BP Sublime Continuum: The Tathagata Essence
“I bow to the one who, with no beginning, middle or end, has a serene stillness and is clear-minded and fully evolved, who became clear from his own aspects and once clear, shows fearless, constant paths of the mind to bring realisation to those with no realisation…”
Welcome to Sublime Continuum – The Tathagata Essence subject of our Tuesday night FPMT Basic Program (BP) Intermediate Level Series. This class will be offered in 2020 from 10 Mar till approximately mid-July (4 months). 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.
Please be aware that this current class began on 10 March 2020. We are less likely to accept new applications to join the class this far in, unless you have already studied this topic previously. We plan to begin a new class on our next subject likely in July. The next scheduled topic is Tenets. Thank you for your understanding.
Overview:
One of the major texts studied in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum clarifies the meaning of our buddha potential, in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment. Replete with rich poetic imagery and metaphor, the work relates a profound and refined vision of the Mahayana.
The first chapter, Tathagata Essence, is the focus of this teaching, explaining the first four related ‘vajra’ subjects – the Three Jewels and buddha lineage or tathagata essence. Geshe Wangchen will lead us in an exploration of this chapter relying on Gyaltsab Je’s commentary.
Course Dates
Classes are on Tuesdays 7.30 – 9pm beginning 10 March 2020. This class is scheduled to run through approximately mid-July (4 months in total).
Later in this course, there will also be optional Discussion Nights offered on alternate Thursdays 7.30 – 9pm led by a Senior Student Discussion Leader. We plan to begin these in early May. Check our program calendar for dates closer to the time.
Cost
Materials Fee: $40 includes a printed and wire bound copy of the commentary and a separate printed copy of the root verses as well as access to downloadable supplementary materials. (Please note that these are new updated translations from the texts used in Round 1 of the BP for this subject.)
Facility Fees: $10 per class (Dharma Friend Monthly Contributors are free)
The Facility Fee for the optional Discussion Nights on alternate Thursdays (beginning in May) 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
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.
