8 week Madhyamaka course

[Miroku]

"The online seminar series will introduce the Madhyamaka or “Middle Way” teachings, the foundational view of emptiness/nonduality upon which all Buddhist practice is based. The seminars will be based on Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s teachings on Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara, the Heart Sutra, and the Vajracchedika Sutra, as well as other related teachings by Rinpoche such as the Two Truths and the Four Seals."

http://madhyamaka.com/

This seems like a great opportunity to deepen one's understanding of buddhist philosophy. In Buddhism right view is of great importance and is essential in one's practice and daily life.

Week 1 is already online.
Happy Saka Dawa!

[Miroku]

Also another amazing thing from Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche!
Translation of the Vimalakirti Sutra 
http://84000.co/doc/vimalakirti/Vimalakirti Book_E_screen-170607.pdf

"Incidentally, the Vimalakīrti Sūtra isn’t a gradual teaching, it falls into the highest category of teachings on the definitive meaning – nītārtha in Sanskrit. But just because you are reading a high teaching that contains all manner of extraordinary statements, don’t now despise or look down on the gradual path, and don’t kid yourself that you are ready to let go of the basic teachings. Remember, you are not Śāriputra – not one of us is a practitioner of his calibre.
At the same time, by reading this sūtra, we can eavesdrop on some uniquely insightful discussions that contain a great deal of information we need to hear. If we ignore these teachings, or don’t bother to read or listen to them, chances are that the Buddhism of the future will pale into insignificance. Practitioners will end up doing little more than sit on zafus, eat vegetarian food, and pursue personal happiness and non-violence – which is utterly pathetic!
I have been told that ‘smile’ is currently a hashtag for Buddhism. It’s so embarrassing! Vimalakīrti would never have tolerated it. If he were alive today, he would ruthlessly rip apart and demolish the so-called ‘spiritual’ teachings that are currently being touted as the ‘truth’. What would he have to say about Buddhism’s ‘smile’ hashtag, and using ‘mindfulness’ as a therapy, I wonder?
 If Buddhism must have a hashtag, it should be ‘meditate and don’t meditate at the same time, otherwise you’re not doing it right!’ Which is what Vimalakīrti said to Śāriputra. He also said, you should meditate as if you were already a stainless, immaculate, sublime being, but without giving up your ordinariness. Be sublime but don’t give up the mundane – that’s how you are supposed to meditate. Of course, you must also concentrate and you mustn’t get distracted, but that shouldn’t stop you from using your senses."

Sorry for the long quote but this book is worth a read.

[doc benway]

Amazing!

Wonderful stuff, thank you

[jin song]

Miroku,

 

I was about to study Madhyamaka, and this is the great source!!

Thanks for your posting!