Dorje Chang Institute

Welcome to the first subject to be offered in 2019 in our Tuesday night FPMT Basic Program (BP) Intermediate Level Series: Mind and Cognition Part I: Awarenesses and Knowers. Please note that it requires some previous study to attend these intermediate level classes. The Basic Program Classes are taught by our Resident Teacher, Lharampa Geshe Wangchen. 

Mind and Cognition Overview:

Mind and Cognition begins with the study of mind (Part I), both in its valid and distorted forms. In addition a number of important themes are introduced, including the relationship between subject and object, supramundane (yogic) knowing and the connection between thought and reality. 

An introduction to Buddhist psychology forms the latter part of the teaching (Part II – to be offered in 2019 following Part I), where the various positive and negative emotions as well as the cognitive states relevant to practice of a liberative path are identified and defined.

Mind and Cognition encompasses both epistemology (part 1), and psychology (part 2).

Part 1: Awarenesses and Knowers

This class will explain Buddhist epistemology by means of an analysis of the basic presentation of definitions and divisions, introducing the varieties of valid, distorted, conceptual and non-conceptual minds.

The text for this class is Yongdzin Purbuchok’s short text, Explanation of the Presentation of Objects and Object-Possessors as well as Mind and Cognition. The text is largely presented in debate format; the Basic Program commentary will not expand on the debates but focus on the ‘presentation of our own system’.

This is a very helpful subject for those interested in learning more about the mind, awareness, and how we know things, which is useful in our quest, as Buddhists, to eliminate the root cause of suffering, ignorance, and progress towards the state of full enlightenment, so that we can offer the greatest benefit to the numberless sentient beings.

Classes are on Tuesdays 7.30 – 9pm beginning 26 February 2019. This class is scheduled to run through June 2019. 

There will also be optional Discussion Nights offered on alternate Thursdays 7.30 – 9pm led by a Senior Student Discussion Leader.

Materials Fee:  $25 includes a printed and bound class text and also access to downloadable supplementary materials.

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

The Facility Fee for the optional Discussion Nights on alternate Thursdays is also $10 (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)
2. paying by cash or cheque in person (cheques payable to “Dorje Chang Institute”)
3. paying by PayPal using either a PayPal account or a credit card – please note that PayPal takes a small portion of each payment

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.