Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Second Buddhist Philosophy Class
Time: 10:30 to 11:45 am
Teacher: Geshe Lobsang Tsondue
Texts: Patrul Rinpoche’s Words of My Perfect Teacher (Wylie: Kun bzang bla ma’i zhal lung)
11 March – 12 December
Geshe-la will continue teaching the remaining parts of The Words of My Perfect Teacher, picking up from where we left off last year. This text serves as a practical guide to the spiritual practices common across all Tibetan Buddhist traditions. It is one of the most cherished introductions to the foundations of Tibetan Buddhism and is frequently recommended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other esteemed teachers. The text provides a detailed methodology for how ordinary individuals can transform their thinking and embark on the path to liberation. It explains everything we need to know to practice the teachings effectively while helping us avoid the many pitfalls that can arise on the spiritual journey.
After that, Geshe-la will teach the Wheel of Sharp Weapon (blo sbyong ‘khor lo’I mtshon cha). This text is a significant text in Tibetan Buddhism, attributed to the Indian master Dharmarakshita. This work addresses the profound consequences of harmful actions and the importance of ethical conduct, illustrating how negative deeds lead to suffering. Here’s a brief overview of its key themes:
- Karma and Its Consequences: The text emphasizes the law of karma, detailing how harmful actions can lead to negative outcomes both in this life and in future lives.
- Impermanence and Suffering: It highlights the transient nature of life and the inevitability of suffering, encouraging practitioners to reflect on the importance of ethical living.
- Mind Training: The text often focuses on developing awareness and compassion, providing methods for transforming harmful thoughts and actions into positive ones.
- The Path to Liberation: It underscores the importance of engaging in virtuous actions to cultivate a better future and ultimately achieve liberation from the cycle of samsara.
- Visualization Practices: Some versions include meditative practices that help practitioners visualize the consequences of their actions, reinforcing the teachings on karma.
Recommended text
Rinpoche, Dza Patrul. The Words of My Perfect Teacher. Translated by Padmakara Translation Group. Boston: Shambhala, 1998.
Ngawang Palzang, Khenpo. A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher, Boston: Shambhala, 2004.Pal, Namkha. Mind Training Like the Rays of the Sun, Dharamsala: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Jinpa, Thupten (trans.). Mind Training: Great Collection. Montreal: Library of Tibetan Classics.