Sunday, February 27 at 1:30 pm (second class)
Instructor: Khenpo Jampa Tenphel
Cost per class: $20 Public, $15 Members
Instructor: Khenpo Jampa Tenphel
Cost per class: $20 Public, $15 Members
Venerable Khenpo Jampa will be teaching a ten-class series based on this important text that describes the ten stages of the Bodhisattva path up to perfect enlightenment. This course is meant to be taken after the introductory Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism seminar. The classes in this course are designed to build on each other, so attendance in all 10 classes in recommended. Descriptions of classes 5 – 10 are forthcoming. Dates for those classes will be announced in late winter.
To register: please call the Monastery at 206.789.2573 or email monastery@sakya.org.
Class 1 ( January 23): Buddha Potential (Sanskrit- Tathagatagarbha)
Buddha potential is also called Buddha nature. Every sentient being possesses this potential. Therefore we can ascertain that every sentient being can achieve the state of Buddhahood through activating this potential through progressive practices.
Class 2 (February 27): Four Ways to Engage in Bodhisattva Activities
1) Providing for the needs of others
2) Effective communication in teaching the Dharma
3) Setting a good example and avoiding hypocrisy (Do what you say and say what you do)
4) Engaging in the welfare of sentient beings (Encouraging others to practice)
Class 3 (March 27): The Five Paths and Ten Grounds
The five paths and the ten grounds are the manner in which the bodhisattva travels on the path. Each path and ground is a spiritual level of mental development. It is necessary on one hand to develop positive qualities while on the other hand to remove defilements and afflictive emotions. The completion of these things occurs at the level of the Tenth Ground which is recognized as the Buddha Ground.
Class 4 (April 10): Buddhahood
This teaching will cover a description of the qualities of a Buddha’s body, speech and mind. In particular, different level or types of Buddha’s body will be discussed.
Khenpo Jampa Tenphel comes to us from Dzongsar Institute in India, where he was the library director as well as a tutor for many years. He received a Degree of Acharya (equivalent to an M.A.) in Buddhist Philosophy in 2002 and was ordained as an Abbott in 2004. He has received many teachings and initiations from all four sects of Tibetan Buddhism (Sakya, Gelug, Kagyu, Nyingma). Many of those teachings and initiations were from H.H. the Dalai Lama and H.H. Sakya Trizin. He has also received the Lamdre teaching from H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche. His root lamas are H.H. Sakya Trizin, H.H. Luding Khen Rinpoche, and H.H. Dagchen Rinpoche. At Sakya Monastery, Khenpo Jampa teaches intermediate and advanced level curriculum on Buddhist philosophy and also serves as the librarian for the growing collection of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.