Level 1 Courses
An introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and basic practices and rituals

101/102 – Survey of Tibetan Buddhism I/II

This course is designed to provide newcomers a survey of the entire path of Tibetan Buddhism. The course includes daily meditation practice, the different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, and the practices of the complete path that are usually done in a three-year retreat, including Five-Path Mahamudra and the Six Yogas of Naropa. This course is a prerequisite for many of the other courses at Dharmakirti College. Prerequisites: None.

103 – Chenrezig

Chenrezig (Tib.) or Avalokiteshvara (Skt.) is the Buddha of Compassion. This course is an introduction to Chenrezig practice, one of the most beloved of the Tibetan Buddhist practices, as well as Buddhist deity meditation practice generally. Students wanting to know more about Tibetan Buddhist meditation practices will find this course to provide a solid introduction. There are no prerequisites for this course. However, the Survey of Tibetan Buddhism or some background with Buddhism is highly recommended. Prerequisites: None.

104 – White Tara

Tara is the female Buddha of Compassion and the most popular among the female deities in Buddhist practice. Her color represents purity and truth. Her practice is also connected with longevity. This course teaches the practice as well as expanding on the deity practices introduced in the Chenrezig course. Prerequisites: None, though 103 is recommended.

Level 2 Courses – Complete practices for householders

201/202/203/204 – Natural Liberation

A very complete cycle of teachings from preliminary practices through Highest Yoga Tantra and Dzogchen Trekcho and Togal based on the root text of Padmasambhava on the six bardos of (1) this life, (2) dreams, (3) meditation, (4) dying, (5) Dharmata, and (6) becoming. This series of courses prepares practitioners with a solid background in practice to advance to the highest levels of practice in this lifetime. No other practices are needed. Prerequisites: 101/102, 103 and 104, or instructor permission.

Level 3 Courses – Detailed courses in core preliminaries and advanced practices for those who seek deeper understanding and practice.

301/302 –Ngondro I/II

These are the incomparable foundational or preliminary practices upon which all others are based. Essential to establishing our attitude and motivation are the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind. Our mental obscurations, afflictive emotions and other mental fixations are systematically addressed through refuge, bodhicitta, Vajrasattva purification, mandala offerings, and guru yoga. In addition, these practices provide a solid understanding for advanced Vajrayana practices. Prerequisites: 201/202/203/204 or instructor permission.

303/304 – Bodhisattva’s Way of Life I/II

Bodhichitta, the altruistic wish to help all sentient beings attain enlightenment, is at the heart of all Buddhist practices. The most highly regarded and popular text for these is The Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Shantideva, which is supplemented by the practice text “The Sun of Brilliant Clarity: A Step-by-Step Guide to Meditating on the Bodhicharyavatara” by Patrul Rinpoche. These include the core practices of the Six Perfections: generosity, ethical discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration and wisdom. Prerequisites: 301/302 or instructor permission.

305 – Buddha Nature

In the Third Turning of the Wheel, the Buddha taught Buddha Nature—our innate, Buddha essence. While this is among The Buddha’s most advanced teachings, Gampopa said that when it is taught early in one’s development one will advance more quickly. The 8-week course examines Maitreya’s Uttaratantra, the classic Buddhist text on Buddha Nature, as well as Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s contemporary Present Fresh Wakefulness. Prerequisites: 301/302 (303/304 recommended) or instructor permission.

Level 4 Courses – The advanced curriculum is divided between the Mahamudra and Dzogchen paths. This level examines the generation stage of Highest Yoga Tantra and core generation stage practices for each path.

401/402 – Generation Stage I/II

In the generation stage practices of highest yoga tantra, one mentally generates oneself as the deity and one’s surroundings as the mandala of the deity. Although all deity practices include generating the deity, this class of practices includes those with very complex visualizations as the principle focus. Chakrasamvara and Hayagriva are examples. This course provides a detailed understanding for these visualizations applicable to all generation stage deity practices. Prerequisites: 301-305.

