Thank you for joining us on this powerful inner journey to learn and embody the way of the Bodhisattva.
A Bodhisattva is one who awakens, not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of others. The Mahāyāna (Great Vehicle) teachings emphasize the cultivation of compassion and wisdom as a way to walk the path with intelligence and care. We will explore the key historical developments that took place during this great period of development in Buddhist thought, such as the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras, Madhyamaka and Yogācāra philosophies, the concept of Buddha Nature, and the greater emphasis on compassionate motivation. Meditations on the Four Immeasurables, including Tonglen, and Prajñāpāramitā (Transcendent Wisdom) will also be taught.
May it benefit you and all beings!
Overview
This 8-week online course will consist of a balance of lectures, discussion, study and practice so that the teachings can become integrated into your body, mind and spirit. You should find everything you need to orient yourself on this page. Please read through to the bottom so that you don’t miss anything.
Note: The course technically begins with the “Downloads” Section. Begin with that page and be sure to mark it “complete” (red button at the bottom of the page) or you will not be allowed to proceed to the next section.
Weekly Lessons:
- Two-hour lecture/webcast – Saturdays with Lopӧn Chandra
Weekly Meditation Practice (in person attendance required) – choose one of the following
- Wednesdays 5 pm to 7 pm Pacific Time with Assistant Teacher Ven. Dr. Myodo Jabo
- Dates: Aug. 12, 19, 26, Sept. 2 – Break – Sept 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7
- Zoom Link – Same as above
- Thursdays 10 am to 12 pm Pacific Time with Lopӧn Chandra
- Dates: Aug. 13, 20, 27, Sept. 3 – Break – Sept 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8
- Zoom Link – same as above
Exam: An optional oral exam will be given at the end of the retreat to those who wish to use the course to toward fulfilling a requirement in one of Tara Mandala’s long-term programs.
- Register Here
Getting Started
Structure of the Site: To navigate the weekly modules, scroll down to the ‘Course Content’ table below and select your desired week as they become available. Please remember to click the “mark as complete” text at the bottom of each page or you will not be given access to the following topic or week. You are free to return to any topic, at any time.
Downloads: All worksheets or audio files will be available as downloads, in the week where they are introduced and will be added week by week to the “Downloads” section as well.
Discussion Forum: At the bottom of every weekly overview page, you will find a “Comments” section where our teachers will post questions to help deepen your reflections. You can also use the space to ask questions and share your experience of that week’s lesson. This section is where we can create a sense of community, connection and deepen our learning.
Please jump in by sharing your intention for this course below!
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Hi Catherine, Carmen and all. Here is a poem I found that resonated with me. I thought I would offer it to you all. With love and respect, Krista
SINGULARITY
by Marie Howe
(after Stephen Hawking)
Do you sometimes want to wake up to the singularity
we once were?
so compact nobody
needed a bed, or food or money —
nobody hiding in the school bathroom
or home alone
pulling open the drawer
where the pills are kept.
For every atom belonging to me as good
Belongs to you. Remember?
There was no Nature. No
them. No tests
to determine if the elephant
grieves her calf or if
the coral reef feels pain. Trashed
oceans don’t speak English or Farsi or French;
would that we could wake up to what we were
— when we were ocean and before that
to when sky was earth, and animal was energy, and rock was
liquid and stars were space and space was not
at all — nothing
before we came to believe humans were so important
before this awful loneliness.
Can molecules recall it?
what once was? before anything happened?
No I, no We, no one. No was
No verb no noun
only a tiny tiny dot brimming with
is is is is is
All everything home
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Carmen, that was a gorgeous poem. I felt it. Here is something inspired by our practice this Wednesday night and the Rocky Mountains.
Sit with soul
Turquoise water and intoxicating bright yellow sun
Deeply engraved twisted rocky river structures
Creepy guy who won’t leave me alone, who’s stares make me cringe with disgust, reminding me it still isn’t safe for women to walk alone many places
Grey spike castle mountain that beckons a salute
Sand hoodoos that remind of the mystery of ancient times
Alone in an amphitheater with butterflies as the play
Grace in the voice on the telephone who has an incredible story to tell
Pages of a book flip on the deep responsibility we all have
Becoming aware of the varied fields we play in
What we see, feel, smell, taste, hear, and think we become in that moment.
Choose your perspective on the tempting mountain highs, the tough mid points, and tender valleys
I sit. I sit with soul.
