On Zoom, 9-10:30 a.m. (Pacific) Saturdays, Sept. 9 – Dec. 16
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The teachings of the Buddha are based on knowledge and wisdom. Our curiosity and enthusiasm about reality is an expression of our wisdom. The Buddha used his curiosity and persistence to explore the nature of reality. He discovered that genuine wisdom is finding a middle way between the extremes of nihilism and permanent existence. This “middle way” approach is most prominently and famously articulated by the Madhyamaka School of Mahayana Buddhism. Its teachings on emptiness are derived from the prajnaparamita sutras.
This course is the third in a six-course series that examines Mahayana Buddhism. It explores how the brilliant scholar and teacher Nagarjuna explained the Buddha’s teaching from a logical perspective. It includes a description on the development of the Madhyamaka philosophical school in India and Tibet and explains the distinctions between its major branches. It explores the definitions of the two truths and the “five great Madhyamaka reasonings.”
Classes are facilitated by Sal Tufano. There are 10 facilitated classes, five discussion groups and one practicum for a total of 16 class meetings.
REGISTER
Sept. 9: Class 1 – Wisdom and the Middle Way
Sept. 16: Class 2 – The Ground of Madhyamaka
Sept. 23: Discussion Group
Sept. 30: Class 3 – Prajña and the Two Realities
Oct. 7: Class 4 – Distinguishing Svatantrika and Prasangika
Oct. 14: Discussion Group
Oct. 21: Class 5 – The Progressive Stages of Letting Go
Oct. 28: Class 6 – No Self, No Problem
Nov. 4: Discussion Group
Nov. 11: Class 7 – The Five Great Madhyamaka Reasonings
Nov. 18: Class 8 – Practicum, The Vajra Slivers Reasoning
Nov. 25: Discussion Group
Dec. 2: Class 9 – The Fourfold Mindfulness About What is Unreal
Dec. 9: Class 10 – The Benefits and Results of Realizing Emptiness
Dec. 16: Discussion Group
The prerequisites for this course are MAH 301 and MAH 302.
All classes will be hosted on Zoom and will be recorded. Access to recordings will be available until two weeks after the course has concluded. After registration, you will be sent an email with the Zoom link and password as well as a link to the Resource Page with the recordings.
Sal Tufano is a senior student of Ponlop Rinpoche and an experienced Nalandabodhi study class facilitator. He began a dharma path nine years ago in Boulder, Colorado at Naropa University with a masters degree in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. His path has continued through the study and meditation programs offered by Nalandabodhi and Nitartha Institute. He has been a student of Ponlop Rinpoche since November of 2016. Sal has served as Nalandabodhi’s Chief Strategy Officer and spent four years on the NB Senior Administrative Team. He has contributed to some key mandala projects including acquiring the Contemplative Resource Center in Texas and the ongoing Digital Content Delivery project.