403M/404M – Chakrasamvara I/II

Chakrasamvara is a comprehensive father tantra practice that leads into the Five-Path Mahamudra. The practice further develops one’s skills in visualization, contemplation and meditation, as well as more detailed symbolism and significance of the generation stage of practice. Yidam practice is a very special tantric practice in which one transforms one’s normal, samsaric experience of reality into an extraordinary experience of the true state of all phenomena. The practice of Yidam is a special and profound method to quickly transform ordinary appearances into enlightened appearances. Prerequisites: 401/402 and Chakrasamvara or Five-Path Mahamudra empowerment.

403D/404D – Three Roots I/II

The Three Roots practice from the Yangzab Dzochen cycle of teachings is a comprehensive generation stage practice. The practice further develops one’s skills in visualization, contemplation and meditation, as well as more detailed symbolism and significance of the generation stage of practice. The course prepares students to transition into the nonconceptual advanced practices of Ati Yoga or Dzogchen. Prerequisites: 401/402 and Three Roots empowerment.

405 – Improving Your Practice

This course draws from traditional Buddhist views of mind and Western scientific research, reflecting recent interest in the exchanges and collaborative research between Western scientists and Buddhist scholars. The class will address the difficulty of staying focused and other common obstacles to successful meditation and ways to deal with them through the theory and practice of attention, emotion and consciousness from Western scientific and traditional Vajrayana Buddhist points of view.  Prerequisites: 403M/404M or 403D/404D or instructor permission.

Level 5 Courses – These courses continue the advanced study of the Mahamudra or Dzogchen paths to enlightenment, as well as the opportunity to learn how to lead practice

501M/502M – Five-Path Mahamudra I/II

Five-Path Mahamudra is a comprehensive practice that includes (1) the common and uncommon preliminary practices, (2) Chakrasamvara practice, (3) Four-Kaya Guru Yoga, (4) Mahamudra itself, and (5) dedication of merit. The four kayas are the nirmanakaya, sambhogakaya, dharmakaya, and svabhavikakaya. In this context, the first three are considered relative truth and the fourth is ultimate truth. In the practice the guru is visualized in the form of Shakyamuni Buddha, then as Vairochana, followed by Vajradhara. Finally, the guru is meditated on without any form, color, name or shape. Mahamudra is the uncontrived, natural state completely devoid of fabrication of meditation and meditator, non-attached and non-separated, free from hope and fear, grasping and letting-go, rejection and acceptance, meditation and post-meditation. Prerequisites: Completion of level 4 Mahamudra path courses and Five-Path Mahamudra empowerment.

501D/502D – Introduction to Dzogchen I/II

Dzogchen or the Great Perfection is the highest level of the Vajrayana teachings. It deals directly with self-liberation into our innate Buddha Nature, abiding in the state of rigpa. This overview describes the three branches of Dzogchen teachings—the mind series, the space series, and the special instructions (including trekcho and togal). Prerequisties: Completion of the level 4 Dzogchen path courses and Pointing Out Instructions.

503M/504M – Madhyamaka I/II

The highly influential Madhyamaka or Middle Way school of Indian Buddhism was based on the teachings of the great Nagajuna, and were further elaborated upon by Dharmakirti and Chandrakirti. This philosophical approach emphasizes the negation of independent phenomenal reality through logical reductionism in order to arrive at a true understanding of emptiness. This approach is comparable to that of Mahamudra and Dzogchen for understanding the ultimate nature of reality, void of all particular characteristics. Prerequisites: 501M/502M or 501D/502D.

503D/504D – Dzogchen Mind Series I/II

The Mind Series (semde) teachings look primarily at the nature of mind, our own Buddha Nature directly and nonconceptually. There are four yogas that enable the student to engage in contemplation: shine (or shamata), lhatong (or vipassana), nyimed (or nondual), and lhundrub (or self-perfection). Students will examine some of the classic texts in this series of instructions and develop skill in the actual practice. Prerequisites: 501D/502D.

