Dorje Chang Institute

In addition to the nine core FPMT Basic Program (BP) subjects there are three additional supplementary subjects and this subject is one of these supplementary subjects.

Our Tuesday night FPMT Basic Program (BP) Intermediate Level Series will host one of the FPMT BP supplementary subjects, The Three Basic Bodies – Death, Bardo, Rebirth, from 6 June 2023. This class is currently planned to run for 15 weeks (TBC). The BP Classes are taught by our Resident Teacher, Lharampa Geshe Wangchen. If you wish to attend, you need to apply/register – more details on that below.

Requirements to Join this Class:

Please note that it definitely requires some previous study to attend these intermediate level classes, particularly this advanced topic. This class is not for new students. Additionally, due to the material to be taught in this class, Geshe Wangchen is requiring anyone attending to have already received a Highest Yoga Tantric Initiation. 

Subject Overview:

Death, intermediate state and rebirth underpin samsara, the condition of repeated rebirth impelled by previous action and delusion. But they are also the three ‘basic bodies’ of highest yoga tantra practice, forming the bases for altruistic transformation into the truth, enjoyment and emanation bodies of a buddha. This transformation is brought about by means of simulating in meditation the stages of the death process that result in manifestation of the clear light mind. Therefore, this teaching explains in detail both the death process and the way it is brought into the path to enlightenment.

The text for this class is: The Lamp Thoroughly Illuminating the Presentation of the Three Basic Bodies by Yangchen Gawai Lodro.

[For students already enrolled in this class, who have paid the Materials / Admin Fee and have been given access to the Materials Page for this class, here is a quick link to the Supplementary Materials page for The Three Basic Bodies – Death, Bardo, Rebirth. You will need to login using your username and password in order to access it.]

Classes are on Tuesdays 7.30 – 9pm beginning 6 June 2023 and will run for approximately 15 weeks. The end date of 12 September is flexible and may be adjusted by Geshe-la as needed.

There will also be optional Discussion Nights offered on alternate Thursdays 7.30 – 9pm facilitated by FPMT Registered Teacher, Simon Harrison. These are a great way to review, ask more questions and clarify one’s understanding. Please see DCI’s online program calendar for dates of scheduled discussion nights.

Materials / Admin Fee:  $10 includes a copy (printed and/or digital) of The Lamp Thoroughly Illuminating the Presentation of the Three Basic Bodies by Yangchen Gawai Lodro, handouts during the course, as well as access to downloadable supplementary materials.

(If you are participating in this course from afar and wish to have a printed copy of the root text, we recommend, as the text is not long, to just get a copy printed for yourself. Otherwise if you wish us to post it to you there will be an extra charge of $8 to cover posting the initial text to you (within New Zealand). The handouts will be emailed as they are distributed. The supplementary materials will be available online.)

Facility Fees: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)

The Facility Fees for the optional Discussion Nights on alternate Thursdays are also $10 per discussion night (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free).

We highly recommend that Basic Program Students consider becoming a Dharma Friend Monthly Contributor if they are not already one.

There are Three Payment Method Options for paying the Materials and Facility Fees:

1. paying by internet banking (bank account details are provided on the Materials Fee and Facility Fee Payment Forms) – this is the preferred payment method
2. paying by cash in person
3. paying by PayPal using either a PayPal account or a credit card – please note that PayPal takes a small portion of each payment and so this is not our preferred payment method.

Questions? Please feel free to contact us using our Contact Form or by calling our Spiritual Program Office 09 8288776 if you have questions about joining the class.