readings for each talk. Please read pages 311-318 of Indestructible Truth and chapter three of The Places That Scare You before the first talk on January 16.

If you have the time, please review hinayana. We recommend that you read chapters ten and eleven of Indestructible Truth and reread the first chapter of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso’s Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness which is available on line. (click here) Non-self or egolessness is the first part of emptiness, which is a core teaching of the mahayana.

Course Syllabus: Topics and Readings
Date
Topic and Other Readings
Reading
Indestructible Truth
Reading
The Places That Scare You
MP3 Talks
Jan. 16 Transition from Hinayana to Mahayana

Sakyong Mipham: Talk on Refuge Vows

Outline of Talk One

Refuge Vow and Four Thoughts: Print for Class

Optional reading on the Four Thoughts:
Indestructible Truth, Chapter 10
pp. 311-318 Chapter 3 Talk 1
Feb. 6 Birth of Bodhicitta

Joy and Equanimity

Bodhisattva Aspirations

Bodhisattva Practices
pp. 318-326 Chapters 1, 2, 4 Talk 2
March 5 The Bodhisattva Vow, Spiritual Friend,
Four Limitless Qualities

Bodhisattva Vow: Print for Class
pp. 331-336
pp. 348-351
Chapters 6-13
Chapter 21
Talk 3
March 8 All Day Meditation: Tonglen

Pema Chödrön on Tonglen
pp. 351-355 Chapter 9 Tonglen Talk
March 19 Paramitas 1-5 pp. 336-345 Chapter 17 Talk 4
April 2 Prajnaparamita and Heart Sutra

Heart Sutra: Print for Class

Cutting Through - Shunyata
pp. 345-347 Chapters 18, 19 Pema on Prajnaparamita
April 16 Lojong

Traleg,The Practice of Lojong, pp. 40-52

Outline of Slogans
Chapters 5, 15, 20
Appendix pp. 125-128
Talk 6
May 7 Buddha Nature

Asanga's Story

Talk 7 (Written Essay)
pp. 419-424
pp. 433-438
Talk 7
May 21 Vajrayana, Final Review and Celebration

Study Questions
Talk 8