SHEDRA COURSES

Level 1

Mind & Its World I with Clear Thinking
(with consecutive Chinese translation)

TEACHER

ALISON MCKEE

This level encompasses three main topics: valid cognition, modes of engagement, and Clear Thinking.

Mind & Its World I: Valid Cognition (BUD 501)
This course explores the criteria of valid cognition (pramana) based on the teachings of the pramana tradition, or Buddhist epistemology. We will analyze our consciousness and determine to what degree, if at all, it is in agreement with its observed object. We will also look at the difference between non-mistaken, non-deceiving, conceptual and non-conceptual types of awareness. On a practical level, this course will also provide you with the tools for distinguishing between conceptual and nonconceptual types of mind in your meditation practice.

Clear Thinking (BUD 502)

Clear Thinking helps us to clarify and deepen our understanding of knowable objects through learning methods for thinking clearly. This is developed by formulating definitions, examples, equivalents and classifications, and by exploring the four types of logical relationships between two phenomena.

Mahamudra Shamatha and Valid Cognition

Generally speaking, Mahamudra shamatha can be correlated with the pramana view of the classifications of mind, and especially with the essential modes of engagement of mind. Shedra level 1 and Mahamudra shamatha teachers help participants to see these correlations. It is, therefore, highly beneficial to take these Mahamudra and shedra courses together.

Level 2

Madhyamaka Philosophical Tradition: Not Even a Middle

DR. PHIL STANLEY

ISRAEL LIFSHITZ

This course is an exposition of the Middle Way philosophical tradition based on Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thaye’s presentation of Madhyamaka in his Treasury of Knowledge root text. Participants explore the presentation of the two realities and cultivate certainty in the view of the emptiness of all phenomena by examining the five great Madhyamaka reasonings, which are set forth in terms of the commonalities and differences between the Consequentialist and Autonomist systems. The course is completed by the exposition of the basis, path and result of Madhyamaka.

Prerequisites: Mind & Its World I and II (BUD 501 and 510) are required. Mind & Its World III and IV and Clear Thinking (BUD 520 and 530) are recommended.

Mahamudra Vipashyana-I and Madhyamaka

Mahamudra Vipashyana-I is correlated with the Madhyamaka view, as is expressed well in this 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.”

Shedra level 2 and Mahamudra Vipashyana-I teachers help participants to see the correlations between these levels of study and practice. It is, therefore, highly beneficial to take these Mahamudra and shedra courses together.

Level 3

TEACHERS

SUSAN STEWART

FRANCIS SULLIVAN

Buddha Nature: Luminous Heart of the Tathagata (BUD 630)
The teachings on Buddha Nature present an overview of the Tathagatagarbha, or Buddha Nature tradition, which is the view of the luminous essence of awakening, the heart of goodness shared by all beings. Our exploration will rely on the key section of the Uttaratantra of Maitreya (ca. 4th century), which establishes Buddha Nature through the three reasonings, its ten facets, nine analogies and five reasons why it needs to be taught.

Prerequisites: Mind & Its World I and II (BUD 501 and 510) and Madhyamaka (BUD 610) are required. Mind & Its World III and IV (BUD 520 and 530) are recommended.

Mahamudra Vipashyana II and Buddha Nature

The Buddha Nature tradition primarily teaches about the luminosity of mind, which is correlated with continued training in Mahamudra vipashyana meditation. Therefore, it is highly recommended to take Shedra Level 3 and Mahamudra Vipashyana-II together.

Mind and Its World III

TEACHERS

ARNE SCHELLING

CHRISTIAN SCOTT

Mind & Its World III:  

This course is an exposition view of foundational Buddhism from the Vaibhāṣika and Sautrāntika philosophical traditions, based on the The Gateway that Reveals the Philosophical Traditions to Fresh Minds root text. Students explore foundational classifications of knowable objects: the five bases, five aggregates, twelve sources, eighteen constituents, and the presentation of causation from the Vaibhāṣika philosophical system followed by the Sautrantika presentation classifying all knowable objects into specifically and generally characterized phenomena, based on our experience and then a comparison of the two views.

Prerequisites: Mind & Its World I

Mind Only

TEACHERS

JIRKA HLADIŠ

This course is an exposition of the Cittamātra philosophical tradition, based on The Mind Only Tenet System root text. Students engage in the philosophical reformulation of experience arising from meditation practice, declaring reasonings that establish objects as not separate from mind. This is followed by the presentation of the true and false aspectarians and the classification of knowable objects into the three natures, as well as the theory of the eight-fold collection of consciousness.

Prerequisites: BUD 501, BUD 510, BUD 520, BUD 530