BUILDING A ROADMAP FOR THE PATH
March 12: Buddhist Philosophy, part 2.3 (session 1 & 2)
April 30: Buddhist Philosophy, part 2.3 (session 3 & 4)
May 28: Buddhist Philosophy, part 2.3 (session 5 & 6)
Suggested donation: 35 €/40 CHF.- (for the complete module)
Ordained sangha: free
Registration is not conditioned by a donation.
On-line course description
This course is the second module of an ongoing study program. (An outline of all the modules is at the bottom of this page.)
To see where we are, to know where we are going, and to understand how we can get there, it is helpful to study the Buddha's teaching in a systematic way. This structured approach is the origin of the Abhidharma tradition. In this course, we will follow a concise yet comprehensive text by the master Könchog Bang, summarizing the entire process in terms of ground, path and fruition.
On the Wings of Awakening
The entire path to liberation, for both shravakas and bodhisattvas, is subsumed into the 37 factors conducive to awakening, also called the "wings of awakening."
These 37 factors represent the most important practices taught by the Buddha grouped into 7 sets. They include well-known practices like the four close applications of mindfulness and the eightfold noble path, as well as others, such as the four right exertions and the 7 limbs of awakening; all of which are essential for the paths to liberation. In this seminar in 3 parts we will study each of these seven sets, as well as other supplementary practices as presented in the Abhidharma teachings.
This module 2.3. completes the presentation of the Shravaka path, but also stands as an independent course and can be taken without knowledge of the previous modules.
REGISTRATION
You will receive a confirmation email from “Sakya Dharma Family Admin” with the Zoom link to participate (click “Click Here To Join”) on the day of the event. Link is the same for all sessions.
Schedule
10.00 - 11.30 &
14.00 - 15.30
Total: 9 hours
Textbook
Khönchog Bang: Sun Rays Illuminating the Enumerations Summarizing the Common Vehicle
Language: EN
Available translations: FR, IT, DE, NL (Zoom)
Method
6 sessions of 1h30 each = 9 hours
- Powerpoint slides
- PDF readings
- Links to videos and websites
- Quizzes
- Contemplative questions
- Discussion forum
Module 2:
THE PATHS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL OF INFERIOR AND INTERMEDIATE SCOPE
This module has 3 parts: module 2.1, 2.2., 2.3.
MODULE 2.1. - PATH OF INDIVIDUAL OF INTERMEDIATE SCOPE
Day 1 (10.04.2021): The path for the individual of inferior scope
Session 1: View
- Accepting the Buddha as authoritative
- Karma: Conditions & Results
Session 2: Practice
- Precepts: lay follower precepts & one-day precepts
- 10 unwholesome actions
- 10 wholesome actions
Day 2 (08.05.2021): The path for the individual of intermediate scope (Shravakayana)
Session 1: View
- no-self of the individual
- knowing suffering to be the nature of samsara
Session 2: Practice, the three trainings
- Discipline
- Meditative concentration
Day 3 (05.06.2021): The path for the individual of intermediate scope (continued)
Session 1: Practice (three trainings continued)
- Wisdom: Four Noble Truths
Truth of Suffering: The outer world system
Session 2: Practice (three trainings continued)
Truth of Suffering: The different types of beings living in the world
MODULE 2.2 – PATH OF INDIVIDUAL OF INTERMEDIATE SCOPE (CONTINUED)
DAY 1: 23.10.2021
The truth of the origin
Characteristics: four aspects of the origin of suffering
Nature: afflictions and karma
Day 2: 20.11.2021
The truth of cessation
Characteristics: four aspects of the cessation of suffering
The nature of cessation
The truth of the path
a. Characteristics: four aspects of the path
b. Divisions of the path: paths conducive to liberation
Day 3: 4.12.2021 (ONLY MORNING SESSION)
The truth of the path (continued)
b. Divisions of the path:
- review of the paths of accumulation, joining, and seeing
- paths of cultivation and no further training
c. Levels of the shravaka path
(d. Practice: the 37 factors conducive to awakening – subject of MODULE 2.3)
Day 4: 22.1.2022
e. What is being eliminated
f. Individuals on the path
g. Notions
MODULE 2.3: ONE THE WINGS OF AWAKENING
(NOTE: this module completes the presentation of the shravaka path, but also stands as an independent course and can be taken without knowledge of the previous modules.)