(((Pause)))
I did not see a forum at the bottom of this week’s page. Here is a doha I wrote.
Generosity
Kind to offer a meal that took so long to arrive
Nourishing to perceive the hands providing
Witnessing such a gift like spring water that revives
Sharing feasts of care endless and abiding
Vulnerable as I am seen by you without screen
This is something tender that needs protection
And you kept my heart safe by promise and listening
Shared moment of peaceful breath is perfection
Without fear in moments there flowed energy between
Wishing to water your hidden seeds in love
If ever you have felt loved less, grief, lonely, or pain
I’ll be here to hold you as you let go of
Let me be your mirror, an avatar relaying your light
Can you see your true nature just like I do?
I’ll remind you with words by day and silence at night
‘Til we all realize that truly I am you
I’ve been searching for the “discussion forum”. Is this it? If not, where can I find it? Thanks for any clarification!
This is it Ahmee… we are exploring forums… but for now, it’s here. There will be one at the bottom of each weekly overview page.
Lopon Chandra will generally give some questions for reflections each week.
I am using the opportunity of the age of Covid to deepen my understanding and practice of the principles compassion and loving kindness. I believe that the practice of Loving Kindness is the essential practice to become for a Bodhi Sattva and I truly wish to become one, in order to bring enlightenment to the whole world.
My intention for this course is to absolutely saturate myself with these teachings. To learn and experience so I can be of benefit to myself and others to the most of my ability. These teachings have such a beautiful, powerful effect on me and are now my whole life. Thank you with my whole being for making these available to everyone.
My intention with my course is to deepen my vows to be a bodhisattva in this life to benefit myself and every other living being! I so wish to help and be that light for my family and everyone really. ❤️ Teri
My intention in this class is to practice and cultivate a heart-felt connection with all beings constantly in this life. I work alone a lot, from home, but a bit distanced from my husband and kids. When I walk in the house, no matter what is happening, I don’t want to feel slammed and overwhelmed, I want to feel embracing warmth and bring that with me wherever I go, even during this pandemic and its many challenges, even if a child is crying and angry over their homework and a dog just pooped in the house; and at work with others, even when there is danger or obstacles to growth or failures; and in the community as we nurture justice, compassion, and understanding and when things don’t go our way. Whatever happens, we can calmly embrace it with love and acceptance and just do what needs to be done. I want to be that consistently with compassion for myself and others; and as I’m getting older I want to model that more and more for others to help nurture a family and community built on love and kindness that lives well into the future, long after I’m gone and forgotten.
I have taken (and LOVED) the class on the foundational teachings (“Sutrayana” or “Walking the buddha’s Path”) with Polly, and the Vajrayana class with Lopon Charlotte. I look forward to filling in the time period that comes between those two. Although we need to go beyond academic learning, a basic understanding of the history and philosophy of Buddhism seems to me to be a very useful tool, and I am super-psyched to be able to study this piece of it with Lopon Chandra. Emptiness and compassion have been cornerstones of my adult life, but I mess up all the time – with compassion for others, and especially with compassion for myself. So my goal is to learn to be more selfish. (I can’t believe I said that in a Buddhist class!)
My intention for the course is to understand how to practice being more compassionate with myself and others. I am the happiest and most at ease when I can really have compassion for myself and that opens my heart to be more available to everything else.
My intention is to open my heart to compassion and cultivate wisdom. To empathize with those who are suffering and reduce suffering. To better understand and learn the Mahayana teachings. Thank you for this opportunity to do so.
Welcome Keelin! Happy to have you with us.
So happy that this is being offered. Thank you. My intention is to learn the methods to be able to truly and completely help others and myself at the same time, especially now with chaos seemingly on the rise. And to get a better grasp on the initial Mahayana way of practice. Also very excited to delve into the reading list.❤️😄
I am thankful for the opportunity to deepen my commitment to Buddhism by learning more about the Bodhisattva path. I look forward to studying and practicing with fellow sangha members, and to hopefully bringing the teachings into my life in increasing ways.🙏
Welcome Linda! May it be so.
My intention for this course is to improve how I react and interact with others. The Buddhist teachings seem to imply that an ‘other’ does not really exist and so it should be intuitive to maintain compassion and freedom from divisive thoughts but, I catch myself slipping all the time. I believe that the Path can help me grow into an expansive being. Cultivating compassion and wisdom then, are my intentions.
Welcome Michael!