Tibetan Buddhism CRRS 314

							                               Tibetan Buddhism CRRS 314
                                Class 12, August 25, 2009


                     Tibetan Buddhism, Final Paper Topics

This is a 5-6 page, double-space typed paper, to be completed at the end of this course.
The Final Paper has to be brought to my office on Monday, September 21st between 4 and
5PM. Each paper is worth a maximum of 30 points (30% of final grade).

The paper must be written in your own words. You can use internet materials to research
the topics. However, creating a paper by direct copying and pasting of internet materials
is not allowed. It is very easy to discover such cheating, and it will result in lowering of
your grade. If you want to directly quote from the source put in a quotation marks and
give a reference (source) in the footnotes. Please, learn from the offered materials, but try
to think and write with your own mind.

You are encouraged to research the sources together with other students in the class who
are working on the same topic. However, you must not write together. If I see the same or
even similar paragraphs in two papers on the same topic, I will have to lower the grades
of both students.

Please, first research the sources. You do not need to consult more than 3-4 books and
web-sites. At least one source has to be from the writings of Tibetan masters. Make a one
page paper with the names of the web-sites, books, and/or articles that you plan to use,
and with a brief (2-3) sentences description of each of the sources. This paper is due on
the September 1st class. I will look at your sources and help you find the right ones. After
that you have three more weeks to write your final paper.

The topic of the paper is the description and comparison of Buddhist doctrines covered in
the course. You will be assigned to write on one out of the fifteen topics:


1. Compare practice of paramis in Theravada Buddhism with practice of paramitas
in Mahayana. Sources:
A Treatise on the Paramis: From the Commentary to the Cariyapitaka by Acariya
Dhammapala http://www.what-buddha-
taught.net/Books/Acariya_Dhammapala_A_Treatise_on_the_Paramis.htm

The Paramis: A Historical Background by Guy Armstrong
http://www.midamericadharma.org/cdl/DPP/Paramisintro.pdf

Paramita from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramita




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The Six Paramitas, by Tai Situ Rinpoche
http://www.rinpoche.com/teachings/paramitas.htm

The Six Perfections by Lama Sopa (Zopa) Rinpoche
http://www.bodhicitta.net/Six%20Perfections.htm


2. Compare the role of a spiritual friend/ Dhamma master (kalyanamitta /
kalyanamitra) in Thai Forest tradition and Tibetan Buddhism. Sources:
Kalyāṇ a-mittatā from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaly%C4%81%E1%B9%87a-mittat%C4%81

Admirable friendship: kalyanamittata from Access to Insight
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-
ditthi/kalyanamittata.html

Awareness Itself by Ajaan Fuang Jotiko (Chapter “Student/Teacher”)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/fuang/itself.html

The Customs of the Noble Ones by Thanissaro Bhikkhu from Access to Insight
(Wilderness itself as teacher starting with paragraph 12)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/customs.html

The Drawback of Lacking a Competent Teacher from Buddha Dhyana Dana Review
Online
http://www.bddronline.net.au/bddr12no7/Mun008.htm

Good and Wise Advisor (Kaliyanamitra or Guru) from Nalanda University website
http://www.nalanda-university.com/buddhist-ayurveda-
encylopedia/good_and_wise_advisor_guru_kalyanamitra_kalyana_kallana-mitta_shan-jr-
shr.htm


3. Compare practice of Mahamudra with the practice of the Third and the Fourth
Foundations of Mindfulness
Awareness Itself by Ajaan Fuang Jotiko (Chapters "Right Awareness" and "Realization")
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/fuang/itself.html

One of the best, most reliable sources on Internet is The Berzin Archives by Dr.
Alexander Berzin. The following sources are from his page called Advanced Meditation –
Mahamudra http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/x/nav/n.html_94726721.html

Milarepa Leads a Youth to Realize the True Nature of the Mind by Geshe Ngawang
Dhargyey



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http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/advanced/mahamudra/karma_kagyu_m
m/milarepa_realize_true_nature_mind.html

The Gelug-Kagyu Tradition of Mahamudra by H. H. the Dalai Lama
Part I: An Introduction to Mahamudra and Its Practical Application to Life;
Chapter 4, The Initial Level of Mahamudra Meditation (See especially Dalai Lama’s
explanation of awareness and clarity)
http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/e-
books/published_books/gelug_kagyu_mahamudra/pt1/mm_04.html


4. Compare the methods of working with negative emotions (kilesas / kleshas) in
Thai Buddhism and Kadam school of Tibetan Buddhism. Sources:
The Demons of Defilement (Kilesa Mara) by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo (Phra
Suddhidhammaransi Gambhiramedhacariya)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/lee/demons.html

Destructive Emotions from Rigpa Wiki
http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Kleshas