DAY 1: 12.3.2022
The 37 factors conducive to awakening (part 1)
- Four close applications of mindfulness
- Four right exertions
- Four causes of miraculous power
DAY 2: 30.4.2022
The 37 factors conducive to awakening (part 2)
- Five faculties
- Five powers
- Seven limbs of awakening
- Eightfold ārya path
DAY 3: 28.5.2022
Further practices: 5 types of meditative attainments
- Three doors of liberation
- Nine successive meditative attainments
- Eight liberations
- Ten totalities
- Eight masteries of perception
COMPLETE ROADMAP OVERVIEW
Module 1:
1. Introduction – the traditions of Buddhist thought and practice
2. Samsara: the ground to be relinquished
The nature of samsara
The eighteen elements
The twelve sense bases
The five skandhas
How samsara comes to be: the 12 links
3. Buddha nature: the ground that is not to be relinquished
Module 2: The paths for the individual of inferior and intermediate scope
The path for the individual of inferior scope: view and practice
The path for the individual of intermediate scope (Shravakayana)
View
Three Trainings
Four Noble Truths
Module 3: The path for the individual of great scope (Mahayana)
View
Bodhicitta
Practice of Bodhicitta
Conduct
Module 4: FRUITION OF THE PATH
Temporary results
Ultimate results
Kayas
Qualities
Wisdoms
Activities
Christian Bernert
has been studying and practicing Buddhism under the guidance of Khenchen Amipa Rinpoche since 1999. Since 2001 he studied Buddhist philosophy and practice at the annual summer programs of the International Buddhist Academy (IBA) in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 2009 he graduated from the University of Vienna where he studied Religion, Tibetology and Buddhist Studies. From 2009 to 2013 Christian acted as the program coordinator for the translator training at IBA. In 2010, he established the Chödung Karmo Translation Group together with Khenpo Ngawang Jorden and Lama Rinchen Gyaltsen, with the aim of translating important texts of the Sakya tradition. Another project Christian holds dear is the Bodhisvara website, launched together with Prof. Kashinath in 2015. The aim of Bodhisvara is to uphold the tradition of the recitation of important Buddhist works in Sanskrit.
Christian moved to Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2015, where he continues to work on translations and other Dharma projects in cooperation with the International Buddhist Academy in Nepal and under the auspices of the Khenchen Appey Foundation. He regularly teaches Tibetan language, Buddhist theory and practice, and continues to study and practice under the guidance of his teachers, mainly form the Sakya tradition.
Translations (English and German):
2017 Rongtön Sheja Künrig. Adorning Maitreya’s Intent. Arriving at the View of Nonduality: a commentary on the Madhyāntavibhāga, Distinguishing the Middle from the Extremes. Boulder: Shambhala Publications
2017 Befreiung von den Vier Anhaftungen:Tiefgründige Geistesschulung in der Tradition des Bodhisattva Manjushri. Bad Gams: Sakya Tsechen Changchub Ling
2014 Khenchen Appey Rinpoche. Cultivating a Heart of Wisdom. Oral Instructions on the Mind Training in Seven Points. Kathmandu: Vajra Books Publications.
2014 The Ākāśagarbha Sūtra, 84000 (www.84000.co), in cooperation with Julia Stenzel.
2013 The Sūtra on Impermanence, 84000 (www.84000.co).
2011 The Sūtra on Reliance upon a Spiritual Friend. 84000 (www.84000.co).
Other publications:
2016 A brief introduction to Buddhism and the Sakya tradition. Kathmandu: International Buddhist Academy.
2016 The Meditator’s Nest Vol. 2, A Mahayana Meditation Manual. Kathmandu: Vajra Publications.
2013 For the love of the world - Why being vegetarian makes so much more sense. In: The Times of Lowo, Vol. 2, 53-58.
E-publications:
2016 Lojong - The Mind Training App (iOS/Android)
2015 Bodhisvara, Resounding Sanskrit Buddhist Literature, www.bodhisvara.com
2010 Chödung Karmo Translation Group, www.chodungkarmo.org
