Tuesdays, Oct 14–Dec 16, 2025
5:30–7:00 pm PT
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.”
Details
Classes are facilitated by Dianne Eberlein and Jay Sacks. There are nine classes and one practicum.
Schedule, Dates, Class Outline
Tuesdays, Oct 14–Dec 16, 2025
5:30–7:00 pm PT
- Oct 14 – Wisdom and the Middle Way
- Oct 21 – The Ground of Madhyamaka
- Oct 28 – Prajña and the Two Realities
- Nov 4 – Distinguishing Svatantrika and Prasangika
- Nov 11– The Progressive Stages of Letting Go
- Nov 18 – No Self, No Problem
- Nov 25 – The Five Great Madhyamaka Reasonings
- Dec 2 – The Vajra Slivers Reasoning – Practicum
- Dec 9 – The Fourfold Mindfulness About What is Unreal
- Dec 16 – The Benefits and Results of Realizing Emptiness
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for this course are MAH 301 and MAH 302.
Format
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.
Facilitators
Dianne Eberlein became a member of Nalandabodhi Seattle in 2010 and became a formal student of Ponlop Rinpoche the following year. Originally from Minnesota, Dianne moved to Seattle in 2004 and, after retiring from a career in business, became involved in the community through volunteer teaching. After discovering Nalandabodhi in the Fremont neighborhood, she developed an active interest in Buddhist philosophy and completed the Study Curriculum of Nalandabodhi as well as attending classes of its affiliated nonprofit, Nitartha Institute. Dianne is actively involved in the Seattle sangha and served as Nalandabodhi Seattle Sangha Director from 2019 to 2024.
Jay Sacks, a retired physician, has been a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 2012. He is a Nalandabodhi Karunika and serves as a key volunteer for Nalandabodhi Seattle, and is a teacher in training for the Nitartha Institute of Buddhist Studies.
