Introduction to Buddhism 103 and 104

Introduction to Buddhism

Tuesdays, January 16 – March 12, 2024  (except Feb 6), 6:00 – 7:30 pm PT

Onsite at Nalanda West and on Zoom

“We’re cultivating our intelligence as opposed to expanding or upgrading its contents. It’s like brightening a room by putting a higher-watt light bulb in a lamp. Suddenly we can see everything in the room much more clearly.

    — Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Curious about Buddhism and a path of mindfulness?

Introduction to Buddhism is a cycle of teachings based on the fundamental discoveries of the Buddha. What is mind? How do we understand reality? How can we reduce the suffering of ourselves and other beings?

The series are based on the original teachings of the Buddha and lay the foundation for understanding major Buddhist philosophical traditions. Each course has four classes and follows a study curriculum developed by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.

BUDDHISM 103: karma, rebirth and selflessness

• The Four Seals of the Buddha’s Teaching – Part 1
• The Four Seals of the Buddha’s Teaching – Part 2
• The Four Reminders
• Connecting with the Buddha’s Heart

BUDDHISM 104: The four foundations of mindfulness

• Mindfulness of Body
• Mindfulness of Feelings
• Mindfulness of Mind
• Mindfulness of Phenomena

Students may attend either in person at Nalanda West or online. Classes will be recorded and available for viewing until one week after the course ends. The course is free but we ask that you register.  Donations are accepted.

Printed study curriculums by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche are available for purchase at the Nalanda Store.  We recommend that the class readings be done prior to each class.

e-Books are available:

Apple Books

Intro 103 – Karma, Rebirth & Selflessness

Intro 104 – The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Google Play Store 

Intro 103 – Karma, Rebirth & Selflessness

Intro 104 – The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Class Facilitators

A student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 2015, Karen de Luna began her dharma journey in the Shambahala tradition and has been practicing meditation since 2002. An inveterate polymath, Karen is an artist, dancer, and graphic designer. She is grateful to the lineage that has revealed to her a plethora of methods for training her mind.

Kagan Wolfe was first introduced to Tibetan Buddhism in 1988 at age 26 and studied and practiced diligently for close to a decade. Then in 2016 he was introduced to Dzogchen Ponlap Rinpoche and became his student in 2018.  He has found the Nalandabodhi study and practice curriculum to be extremely helpful in furthering and connecting his study and practice.  Kagan works as a financial advisor and enjoys being in nature, reading, playing board/card games with friends, and hanging out with his two cats.

Deborah Horn has been a practicing Buddhist for twelve years. Her desire to connect with an authentic lineage brought her to Nalandabodhi Seattle in 2017, where she became a member and a student of DzogchenPonlop Rinpoche. She enjoys bringing people together through a shared love of the natural world, lucid dreaming, and now, hopefully, Buddhist philosophy.