On January 20 we finished our discussion of the paramitas and other Bodhisattva practices part of Lesson 5 of C41(A)-The Three Principal Stages and Paths of Buddhist Practice.
After summarizing the six paramitas and what character flaws or harmful obstruction each of the paramitas overcome (questions #313 and #314), we explored the four methods used to bring people to the Buddha Dharma (#315). We closed this lesson with a discussion of the methods offered by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and Je Tsongkhapa in developing bodhichitta to become a Bodhisattva and the usefulness of looking at their methods together. Several of the participants stated that they realized that both Buddhas taught in a down to earth practical way and placed great emphasis on actual practice and not just the theory of practice.
Picking up the last two paramis– concentration or meditation (“TA”) and supreme pure wisdom (“PRAJNA”) we started the next lesson–Lesson 6A, part of the Wisdom Path of the Right View of Emptiness, revisiting those parts of DCB21-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-Introduction and Title. Most of the class was devoted to dhyana(ta) and why the Buddha Master wanted a separate discussion of “ta” from the rest of the more common term “Parami-ta”. He told us how this is a common mistake that has crept into the teachings on the Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra and how important it was to balance the practice of prajna and dhyana(ta). Because of this we spent most of this class on what the Buddha Master wrote about dhyana(ta) practice. This included a very useful description of the five levels of nirvana: plain, pure, with reliance, without remaining reliance, and the Great Nirvana of No Abiding of a Buddha. These are the steps or states relating to seeing prajna and one’s original nature–the different levels of dhyana and wisdom. The stories of Lu Dongbin, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan or Zen Master Huineng, and the interactions of Master Huike and Patriarch Bodhidharma were also shared as examples of the principles taught.
We decided not to do another class on the section on “prajna”, but to refer back to course DCB21-Lessons 3, 4, & 5 taught early last year. You should review those zoom sessions recordings to gain an understanding of the three types of prajna.
We also discussed the various views of emptiness held by the ancient Indian Masters and will continue our investigation as to which of the schools hold the highest, most correct dharma at our next class on February 3 at 9:00 am Pacific Time, looking at the principles and concepts held in the Middle Way, Other Emptiness, and Consciousness-Only Schools. We will also consider what our attitude should be toward the different schools.
Those of you enrolled in either the Buddhist Studies or the Xiuxing Seminary Programs may review the related discussion sessions held on DCB21 or you may attend the classes I will give at Hua Zang Si on January 27 and 28, 2024 in San Francisco. You really need to be able to understand the concepts and principles established in DCB21 where the Buddha Master explains all the terms in the title of The Prajna Parami-ta Heart Sutra to be able to fully understand the text of the sutra itself that we will study in Lesson 6 as DCB22-25 starting next month.
C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice
The recording of the January 20 class is now available. You must be enrolled in C41 in one of the membership programs at the LFBCS 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 LFBCS with your membership ID AND are enrolled in this class.
January 20, 2024: Lesson 6A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-Prajna & Dhyana(Ta), (317-354) and HERE for recording of class.
January 20, 2024: Lesson 5K-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta (313-316) and HERE for recording of class.
January 13, 2024: Lesson 6–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and HERE for recording of class. This discussion should belong in the next lesson when we study “TA” or dhyana and will be revisited then, but our early discussion is recorded here. Please note that the numbering of the questions will not match anything and that the audio of this recording will be incorporated into Lesson 6A above.
January 13, 2024: Lesson 5J-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta, Paramitas (298-312) and HERE for recording of class.
January 6, 2024: Lesson 5I-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta, (277-297) and HERE for recording of class.
December 30, 2023: Lesson 5H-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta, SAUMOL & Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra (267-276) and HERE for recording of class.
December 16, 2023: Lesson 5G-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta, SAUMOL (258-266) and HERE for recording of class.
December 9, 2023: Lesson 5F-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta, SAUMOL (236-257) and HERE for recording of class.
December 2, 2023: Lesson 5E-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta, SAUMOL (223-235) and HERE for recording of class.
November 18, 2023: Lesson 5D-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta, SAUMOL (199-202 & 203-222) and HERE for recording of class.
November 4, 2023: Lesson 5C-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta (189-198) and HERE for recording of class.
October 28, 2023: Lesson 5B-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta (173-188) and HERE for recording of class.
September 23, 2023: Lesson 5A-The Great Stage–Method Path of Bodhichitta (155-172) and HERE for recording of class.
July 15, 2023: Lesson 4E-Intermediate Stage–The Path of Renunciation (142-154) and HERE for recording of class.
June 24, 2023: Lesson 4D-Intermediate Stage–The Path of Renunciation (110-141) and HERE for recording of class.
June 17, 2023: Lesson 4C-Intermediate Stage–The Path of Renunciation (90-109) and HERE for recording of class.
June 10, 2023: Lesson 4B-Intermediate Stage–The Path of Renunciation (84-89) and HERE for recording of class.
May 27, 2023: Lesson 4A-Intermediate Stage–The Path of Renunciation (63-83) and HERE for recording of class.
May 20, 2023: Lesson 3B -Initial Stage (60-62) and HERE for recording of class.
May 13, 2023: Lesson 3A -Initial Stage (39-59) and HERE for recording of class.
May 6, 2023: Lesson 2-Preliminaries (14-38) and HERE for recording of that class.
April 29, 2023: Lesson 1-Introduction to Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice (1-13) and HERE for recording of that class.
Description of C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice at LFBCS.
CLICK for video “How Buddhism Came to the West.”
ARTICLE with more information and links on how to join course including updated chart of course content. Lessons 6 &7 are still under construction.
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