{"id":6690,"date":"2024-08-13T22:44:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T22:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rigpedorjemontreal.org\/?p=6690"},"modified":"2024-08-15T15:56:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T15:56:11","slug":"une-introduction-profonde-a-la-philosophie-bouddhiste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rigpedorjemontreal.org\/en\/une-introduction-profonde-a-la-philosophie-bouddhiste\/","title":{"rendered":"A Profound Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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An In Depth Introduction
\nto Buddhist Philosophy<\/b><\/h1>\n

Instructor: Pierre Orgyen Cardinal<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 15-week program designed for both beginners and more advanced students. Pierre Orgyen Cardinal, a senior student of Buddhism, will lead this course under the guidance of Acharya Ch\u00f6ying Gyurmey, our resident lama. IN PERSON ONLY<\/p>\n

Course offered in French: Saturdays, beginning September 7 from 2\u00a0p.m. to 5\u00a0p.m.<\/strong><\/span>
\nCourse offered in English: Sundays, beginning September 8 from 2\u00a0p.m. to 5\u00a0p.m.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Please note:<\/strong> Some major Rigpe Dorje Centre activities may be scheduled on some weekends. In such a case, classes will be rescheduled. Please check our regular monthly calendar to confirm the dates of the classes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Classes are structured, dynamic and participatory. Commitment and assiduous attendance are vital. A list of readings will be assigned.<\/p>\n

Comments from students who have previously taken this course:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an excellent introduction to Buddhism for people like me who are just starting out, the curious, or people who already have some knowledge but want to review the basics and be guided. I particularly appreciated the question periods, the group discussions, your comments on the texts we read\u2026.<\/i><\/p>\n

[Orgyen] has much experience with\u00a0study and practice and has learned both the language and the culture of Tibetan Buddhism.\u00a0By understanding where we are culturally and educationally, he is able to instinctively\u00a0know our potential blind spots, or details we may have\u00a0missed along the way of our practice, whether new or familiar to Buddhism.<\/i><\/p>\n

Program for this 15-week course:
\n\u201cAn in depth introduction to buddhist philosophy\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

1. BUDDHISM:<\/b> FROM ITS ORIGIN TO TODAY<\/p>\n

We will see how Buddhism originated in India, spread over the centuries to the outskirts of Europe, then throughout Asia, before now being accessible throughout the world.<\/p>\n

2. THE THREE YANAS<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cYana\u201d means vehicle<\/i> in English. We will then see how the vehicle of the ancients<\/i> or theravada<\/i>, also called hinayana, leads to nirvana<\/i> and the state of an arhat<\/i>; and how that of the Great vehicle<\/i> or of the Mahayana<\/i> leads to Buddhahood or awakening, enlightenment, which is the state of a Buddha, thanks to the motivation of the mind of awakening<\/i> or bodhicitta<\/i>. It will also be explained why these two vehicles are called vehicles of causality<\/i> or hetuyana<\/i> in relation to the Vajrayana<\/i> or vehicle of the thunderbolt diamond<\/i> in English, which is also called vehicle of the fruit<\/i> or p\u2019alayana<\/i> (phalayana) and how this particular vehicle, thanks to numerous skilful means, can lead to enlightenment in one lifetime.<\/p>\n

3. THE FOUR MAJOR SCHOOLS OF VAJRAYANA<\/b>: THE PLACE OF THE RIGPE DORJE CENTER WITHIN THEM.<\/p>\n

The students will be exposed to the advent of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century CE, through the determination of the Tibetan king Trisong Deutsen, and through the arrival of the Bodhisattva abbot Shantirakshita and the great tantric guru Padmasambhava, both Indians, and to the school which came to bear the name of Nyingma<\/i> or the old translations<\/i>, in relation to the schools which followed the persecution by King Langdarma and which forced first a new invitation then the coming of Indian scholars\u2014such as Atisha and many others\u2014of translators, texts and practices; and how this new advent was therefore called Sarma<\/i> or new translations,<\/i> which then gave rise to the names Nyingma<\/i> and Sarma<\/i> in order to differentiate two distinct major eras in the history of Himalayan Buddhism in Tibet.<\/p>\n

4. REFUGE & BODHICITTA<\/b>; THEIR MEANINGS, IMPORTANCE, REASONS and ADVANTAGES.<\/p>\n

The common point of all the yanas is the taking of refuge in the Three Jewels which are the Buddha<\/i> or the Awakened One, or even the Enlightened One<\/i>; the Dharma<\/i> or its teaching; and the Sangha<\/i> or the community of those who practise the teachings of the Buddha. But in Vajrayana, which is also based on the Mahayanist view of Bodhicitta, taking refuge is not only in the Three Jewels but also in what is called the Three Roots<\/i> which are the guru<\/i> or master; the isthadevata<\/i>, also called deva<\/i> or the chosen divinity; and the dakini<\/i> or the feminine energy principle of awakening. All this will be demystified for the students.<\/p>\n

5. INITIATIONS, ORAL TRANSMISSIONS & INSTRUCTIONS<\/b>: THEIR MEANINGS, IMPORTANCE, REASONS AND BENEFITS.<\/p>\n

To adequately enter the path of Vajrayana the initiation, or more correctly translated as empowerment<\/i>, that is to say, to be empowered<\/i> to actually practise Vajrayana, followed by an oral scriptural transmission, as well as by the instructions which are related to them are necessary. Details of their essential necessities will be presented.<\/p>\n

6. MEDITATION<\/b>: SHAMATHA or MENTAL CALM<\/p>\n

This meditation technique, common to all Buddhist yanas, serves to calm the mental<\/i> agitation (shamatha<\/i>) of the adept in order to eventually see clearly<\/i> (vipashyana<\/i>) through his numerous activities and distractions. It also offers a wide range of variations depending on the yana or level of progression of the adept. Not only will the students enrolled in this course be exposed to it, but they will also have the opportunity to experience this technique hands-on in short meditation sessions throughout the course.<\/p>\n

7. RECITATION OF MANTRAS<\/b>: MEANING, IMPORTANCE, REASONS AND BENEFITS.<\/p>\n

Vajrayana is also known by two other names: Tantrayana<\/i>, because this vehicle is based on texts called tantra<\/i>; then Mantrayana<\/i> because it uses vibratory formulas, often audible sounds, called mantra<\/i>. This course will help remove the veil on this unique feature of Vajrayana Buddhism.<\/p>\n

8. DEDICATION OF MERITS<\/b>: IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE.<\/p>\n

It is customary to offer the merits accumulated during the practices of any follower of Buddhism, but particularly of Mahayana-Vajrayana. Not only the meaning but also the importance of concluding all virtuous activities with a dedication, often accompanied by a verse or prayer of aspiration, will be explained.<\/p>\n

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  • Once this 45-hour course is completed, everyone will be able to know whether this path suits one or not.<\/li>\n
  • Diligent and regular attendance will allow the student to make the most of the content of this course. Diligence and assiduity are THE<\/b> secret to the success of any authentic spiritual endeavour.<\/li>\n
  • For those interested, the teacher will give instructions on how to purchase the suggested books from the E MA HO Bookstore at the Centre.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Deadline for Registration<\/b> is on September 6, 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    The course begins on September 7, 2024 in French and on September 8 in English.<\/p>\n

    The suggested donation<\/b> for this 15 week (45 hours) course is $200 for members\/$225 for non-members. Payment is expected at registration. To encourage diligent participation, a $50 rebate will be given to participants who attend all 15 sessions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Registration<\/b><\/p>\n

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    <\/p>\n