We continued our study of DCB35-Learning from Buddha on May 2, 2026 finishing Lesson Four: Tantra-Main & Concluding Practices, Assignment 6 and started Lesson Five: Self-Examination and Implementation, Assignment 7. This discussion included the “Twenty Dharmas Relating to Ordinary Feelings,” “Eight Winds,” “repentance.” and the “Dharma to Pass thru Barriers,” and answers to the questions below.
We are almost finished with this course and have scheduled Dorje Pamu’s G36-Dharma that Every Buddhist Must Follow to start on May 23. You should complete the prerequisites of G02 and C01, enroll in this course, and register for the ZOOM link to join us in the Saturday morning group discussions.
The following are brief summaries of our discussion on April 25, 2026 with links to the video of our ZOOM discussion of that class and previous sessions below. The large bold blue quotes are from a preliminary translation of Learning from Buddha by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Please note that in the video of this class we heard the understanding expressed by the various participants, which may or may not be correct. To understand the translation of all the actual quotes from the Buddha Master you need to read the text, which you can download from the curriculum section of DCB35 (Click “PREVIEW”). Also please remember that we are still working with a preliminary and unauthorized translation of the Buddha Master’s teachings so even these “quotes” can only be used for reference.
The discussion focused on Lesson Four-Tantra-Main & Concluding Practices and Lessson Five-Self-Examination and Implementation follows:
What is Dharma, learning Buddha Dharma, practicing Buddha Dharma, and performing Buddha Dharma and what is their foundation?
“. . . Learning Buddha Dharma is learning it with mastery. Practicing Buddha Dharma is training yourself in it. Performing Buddha Dharma is operating it; that is, using it. However, only when you are successful in learning and practicing Buddha Dharma can you use Buddha Dharma. All of these three steps must be established on the foundation of cultivation. As I said earlier, cultivating yourself has become the most important issue.”
What does the Buddha Master suggest that we do in order to learn Buddha Dharma?
“. . . I suggest that all Buddhist disciples select one of the two great Mind Essences from The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation, either The Xiaman Most Excellent Oceanic Mind Essence or The Ultimate Bodhicitta for Attaining Dharma-Nature True-Thusness Oceanic Mind Essence.”
What is it like if you only listen but do not put into practice what you hear?
“. . .it is like trying to scoop up the reflection of the moon on water. Although you have listened to the prior two lessons, listening alone is useless. How would it be useful? You must understand what you heard. After understanding what you heard, you must put what I said into practice accordingly. Only then will it be useful. If you listen to these lessons but do not put them into action, even though you have understood the principles and seen the fact of the matter, you have not actually implemented what you heard in accordance with the Dharma.”
What does “truly learning from Buddha” mean?
“The first lesson was about Cultivation, and the second lesson was about Dharma. Joining together the two lessons of Cultivation and Dharma is truly learning from Buddha and cultivating yourself. You learn from Shakyamuni Buddha, from all Buddhas, how to cultivate yourself so as to end the cycle of birth and death, achieve perfect good fortune and wisdom, and attain accomplishment and liberation.”
Who is this Dharma for?
“The Dharma I am imparting today is about seeking the goal of experiencing beneficial effects through carrying out theories. In other words, to attain the results that should be attained, you must put the theories into practical actions through implementation.”
The Buddha Master also explained that you cannot learn Dharma if your continual conduct is not up to standard, but if it is, you do not need to worry about being able to learn Buddha Dharma or becoming accomplished. He also told us what keeps us from applying the Dharma to our lives, when our practice is phony, and how we put the Dharma teachings into practice.
We will continue discussing DCB35-Learning from Buddha on May 9 at 9:00-11:00 am Pacific Time. You can download a PDF of the text for DCB35 from the “preview” feature in the OVERVIEW of the “Curriculum” without enrolling in the course. If you want to join these Saturday discussions of the Dharma, you will need to both be enrolled in DCB35 and register for the ZOOM session to receive the link for the discussion. Everyone signing up who is enrolled in and attends the class may be given homework questions to discuss. You may also watch the videos of our discussions once you enroll in DCB35.
CLICK for a list of available classes in each of the programs: Auditing, Buddhist Studies, and Xiuxing Seminary. Those with membership in the Xiuxing Seminary Program who are only interested in their own serious practice may also elect to follow the Xiuxing Practice Program and take a seven or thirty-day Solitary Retreat.
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You will need to enroll in DCB35 to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions and register with ZOOM to receive a link to attend the classes.
LINKS TO DATE: C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice including DCB35, DCB21-26, P10 and other related Learning from Buddha Seminary Classes
The recording of the May 2, 2026 DCB35 class is now available. All of the recordings and summary of ZOOM discussions for DCB21, DCB22, DCB23, DCB24, DCB25, and DCB26-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra are also available. You must be enrolled in each of these classes in one of the full membership programs at the LFBS to access the course materials, questions covered (in parenthesis), and/or the class recordings. Please note that these links will only work if you are logged into LFBS with your membership identification number AND are enrolled in this class. CLICK for information on LFBS class P10 or CLICK for Hesperia classes on major concepts or principles contained in the title of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra. The next Hesperia class will be held on May 17, starting at 10:00 am.
May 2, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Tantra-Main & Concluding Practices-Lesson 4D (Questions (152-158) and (HERE) for recording of the class and DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Self-Examination & Implementation-Lesson 5A (Questions (159-166) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 25, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Tantra-Introduction-Lesson 4C (Questions (115-151) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
March 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Tantra-Introduction-Lesson 4B (Questions 90-114) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
March 14, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Tantra-Introduction-Lesson 4A (Questions 73-89) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
March 7, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3C (Questions 56-72) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 28, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3B (Questions 41-55) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Cultivation-Lesson 3A (Questions 27-40) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 21, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Introduction-Lesson 2B (Questions 22-26) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
February 14, 2026: DCB35-Learning from Buddha, Introduction-Lesson 1 (Questions 1-5) and Lesson 2A (Questions 6-21), and (HERE) for recording of the class.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26-How to Realize Prajna on January 24, 2026 and links to videos of all 15 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 from August 9, 2025 to January 24, 2026.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26 in 2024 and links to videos of all 8 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 held from April 20, 2024 to June 22, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB25 and links to all 15 ZOOM class discussions on DCB25 held from April 5, 2025 to August 2, 2025.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB24 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB24 held from January 4, 2025 to March 29, 2025.
January 4, 2025: Roadmap to C41(A)–Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. Video of class discussion.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB23 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB23 held from August 24, 2024 to November 16, 2024,
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB22 and links to videos of all 21 ZOOM class discussions on DCB22 held from February 10, 2024 to April 20, 2024 and from June 29, 2024 to August 3, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB21 and links to videos of all 18 ZOOM class discussions on DCB21 held from November 21, 2022 to April 1, 2023. Note: not all of the forwards, notes, and introductions are complete.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
CLICK for information on S01-Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation (SAUMOL) Seminar.
CLICK for article on April 5, 2026 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 7 & 8: Three Kinds of Prajna-Intrinsic Reality Prajna.
CLICK for article on September 21, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 5 & 6: Three kinds of Prajna-Language Prajna & Contemplative-Illumination Prajna.
CLICK for article on August 17, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 3 & 4: Introduction to Prajna.
CLICK for article on July 20, 2025 class held at Hesperia on Lessons 1 & 2: Background and Introduction to the Heart Sutra and H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
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