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Bodhisattva Project II

A Bodhisattva is someone who makes the courageous decision to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. This vow is at the heart of Mahayana Buddhism.

But how exactly do you embark on the bodhisattva path? How do you avoid getting lost along the way? What methods can be used to really achieve the goal of enlightenment?

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The Bodhisattva Project is a multi-year study course on the foundations, philosophy, and practices of Mahayana Buddhism. This is the second batch within the project. Under the guidance of Do Tulku Rinpoche, we will follow a similar curriculum as the major Buddhist monastic universities (tib. Shédra) and will also devote ourselves to an intensive study of the classical scriptures.

About the course

This course is mainly conducted online. In general, there will be about 3 videos of teachings uploaded per month. There is also one live session with Do Tulku Rinpoche every month. The participants are divided into "trainees" and "listeners".
Trainees are committing to more intensive studies, various assignments, participation in retreats, and small exams. They are also in closer personal contact with Rinpoche. You can only be a trainee if you participate in the entire program.
Listeners, on the other hand, listen to the teachings in a more passive way but are of course also allowed to participate in the retreats and assignments if they wish to. Listeners can also participate in single modules.
The retreats take place both online and on-site in our center in Windeck (as soon as this is possible again). This program is designed to accommodate both the longing for intensive studies as well as the busy lifestyle of people in the West. Thus, with a bit of determination and discipline, it is definitely possible to participate while living a worldly life, e.g. having a job and family.
Duration: The entire course is expected to last about 10 years. 

Program structure

MODULE I

Foundations (ca. 1 1/2 years)

  • Introduction to Buddhism. This course starts in June 2021. For details see here.

  • The History of Buddhism (starts on August 1, 2021 with a live session on Zoom)

  • The Sutra Project 1: We will devote ourselves to the Sutra Project again and again during the entire program to get to know some of the most important discourses of the Buddha 

  • The four philosophical schools of Buddhism 

MODULE II

Immersion (ca. 6 years)

  • Text study and practice: The Ways of a Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryavatara) from Shantideva

  • The Sutra Project 2 

  • Text study and practice: Entering the Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara) by Candrakirti 

  • Text study and practice: The First Eight Chapters of the Four Hundred Verses of Aryadeva

MODULE III

Buddhist Phenomenology and Epistemology (ca. 2 years)

  • Studies in Buddhist phenomenology (Abhidharma)

  • Introduction to Buddhist epistemology

  • Excerpts from Sakya Pandita's Treasure of Reasonings and Dharmakirti's Commentary on Valid Cognition

LANGUAGE

Rinpoche teaches in English. The videos are provided with German and Portuguese subtitles. Live sessions are either translated simultaneously or held separately. This is based on the actual needs and interests. Therefore, please indicate when registering if you need a translation so we can plan accordingly.

DONATIONS

The entire course is on a donation basis. This ancient Buddhist tradition only works if everyone participates. In this way, everybody can give what is possible for them according to their individual financial situation. We recommend that long-term students set up a monthly standing order. However, donations are also possible at times of your choice.

Registrations are now closed

Soon we will annouce the Bodhisattva Project III

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