Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum: Vajrayana

Nalandabodhi Study Curriculum:

Vajrayana (VAJ 401–404)

Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 pm MT, beginning September 8th

Hosted by Nalandabodhi Colorado (hybrid: live and on Zoom)

The Vajrayana curriculum is the culmination of Nalandabodhi’s Path of Study. It offers a wide- ranging overview of Tibet’s tantric lineages, the power of symbolism and pure view, and the entire progression of the Vajrayana path, from the preliminaries through empowerment, the generation and completion stages, Mahamudra and Dzogchen.

All four courses of the Vajrayana curriculum (VAJ 401–404) will be offered in sequence, beginning September 8, 2021 (just after Labor Day) and continuing through May 4, 2022.

The cost is $60 per course, or $240 for all four courses.  Recordings will be available but do not share them with others who not registered for the class.

Taught by Karunika Dan Hirshberg, PhD with occasional special guests, the course is extended to allow more time for historical context, detailed commentary, and discussion.

The Vajrayana is treated as an independent division of studies. Participants must meet the following prerequisites:
1. Completion of all preceding Nalandabodhi study courses
2. Full membership in Nalandabodhi
3. Be a personal student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
4. At least started Ngondro Track A or B (newer prereq: not listed in VAJ binder)

The sourcebook for the courses is available through the Nalanda Store.  You will be asked for the name of your practice instructor in order to purchase the sourcebook.

https://www.nalandastore.com/searchresults.asp?cat=1839

If you have questions, contact Steve Burden at sherablt@gmail.com.  Scroll down to register for the first course.

Syllabus:

VAJ 401 The Eight Practice Lineages of the Dharma of Symbols ($60)
Wednesday, September 8:
I.1.1 Understanding the Dharma of Symbols (9–19)

Wednesday, September 15:
I.1.2 The Nyingma Lineage (19–27)

Wednesday, September 22:
I.2 The Kagyu Lineages (29–45)

Wednesday, September 29:
I.3 Sakya, Kadam, Geluk, and Other Lineages (47–68)

VAJ 402 Glimpses of Pure Vision ($60)
Wednesday, October 6:
II.1 The Teacher-Student Relationship (7–22)

Wednesday, October 13:
II.1.2 Sacred Outlook and the Mandala Principle (22–32)

Wednesday, October 20:
II.2.1 Buddha-nature, -Families, and -Kayas (35–40)

Wednesday, October 27:
II.2.2 Abhisheka and Samaya (40–57)

Wednesday, November 3: NO CLASS

Wednesday, November 10:
II.3.1 The Four Common Preliminaries, and Uncommon Refuge and Bodhicitta (59–67)

Wednesday, November 17:
II.3.2 Vajrasattva, Mandala, Guru Yoga (67–73)

Wednesday, November 24: NO CLASS

Wednesday, December 1:
II.4 Four Tantra Classes, Creation and Completion Stages (75–89)

Wednesday, December 8:
II.5 Six Dharmas of Naropa (91–107)

VAJ 403 Mahamudra ($60)
Wednesday, December 15:
III.1 Mahamudra as Pinnacle (9–20)

Wednesday, December 22:
III.2 Lineage and Sutra Mahamudra (21–38)

Winter Break

Wednesday, January 12:
III.3 Ground Mahamudra (39–58)

Wednesday, January 19:
III.4.1 Path Mahamudra (59–73)

Wednesday, January 26:
III.4.2 Four Yogas and Fruition Mahamudra (73–82)

Wednesday, February 2:
III.5 Tantra Mahamudra and Essence Mahamudra (83–102)

Wednesday, February 9:
III.6.1 Mahamudra in Four Letters: Heart Essence (103–109)

Wednesday, February 16:
III.6.2 Mahamudra in Four Letters: First Letter (110–22)

Wednesday, February23
III.7.1 Mahamudra in Four Letters: Second Letter (103–122)

Wednesday, March 2:
III.7.2 Mahamudra in Four Letters: Third Letter (123–31)

Wednesday, March 9:
III.7.3 Mahamudra in Four Letters: Fourth Letter (131–41)

VAJ 404 Dzogchen: Pure Awareness in its Natural Glow ($60)
Wednesday, March 16:

IV.1 Nine Yanas (7–21)

Wednesday, March 23: NO CLASS

Wednesday, March 30:
IV.2.1 Atiyoga: Mind Section (23–33)

Wednesday, April 6:
IV.2.2 Atiyoga: Expanse and Pith-Instruction Sections (34–45)

Wednesday, April 13:
IV.3.1 Three Words in View, Meditation, and Conduct (47–58)

Wednesday, April 20:
IV.3.2 Three Words: First Vital Point (58–73)

Wednesday, April 27:
IV.4.1 Three Words: Second and Third Vital Points (75–91)

Wednesday, May 4:
IV.4.1 Three Words: Concluding Summary (91–97)