Tibetan Buddhism Syllabus

Welcome to this course. Together we will examine many facets of Tibetan Buddhism. Along the way we will explore the practice of meditation. If you have never meditated before, this will be a new experience for you, and I want to provide you with support during this process. Please feel free to email me with questions or problems as they arise.

Click here for a Printable version of this Syllabus

 

The course is intended for anyone who is interested in learning information about Tibetan Buddhism and beginning or expanding a practice of meditation. You must also be willing to participate in discussions with your classmates about your thoughts and experiences.

Each week you will be expected to:

• Log on to the course at least twice to listen to the 10 minute podcasts that contain the meditation for the week and the instructions and guidance for the meditation
• Read the content that is posted on the web for that week
• Explore the book or books that I have assigned, either skim or read them, as you prefer
• Write a brief reaction paper, no more than 2-4 pages, discussing your reactions to the readings, podcasts or mediations. Feel free to make whatever connections are significant for you
• Set aside a time each day to practice your meditation
• Write a response to the discussion question that is posted in the discussion area, and respond to the postings of at least 2 of your classmates

 

 

Week one:

• Life of the Buddha/ First half of life
  • Prince Siddhartha begins his journey
  • Austerity and renunciation
  • Under the Bohdi tree
  • Defeating the Mara’s
  • Enlightenment
  • Meditation: Four thoughts that turn the mind and breathing
  • Assigned book: What makes you not a Buddhist? By Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

• During this section you will:

  Learn about the early life of the Buddha

  Practice the proper posture for meditation

  Practice meditation breathing

  Perform the first mediation

  Define the four noble truths

  Define the term Bodhisattva

 

After Enlightenment/ Buddha teaches

• The four noble truths
• The four seals
• Meditation: Mindfulness
• Assigned book: What makes you not a Buddhist? By Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

Week two:

Mahayana Buddhism

Bodhisattva and the practice of compassion

The four immeasurables

Meditation: Calm Abiding

Assigned book: Wake up to your Life By Ken McLeod

The heart sutra, teachings on the nature of emptiness

The nature of emptiness

The awakening mind

Meditation: Taking and Sending

Assigned book: Wake up to your Life By Ken McLeod

Week three:

Vajrayana Buddhism

Yiddam or Deity practice

Mantra

Chenrezig meditation

Reference text: Chenrezig Lord of Love by Bokar Rinpoche

Assigned Text: Cinema Nirvana by Dean Sluyter

Vajrayana Buddhism part 2

Creation and completion

Practice in daily life

Tara meditation

Reference text: Tara, The Feminine Divine by Bokar Rinpoche

Assigned Text: Cinema Nirvana by Dean Sluyter

Week four:

Tibetan culture and Buddhist practice part 1

Buddhism enters Tibet

Development of the four lineages in Tibet

Shrines and sacred space

Meditation: set up a sacred space for meditation

Assigned Reading: The Crystal and the Way of Light by Namkhai Norbu

Tibetan culture and Buddhist practice part 1

Great practitioners

Milarepa

Machig

Role of the Guru

Meditation: On Insight and Dismantling Illusion

Daily Meditation

Daily meditation has the power to build a better life for you, awaken the fire within your spirit and help you to achieve your highest purpose.  It is very important that you devote at least 10 minutes each day to your practice of meditation to get the greatest benefit from this course.

This course is designed by Alexis Alexander and Lama Dawa Gail Lorien, March 2007