Tibetan Buddhism Syllabus
Welcome to this course. Together we will examine many facets of
Tibetan Buddhism. Along the way we will explore the practice of
meditation. If you have never meditated before, this will be a new
experience for you, and I want to provide you with support during this
process. Please feel free to email me with questions or problems as
they arise.
Each week you will be expected to:
Log on to the course at least twice to listen to the 30 minute podcasts that
contain the lecture for the week and the instructions and guidance for the
meditation
Read the content that is posted on the web for that week
Explore the book or books that I have assigned, either skim or read them,
as you prefer
Write a brief reaction paper, no more than 2-4 pages, discussing your
reactions to the readings, podcasts or mediations. Feel free to make
whatever connections are significant for you
Set aside a time each day to practice your meditation
Write a response to the discussion question that is posted in the
discussion area, and respond to the postings of at least 2 of your
classmates
Make sure to read the course syllabus and check the list of readings
The course is intended for anyone who is interested in learning information about
Tibetan Buddhism and beginning or expanding a practice of meditation.
Week one:
I) Life of the Buddha/ First half of life
a) Prince Siddhartha begins his journey
b) Austerity and renunciation
c) Under the Bohdi tree
d) Defeating the Mara’s
e) Enlightenment
f) Meditation: Four thoughts that turn the mind and breathing
g) Assigned book: What makes you not a Buddhist? By Dzongsar Jamyang
Khyentse
II) After Enlightenment/ Buddha teaches
a) The four noble truths
b) The four seals
c) Meditation: Mindfulness
d) Assigned book: What makes you not a Buddhist? By Dzongsar Jamyang
Khyentse
Week two:
I. Mahayana Buddhism
a. Bodhisattva and the practice of compassion
b. The four immeasurables
c. Meditation: Calm Abiding
d. Assigned book: Wake up to your Life By Ken McLeod
II. The heart sutra, teachings on the nature of emptiness
a. The nature of emptiness
b. The awakening mind
c. Meditation: Taking and Sending
d. Assigned book: Wake up to your Life By Ken McLeod
Week three:
I. Vajrayana Buddhism
a. Yiddam or Deity practice
b. Mantra
c. Chenrezig meditation
d. Reference text: Chenrezig Lord of Love by Bokar Rinpoche
e. Assigned Text: Cinema Nirvana by Dean Sluyter
II. Vajrayana Buddhism part 2
a. Creation and completion
b. Practice in daily life
c. Tara meditation
d. Reference text: Tara, The Feminine Divine by Bokar Rinpoche
e. Assigned Text: Cinema Nirvana by Dean Sluyter
Week four:
I. Tibetan culture and Buddhist practice part 1
a. Buddhism enters Tibet
b. Development of the four lineages in Tibet
c. Shrines and sacred space
d. Meditation: set up a sacred space for meditation
e. Assigned Reading: The Crystal and the Way of Light by Namkhai
Norbu
II. Tibetan culture and Buddhist practice part 1
a. Great practitioners
b. Milarepa
c. Machig
d. Role of the Guru
e. Meditation: On Insight and Dismantling Illusion
Daily Meditation
Daily meditation has the power to build a better life for you, awaken the fire within
your spirit and help you to achieve your highest purpose. It is very important that
you devote at least 10 minutes each day to your practice of meditation to get the
greatest benefit from this course.