505 – Leading Practice

Students will receive instruction in how to set up and lead meditation practices based upon use of a sadhana. Practical guidance will be provided in working with groups, effective communication, chanting, and answering questions. Students will gain practical experience leading practice groups with feedback from the instructor. Prerequisite: Completion of other level 5 courses or instructor permission.

Level 6 Courses – Very advanced study of the Mahamudra or Dzogchen paths to enlightenment, as well as the opportunity to learn how to teach the dharma

601M/602M – Vajrayogini I/II

Vajrayogini is a principle mother tantra practice leading into the completion stage practices of channels, winds and drops and the Six Yogas of Naropa. Students will examine the important role of the dakini in the development of the tantric yoga practices as well as the specific application of completions stage practices. Prerequisites: Completion of level 5 Mahamudra courses and Vajrayogini empowerment.

601D/602D – Dzogchen Space Series I/II

The Space Series (longed) includes four symbols practiced concurrently: salwa (or clarity), mitogpa (nonconeptuality), dewa (bliss), and yermed (inseparability). Students will examine some of the classic texts in this series of instructions and develop skill in the actual practice. Prerequisites: Completion of level 5 Dzogchen courses.

603M/604M – Six Yogas of Naropa I/II

The Six Yogas of Naropa are tummo, illusory body, dream yoga, clear light, bardo, and phowa. These advanced completion-stage practices enable one to transform one’s body into the actual body of a buddha. Students will develop skill and understanding in each of these practices. Prerequisites: 601M/602M.

603D/604D – Trekcho I/II

The trekcho instructions are part of the special instruction series. This course will examine these instructions, particularly through the writings of the highly regarded master Longchenpa. Students will also further develop their actual practice. Prerequisites: 601D/602D.

605 – Teaching Dharma

Students interested in or requested by their lama to teach the dharma will examine the theoretical constructs of adult learning theory and practical applications from the best of Western research and practice. These will then be applied to traditional approaches used to teaching the dharma. Students will practice teaching under the supervision of a teaching professional and dharma faculty member. Prerequisites: Completion of other level 6 courses or instructor permission.

Level 7 Courses – The most advanced level of study of the Mahamudra or Dzogchen paths to enlightenment, as well as opportunities for guided study, thesis and guided retreat

701M/702M – Kalachakra I/II

Kalachakra is the most complex of all the tantric traditions. Made popular in the West by the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this course examines the complexities and symbolism of this nondual tantra and its practices. Students will apply these concepts to the actual practice. Prerequisites: Completion of level 6 Mahamudra courses and Kalachakra initiation.

701D/702D – Togal I/II

Togal is the advanced and often secret teaching of the special instructions of Dzogchen. This practice leads to attaining the Rainbow Body, enabling one to help other beings achieve enlightenment. Students will learn the practices of togal and how to apply them. Prerequisites: Completion of level 6 Dzogchen courses.

798 – Guided Study and Thesis (may be repeated)

Students in this course study a specific area of Buddhist philosophy or practice under the guidance of one of the faculty. This is an opportunity to go into greater depth in an area in the curriculum or to investigate areas not included in the curriculum that are particularly meaningful to the student. It may be an area suggested by one’s own lama. Students should contact a faculty member about writing a proposal that must be approved by the faculty as a whole prior to beginning this study. The study will culminate in a master’s level thesis. Prerequisites: Completing the full Mahamudra or Dzogchen path of study and faculty approval of the proposal. The proposal for guided study and thesis may be developed during the last semester of prescribed study.

799 – Guided Retreat (may be repeated)

Students may participate in an extended retreat under the guidance of one of the faculty or another lama acceptable to the faculty. Extended retreats are an important part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and may extend 3 years or longer. Most Western students may not be able to complete a retreat of this length, so the retreat plan is flexible to meet the needs of advanced students for longer guided practice in the tradition. Prerequisite: Faculty approval of a retreat plan.