Objectives:
The six part training course is intended for students of Buddhism who have the necessary interest, faith and intention to understand and practice teachings belonging to Buddhist Sutra, Tantra, Mahamudra and Dzogchen but who have no time to engage in extensive learning. In our hectic modern life style when we don't have the leisure of engaging in a long traditional training, there is a need to present the entire corpus of the Buddhist teachings, from the common vehicles to the pinnacle of Dzogchen teachings, in a very essential and readily accessible form. This is the main goal of these courses. Further, from a practical point of view, even the highest dzogchen teachings become more powerful if they are contextualized in the perspective of overall Buddhist teachings to provide a strong foundation. As such these courses will cover the essence of how to practice:
a. Hinayana and Mahayana sutra.
b. Tantric path or the path of vidyadharas.
c. Creation and generation stages of yoga.
d. Six yogas of Naropa as the method.
e. Dzogchen practices of the primordial purity of the ground, of cutting-through (trekcho) and leap-over (thogal).
f. Dzogchen as part of tantric practice or as a practice separate from the tantric path.

Requirements:
Since the goal is to present the entire Buddhist teachings in their essential form, students must commit to taking the entire six months course. This is important since most of students don't have the time to engage in traditional learning and establish firm foundations. In the future the main focus will be dzogchen teachings and this course will provide the necessary foundation and context. At the end of the course a list of books and authors related to the course will be given for those who want to engage in more in-depth study.

Testing:
Since this course is practice oriented, there will be no written test. However students are expected not only to understand but also put the teachings into practice. Rinpoche will be available for any questions or guidance.

Course Details:
Course I: Essence of the Teachings of the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
Part 1
Essence of the Teachings of the First Turning: This teaching cover the subject matter of the five aggregates (skandhas) and sources of perception (ayatanas); these topics are the essence of the teachings belonging to the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.
Part 2
The Five Aggregates In the afternoon Rinpoche will focus specifically on the essence of teachings pertaining to the five aggregates.
Part 3
Practical Application Rinpoche will teach how to put into practice the teachings on the aggregates, sources of perception and spheres of perception (dhatus) according to the common vehicles (Hinayana and Mahayana Sutra).
Part 4
This teaching will discuss how, exceptionally in the tantric tradition, aggregates, sources of perception and spheres of perception are transformed as the path.

Course II: Essence of the Teachings of the Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
Part 1
Essence of the Teachings of the Second Turning: This teaching will cover an essential explanation of the ‘base middle way' with five features; this is the essence of the teachings pertaining to the Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.
Part 2
In this session, Rinpoche will explain and clarify the finer points of differences among the Indian and Tibetan Buddhist scholars and yogis in terms of understanding the middle way view.
Part 3
Rinpoche will continue with the teachings on the middle way view by introducing the meditative practice of calm abiding (shamatha) and special insight (vipashyana) as the mode of carrying into practice the ‘path middle way'.
Part 4
In order to reveal the teachings pertaining to the ‘resultant middle way view', Rinpoche will explain how the union of the two kayas (rupa and dharma kaya) is actualized as the essence of freedom from extremes.

Course III: Essence of the Teachings of the Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
Part 1
As part of the essential teachings of the Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma: This session will cover the teachings pertaining to the nature of the mind.
Part 2
Rinpoche will explain the more essential differences among the Indian and Tibetan scholars and yogis in terms of understanding Buddha nature (tathagatha-garba).
Part 3
Rinpoche will continue on the subject matter of Buddha nature by explaining how the understanding of Buddha nature is carried as practice among the common vehicles.
Part 4
This teaching will culminate in explaining how Buddha nature understanding is carried as practice in the uncommon vehicle of tantrayana.

Course IV: The Perfection of Wisdom Teachings
Part 1
This session will cover the history of the origin of perfection of wisdom teachings and an essential explanation of the ‘the perfection of wisdom of the base'.
Part 2
Rinpoche will continue on this subject matter by explaining in essence the ‘ perfection of wisdom of the path' which refers to the teachings on paths and grounds that are the hidden aspect of the perfection of wisdom teachings.
Part 3
Rinpoche will continue by explaining how to carry into practice the four yogas of perfection of wisdom teachings.
Part 4
Rinpoche will continue by explaining how the ‘perfection of wisdom of the result' is actualized by relying on profound instructions of the method aspect of the path as an enhancement.

Course V: Tantric Teachings
Part 1
This session will cover the history of the origin of vajrayana and an essential explanation of ‘tantra of the base'.
Part 2
Rinpoche will explain the meaning of and differences between Buddhist and non-Buddhist tantras and will explain in essence the meaning and significance of tantric empowerments, commitments and vows.
Part 3
In this session, Rinpoche will explain how to carry into practice the ‘tantra of the path' which covers the practices of yoga with signs and without signs, creation stage yogas and completion stage yogas.
Part 4
Rinpoche will explain the ‘tantra of the result' of carrying into practice illusory body and clear light.

Course VI: Mahamudra and Dzogchen Teachings
Part 1
This session will cover the history of the origin of Mahamudra teachings and the essence of the practice of the six yogas of naropa.
Part 2
Rinpoche will explain the vital points of the stages of meditation of four yogas of the mahamudra path of liberation.
Part 3
This session will cover the history of the origin of dzogchen teachings and reveal the vital points of introducing the ground view of trekchoe (cutting through).
Part 4
Naked Natural State: As the culmination of the essence of the teachings belonging to various yanas, Rinpoche will introduce the four modes of abiding and three modes of liberation in order to see nakedly the natural state.

Pricing and Attendance Structure:
Course via CD (MP3s): $650
Course via DVD (video): $700

Location:
Correspondence Only