Mahamudra Meditation

Level 1

Course Description

This course is the beginning of an in-depth study of The Ocean of Definitive Meaning, Ngedon Gyamtso, by the ninth Gyalwang Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556–1603). It presents guiding instructions for the practice of calm abiding in the Mahamudra tradition, in a progressive way.

Study and Meditation Level 1: Mahamudra Shamatha and Mind and Its World

Generally speaking, Mahamudra shamatha can be correlated with the pramana view (valid cognition) that is taught in Mind and Its World I&II (Study Level 1). The faculty for these courses help students to see the correlations between Mahamudra shamatha and Study Level 1 topics. It is, therefore, highly beneficial to take Mahamudra shamatha and Mind and Its World together.

MAHAMUDRA SHAMATHA PREREQUISITES

Onsite students:
Mahamudra shamatha is open to all registered students who are attending the Summer Institute onsite. It is recommended that students have some background in the study of dharma and some experience with sitting practice. (No eligibility form is required.)

Online students: You might be eligible for Mahamudra shamatha if:

• you have previously taken Mahamudra shamatha at Nitartha’s Summer Institute (note that if you have already taken two 9-day sessions of Mahamudra shamatha you are also eliglbe for Mahamudra vipashyana-I); or
• you are a Nalandabodhi student who is following the Nalandabodhi Mahamudra shamatha curriculum or has completed it; or
• you have attended a live Mahamudra program in which Mahamudra shamatha was taught and practiced; or
• you have completed a three-year retreat

Online students, please fill out the eligibility form at the bottom of this page (required).

Level 2

Course Description

This course is a continuation of the in-depth study of The Ocean of Definitive Meaning, Ngedon Gyamtso, by the ninth Gyalwang Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556–1603). It presents guiding instructions for the practice of penetrating insight in the Mahamudra tradition, in a progressive way.

Study and Meditation Level 2: Mahamudra Vipashyana-I and Madhyamaka

Mahamudra Vipashyana-I is correlated with the Madhyamaka view (Study Level 2), and is expressed well in a song by the yogi Milarepa:

“Throughout the day and night look at your mind.
When you look at your mind you don’t see anything.
When you don’t see anything let go and relax.”

Study Level 2 and Mahamudra Vipashyana-I faculty help students to see the correlations between these levels of study and practice. It is, therefore, highly beneficial to take these Mahamudra and shedra courses together.

MAHAMUDRA VIPASHYANA-I PREREQUISITES

Online and onsite students: You might be eligible for Mahamudra Vipashyana-I if:

• you have attended a Nitartha Institute Mahamudra shamatha course (two 9-day sessions), and ideally have additional Mahamudra shamatha practice experience; or
• you are a Nalandabodhi member who has completed the Nalandabodhi Mahamudra shamatha curriculum; or
• you have received Mahamudra shamatha and/or vipashyana teachings from other Mahamudra teachers and have practiced Mahamudra shamatha; or
• you have completed a three-year retreat.

Please fill out the eligiblity form at the bottom of this page (required).

Level 3

Course Description

This course is the third course in the series of the in-depth study of The Ocean of Definitive Meaning, Ngedon Gyamtso, by the ninth Gyalwang Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556–1603). It presents further guiding instructions for the practice of penetrating insight in the Mahamudra tradition, in a progressive way.

Study and Meditation Level 3: Buddha Nature and Mahamudra Vipashyana II

Buddha Nature traditions (Study Level 3) primarily teach about the luminosity of mind, which is correlated with continued training in Mahamudra vipashyana meditation. Therefore, it is highly recommended to take Study Level 3 and Mahamudra Vipashyana-II together.

MAHAMUDRA VIPASHYANA-II PREREQUISITES

Online and onsite students: You might be eligible for Mahamudra Vipashyana-II if:

• you have attended a Nitartha Institute Mahamudra vipashyana course (each course consisting of two 9-day sessions), and ideally have additional Mahamudra shamatha and vipashyana practice experience; or
• you have received Mahamudra vipashyana teachings from other teachers, have practiced Mahamudra vipashyana and have covered the topics presented in the Ocean of Definitive Meaning up to “Pointing Out the Nature of Mind Based on Appearances.”

Please fill out the eligiblity form at the bottom of this page (required).

Have you completed Nitartha’s Mahamudra Shamatha, Vipashyana-I and Vipashyana-II courses? If so, this guided and practice-based review during Session 1 may be for you. Key points as presented by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and based on the Ocean of Definitive Meaning are sequentially highlighted and practiced. Stephanie Johnston will lead two sessions each afternoon, which will allow for plenty of practice time and exploration to clarify tricky or vague areas as needed.

This course an excellent way to prepare for Mahamudra Enhancement, which will be taught during Session 2 by Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen.

PREREQUISITES

Online and onsite students: You might be eligible for Key Points of Mahamudra Shamatha and Vipashyana if:

• Completion of Nitartha Institute’s Mahamudra Shamatha, Vipashyana-I and Vipashyana-II courses
• Completion of Nalandabodhi’s Mahamudra Shamatha, Vipashyana-I and Vipashyana-II curricula

Please fill out the eligibIlity form at the bottom of this page (required).

Level 4

Course Description

This course will be taught during Session 2, and is the final course in the series of the in-depth study of The Ocean of Definitive Meaning, Ngedon Gyamtso, by the ninth Gyalwang Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556–1603). It presents concluding topics for enhancing the practice of Mahamudra meditation, including correcting mistaken ideas and removing hindrances on the path.

MAHAMUDRA ENHANCEMENT PREREQUISITES:

Online and Onsite Students: You might be eligible for this course if:

• You are going to take Mahamudra Vipashyana-II this year during Session 1
• You have ever taken Mahamudra Vipashyana-II at the Nitartha Summer Institute
• You are a Nalandabodhi student who has completed the Nalandabodhi Mahamudra Vipashyana curriculum
• You have completed a 3-year retreat

Please fill out the eligibIlity form at the bottom of this page (required).