Vajrayana Training offers a rare opportunity to access in-depth education in Buddhist philosophy and practice. Classes are conducted in a traditional ‘Shedra’ style format ( modelled on the curriculum of the Nyingmapa Philosophical College) which entails reading the chosen text line by line, contemplating its meaning, and principles. Through this intensive training, students will receive an orientation to the the views, rituals, symbols, practices and core principles of Vajrayana Buddhism.
TEXT: Great Perfection: Outer and Inner Preliminaries by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche
The Excellent Chariot for the traveler on the Path to Liberation: A guide to the Dakini’s Heart Essence
Module One of Vajrayana training marks the beginning of an extensive journey into the study of one of the most important contemplative texts of the Nyingma tradition; Great Perfection: Outer and Inner Preliminaries. This 18th century practice manual by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche serves as a commentary to the writings of the great Nyingma master Longchenpa and his swan song, the Heart Essence of the Dakinis. This text details the foundational practices from the Great Perfection tradition, from its roots in Tantra to more Advanced Dzogchen contemplations. The Guide to The Dakini Heart redefines the practices of Tantra through the Dzogchen View, presenting the stages of path in its most simple and essential form.
This Module, which includes over 22 classes, contains the teachings related to the opening chapters from the Guide to the Dakinis Heart. In the introductory lessons, titled “How to Listen to the Teachings”, we are first orientated to the correct way to study and practice the Great Perfection teachings. We then proceed into an overview of the Great Perfection lineage, and an explanation on the meaning and importance of empowerment. In the lessons that follow, Pema Khandro Rinpoche shares the practical instructions on the outer preliminaries (the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind) and teachings on Refuge (the first practice from the Inner Prelminairies, also known as the Ngondro).
This module also contains 3 bonus lessons which serve as complimentary material to help support your understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of being a Vajrayana practitioner in a modern day context.
OVERVIEW OF TOPICS TO BE STUDIED IN THIS MODULE:
How to Listen to the Teachings
– Bewilderment
– The Five Certainties and Six Stains
– Classification and Stages
Lineage
– Introduction to Lineage
– Empowerment Part One and Two
Samaya
– The Tantric Vows (Three Part Series)
Outer Preliminaries
– Impermanence
– Compassion and Bodhicitta
Refuge
– Introduction to Refuge Part One and Two
– Refuge of the Dakinis Heart: Oral Transmission
– Buddha of the Three Times
– Amitayus
– How to Take Refuge
– Emptiness, Suffering and Refuge
– What is (and is not) a Source of Ultimate Refuge
– An Interlude: How to Study Buddhism
– Refuge and the Precepts
Supplementary Lessons: Post Conventional Reality, Meditation In Context: Re-thinking our Unthinking, Buddhism as a way of Life: A Journey into the question “What is Tibetan Buddhism”
