This course is the third and final in a three-part series exploring the lojong or mind training practice of Mahayana Buddhism, as presented in the Indo-Tibetan tradition. It is a path of putting others before oneself. Bodhichitta, awakened heart, is a quality we all possess innately. It has two aspects:
- absolute bodhichitta, the fundamental principle of awakened heart/mind as it exists in us, regardless of immediate circumstances; and
- relative bodhichitta, a quality of our mental state and actions that arises in the moment.
The first we come to understand through contemplative practice; the second we cultivate in our interactions in the world. Part I of this course covered the slogans associated with Points 1 and 2 of the seven points, with emphasis on absolute bodhichitta, in slogans 2-6. Part II focused on the relative bodhichitta slogans in Points 3, 4, and 5, beginning with the practice of tonglen, sending and taking, and proceeding forward unpacking the slogans associated with the paramitas of patience, exertion, and meditation.
In Part III, we will go through one-by-one the slogans in Points 6 & 7, associated with prajna and postmeditation, devoting 3 classes to prajna and 3 to postmeditation—finishing the text.
Prior to each class please read, at least once, the commentary on the slogans covered in the class.
Syllabus for Part Three
Class 1 Prajnaparamita-I
May 2, 2021, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Eastern time
Slogans 23 to 27
Class 2 Prajnaparamita-II
May 9, 2021, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Eastern time
Slogans 28 to 32
Class 3 Prajnaparamita-III
May 16, 2021, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Eastern time
Slogans 33 to 38
Class 4 Postmeditation-I
May 23, 2021, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Eastern time
Slogans 39 to 44
Class 5 Postmeditation-II
May 30, 2021, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Eastern time
Slogans 45 to 51
Class 6 Postmeditation-III
June 6, 2021, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Eastern time
Slogans 52 to 59!
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