Spring Semester Online Courses Part II 2010

104 – White Tara (2nd 8 weeks)

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.

Required Texts:

The Wish-Fulfilling Wheel: The Practice of White Tara, by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche

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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.

Required Texts:

Natural Liberation (Alan Wallace trans) & Mind Beyond Death (The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche)

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404D – 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) and begins the Dzogchen Preliminary Practices of Khorde Rushen. Prerequisties: Completion of the level 4 Dzogchen path courses or instructor permission and Pointing Out Instructions.

Quintessential Dzogchen: Confusion Dawns as Wisdom trans by Kunsang & Schmidt

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