BP Ornament for Clear Realizations - Fourth Chapter
“That which through the knower of all leads hearers seeking pacification to peace, which through the knower of paths causes those helping migrators to achieve the aims of the world, and through the perfect possession of which the Munis set forth these varieties having all aspects, to the Mother of the Buddhas as well as the host of hearers and bodhisattvas, I pay homage.”
Our Tuesday night FPMT Basic Program (BP) Intermediate Level Series will host its next subject, Ornament for Clear Realization – Chapter 4, from 16 February 2021 till the end of July 2021. Please note that it requires some previous study to attend these intermediate level classes. Of the nine core curriculum subjects this is the second to last in this current round of the FPMT Basic Program. The Basic Program Classes are taught by our Resident Teacher, Lharampa Geshe Wangchen. If you wish to attend, you need to register – more details on that below.
PLEASE NOTE: This course began on 16 February 2021, so has already been underway for a while. It would be difficult to join this late unless you have studied this topic previously. Please understand this if you decide to apply.
Quick Link for the Materials Page for the BP Ornament Class: If you are already registered for this course and have paid your materials fee – you can click here to view to the online supplementary materials for this class. You will need to login using your username and password.
Ornament Overview:
Maitreya’s Ornament for Clear Realization is the root text for the study of the levels of realization related to enlightenment according to the Madhyamaka school. This important scripture, traditionally the basis for extensive study in the monastic curriculum, made explicit these levels which were otherwise presented in only a hidden manner in the Buddha’s Perfection of Wisdom teachings. From among the seventy topics covered by the Ornament, the eleven topics of chapter four have been selected for commentary in the Basic Program curriculum.
More about the root text and commentary for this class:
Root Text: Maitreya, Ornament for Clear Realization (Skt. Abhisamayalankara; mNgon rtogs rgyan)
Commentary: Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen, General Meaning of the Fourth Chapter (sKabs bzhi spyi don / Rol mtsho)
The fourth chapter of Maitrya’s Ornament, ‘Application in the Complete Aspects’, describes the bodhisattva’s meditation on the 173 different aspects of the three exalted knowers by way of a union of calm abiding and special insight, for the purpose of attaining mastery over these different aspects.
Jetsün Chökyi Gyaltsen’s Ocean of Sport is the Sera Je college textbook for the study of chapter four of the Ornament and the standard commentary used to teach the subject in the BP. The relevant sections from the Commentary Clarifying the Meaning by the Indian scholar Haribhadra are included; this is the Indian commentary traditionally used in combination with the Tibetan commentary.
Course Dates
Classes are on Tuesdays 7.30 – 9pm beginning 16 February 2021 and concluding at the end of July 2021.
Discussion Nights (Optional)
There will also be optional Discussion Nights offered on alternate Thursdays 7.30 – 9pm facilitated by FPMT Registered Teacher, Ven. Carolyn Lawler. 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.
Cost
Materials Fee: $30 includes a printed and bound class text, handouts during the course 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:
- paying by internet banking (bank account details are provided on the Materials Fee and Facility Fee Payment Forms)
- paying by cash or cheque in person (cheques payable to “Dorje Chang Institute”)
- 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.
How to Join the Class
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.
Are you new to the Basic Program?
If this is your first time joining a subject of the FPMT Basic Program Intermediate Class Series at Dorje Chang Institute we recommend you familiarize yourself with the format and components of these classes by clicking the button below.
