The Heart of Wakefulness
A Profound Treasury Series Intermediate Course
September 13th – December 13th, 2023 (11 classes)
Wednesdays: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Meets online by Zoom
Suggested offering: $180*
Intermediate Course
*We are committed to making our programs affordable to all. Those with limited income, students, and those under 30 may register for our programs at the $10 rate. Should you have any questions, please contact us at westchestermeditationcenter@gmail.com.
An in-depth exploration of the two most important features of mahayana buddhism—the discovery of buddha nature within and the ensuing cultivation of bodhicitta, the aspiration to bring all sentient beings to Buddhahood.
Trungpa Rinpoche presents a completely unique, deeply personal, and surprisingly practical explanation of buddha nature and bodhicitta--the two most important aspects of the Mahayana path and its practice--in the first third of the second volume of his Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma. This second volume of his classic trilogy on the three yanas of Tibetan Buddhism is a superb presentation of Mahayana Buddhism, masterfully organized by its editor, Judith Lief, according to the structure of Gampopa’s classic text, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation.
In this course, we will start with three review classes on the first volume of the trilogy, which presents the Hinayana: the fundamental view of Buddhism and right conduct which together serve as the foundation for everything that follows; the path of shamatha and vipashyana meditation; and the result--the wisdom of egolessness--along with a description of the stages of accomplishment and realization.
Then we will dive into the deeply inspiring and profound material in the second volume. First, the ground breaking discovery of buddha nature, its various aspects and qualities, and how it serves as the foundation for the entire Mahayana path. Second, how one can prepare to put to fully engage in the Mahayana path by refining our experience of Shamatha and Vipashyana and cultivating the four immeasurable attitudes. Then how that evolves into the cultivation of bodhicitta, the single most important feature of mahayana Buddhism. Bodhicitta, the awakened heart, is the aspiration to achieve enlightenment so that we can become as capable as possible to help others assuage their suffering. And finally, how to become a true bodhisattva, one who embodies bodhicitta in action, actually engage fully in all aspects of the path, as well as the process of taking the bodhisattva’s vow. Altogether one then understands the significance of the description of Mahayana as the yana of profound wisdom and vast compassionate activity.
Each class consists of group meditation practice followed by a presentation on the assigned reading and a group discussion. This course is part one of a three part series to fully explore all of the second volume of the profound treasury; part two will focus on emptiness and the six paramitas and part three on Lojong: the mind training slogans of Atisha. To participate, please obtain a copy of the text: The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume Two: The Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion by Chogyam Trungpa. All classes are recorded for those who miss the class or want to review it again. Please contact us if you have any questions: westchestermeditationcenter@gmail.com.
“Bodhicitta is the sovereign remedy that perfectly allays all maladies. It is the tree that gives relief tothose who wander wearily the pathways of existence. It is the universal bridge that saves all wanderingbeings from the states of loss, the rising moon of the enlightened mind that soothes the sorrows bornof the afflictions. It is the mighty sun that utterly dispels the misty ignorance of wandering beings, thecreamy butter, rich and full, that’s churned from milk of holy teaching.” — Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva
