OUTLINE OF THE COURSES BEING TAUGHT IN 2017
Please also check the program at http://internationalbuddhistacademy.org/courses/7-year-study-program-2017-2023/
Topic: The Complete Path 1: Clarifying the Sage’s Intent
Dates: August 1 to 26 – Introductory and Main Teachings
Teachers: His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and Khenpo Dr Ngawang Jorden
Clarifying the Sage’s Intent is a classical treatise on the theory and practice of the Mahayana studied in the Sakya tradition. Sakya Pandita describes the stages of the bodhisattva path from the beginning right up to full and perfect enlightenment, following the teaching tradition of the great early Kadampas on the ten stages of practice.
The teacher: His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche
His Eminence is considered one of the highest qualified lineage masters of both the esoteric and exoteric traditions of Buddhist philosophy and meditation. He is a descendant of the famous Khon family in Tibet which holds an unbroken lineage of great and famous masters for over a thousand years. The elder son of the 41st Sakya Trizin, throne holder of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, he teaches Buddhism and travels extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and North America. From birth, Rinpoche has been the recipient of blessings, empowerments, initiations and teachings from many of the foremost high lamas and scholars of this age. Most of these were bestowed by the 41st Sakya Trizin and others were bestowed by the 14th Dalai Lama, Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (1920–2007), Luding Khenchen Rinpoche and Dezhung Rinpoche (1906–1987). In addition to receiving many empowerments and teachings from the Sakya Trizin, he learned many facets of traditional rituals from him also. From his adolescent years to adulthood, Rinpoche has sought and received numerous teachings from the great Sakya scholars including Khenchen Appey Rinpoche (1927–2010), Khenpo Kunga Wangchuk Rinpoche (1921–2008) and Khenpo Lungrik Senge. He has also completed many retreats on the principal deities of the Sakya tradition.
For information about Khenpo Jorden, please go to http://internationalbuddhistacademy.org/about-us/khenpo-ngawang-jorden/
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Topic: Abhidharma – to be taught in Chinese with an English summary
Dates: August 30 to September 3
Teacher: Ven Dhammadipa
Ven Dhammadipa will present Abhidharma according to the Burmese Forest Tradition
Topic: Two Meditation Retreats – to be taught in English with a Chinese summary
Dates: September 6 to October 2
Teacher: Ven Dhammadipa
Shamatha : September 6 to 15
Cultivation of deep states of meditative absorption based on mindfulness in silent calm abiding retreat.
Four Immeasurables : September 18 to October 2
Cultivation of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity in silent retreat.
The teacher: Ven Dhammadipa
Ven Dhammadipa was born in Czechoslovakia. He has studied Chinese literature, philosophy, Sanskrit and Buddhist philosophy in Europe and India. He has lived in various parts of Asia, studying and practising as a Buddhist monk.
Ven Dhammadipa’s years of training in retreat combined with his extensive scholarly background make him an ideal teacher. He has extensively taught the Dharma in both theory and practice, and led students in meditation retreats in numerous countries.He speaks Czech, French, German, English, Russian and fluent Chinese and reads and translates Buddhist texts from Pali and Sanskrit.
Ven Dhammadipa taught a highly successful meditation program at IBA in the 2013 summer program
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Topic: Letter to a Friend
Dates: October 6 to 26
Teacher: Ven Ngawang Tenzin
Nagarjuna (1st – 2nd century A.D.) wrote his celebrated poem Letter to a Friend as a letter of advice to his friend King Gautamiputra/Satavahana.
This advice gives a concise and comprehensive introduction to the entire path and practice of Buddhism. It guides both householders and the ordained onto the path leading to liberation and enlightenment. The instructions are of special interest to those who wish to take up spiritual activity while continuing to live and work in society; they are meant to convey the whole meaning of the Dharma to the ordinary person in a language and style that are easy to understand.
Despite its short length, it covers the whole Mahayana path with unusual clarity and memorable imagery; thus it is widely quoted by Tibet’s great masters and scholars in the many commentaries they have written on the Buddhist path.
The teacher: Ven Ngawang Tenzin
Teacher and translator, Ngawang Tenzin, was born in Mustang, Nepal, in 1988. After eight years of study, he graduated from Sakya College, Dehra Dun, India, with the Ka-Chu-Pa Degree/ Shastri Degree (equivalent of B.A.) in Tibetan Buddhist Studies.
Fluent in Tibetan and English, as well as Hindi and Nepali, Ngawang Tenzin has a profound understanding of Buddha Dharma and an exceptionally clear manner when explaining its concepts to foreign students. He has translated both oral teachings and texts from Tibetan into English, and is highly sought after within the Sakya tradition for his excellent translation skills and knowledge.