The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation by Chögyam Trungpa, Judith L. Lief.
http://books.google.com/books?id=_HwOLyS8_XUC&pg=PP1&dq=The+Truth+of+Suff
ering+and+the+Path+of+Liberation#v=onepage&q=&f=false pages 46-48

How to Deal with Negative Emotions by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/sutra/level3_lojong_material/general/de
al_with_negative_emotions.html


5. Compare the understanding of Luminous Mind (pabhassara-citta / prabhasvara-
citta) in Vajrayana and Theravada.

Luminous mind from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminous_mind

Pabhassara Sutta: Luminous translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu from
Access to Insight http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an01/an01.049.than.html

The Selfless Mind. Peter Harvey. Curzon Press, Richmond, Surrey, 1995.

Luminous mind: The way of the Buddha by Karma-raṅ -byuṅ -kun-khyab-phrin-las
(Khenpo Kalu.), Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche, Denis Töndrup from Google Books
http://books.google.com/books?id=eWVgoVByVhcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=luminou
s+mind#v=onepage&q=prabhasvara-citta&f=false (p21-24)

Dalai Lama's talk at Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling in Hawaii on October 28, 1980



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http://www.nechung.org/hhdl01.shtml

The Buddha Nature in the Context of the Three Dharmachakras by the Third Jamgon
Kongtrul Rinpoche, (read only chapter on the Third Dhramacakra)
http://www.rinpoche.com/teachings/jkrnature.htm


6. Discuss the relationship between Dependent Origination (paticca-samuppada /
pratitya-samutpada) and emptiness (suñyata / shunyata) in Theravada and
Mahayana Buddhism (Acarya Nagarjuna)
An Introduction to paticca-samuppada (dependent co-origination) from Buddhist Peace
Fellowship website
http://www.bpf.org/tsangha/watts2-1.html

Paticca-samuppada-vibhanga Sutta: Analysis of Dependent Co-arising translated from
the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu from Access to Insight
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.002.than.html

Pratītyasamutpāda from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prat%C4%ABtyasamutp%C4%81da

Śūnyatā from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunyata

Nagarjuna (scroll down to section on Misconception & Misconstrual) from Khandro Net
http://www.khandro.net/buddhism_doctrine_Nagarjuna.htm


7. How do you practice meditation on Compassion (karuna) in Theravada and
Mahayana/Vajrayana Buddhism?

Meditation on Compassion by The Dalai Lama from Life Challenges website
http://www.lifechallenges.org/create/dlama.html

Lamrim: The Stages of the Buddhist Path from How to Meditate website
http://www.how-to-meditate.org/lamrim.htm

Six Preliminary Contemplations on compassion, by Venerable Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche
(Start reading from the beginning of the tex tup to the "An Introduction to “The 37
Practices of a Bodhisattva”)
http://www.rinpoche.com/teachings/sixcontemplations.htm

Loving-Kindness Meditation Compassion: A guided meditation by Ven. Ayya Khema
from Meditation in Bangkok website
http://www.meditationthailand.com/compassionayya.htm




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The Practice of Tonglen by Pema Codron from Shambhala website
http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/tonglen1.php


8. Compare one ritual practice (such as merit-making, or exorcism of bad spirits) in
Thai and Tibetan Buddhism.
The Seven Shrine Offerings, by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/buddhism/bec/bec05.php

Wien Tien from Thailand Life
http://www.thailandlife.com/wientien.html

The Animal Release by Thrangu Rinpoche (in Tibetan Buddhism)
http://www.rinpoche.com/animalrelease.html

A Brief Discourse on the Merit of Animal-Release and Live-Saving by Lama Drimed
Lodro http://www.sttcc.org/en/life_release_merit.php


9. Mind training in Kadam school of Tibetan Buddhism
The Tonglen and Mind Training Site http://lojongmindtraining.com/

Thrangu Rinpoche on Tonglen (sending and taking)
http://www.quietmountain.org/links/teachings/tonglen.htm

Pema Chodron, Buddhist nun on Lojong (short and easy to understand)
http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/lojong1.php

Pema Chodron, on Tonglen
http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/tonglen1.php


10. Describe the practice of debate in Tibetan Buddhism (especially in Geluk school)

Tibetan Monastic Education: The Physicality of Tibetan Debates by Georges Dreyfus
and THL.
http://www.thlib.org/places/monasteries/sera/essays/#essay=/dreyfus/drepung/monasticed
/s/b42

Tibetan Monastic Education: The Schedule of Debating Institutions by Georges Dreyfus
http://www.thlib.org/places/monasteries/sera/essays/#essay=/dreyfus/drepung/monasticed
/s/b42#ixzz0PfH2jfAT

Tibetan Monastic Education: Examinations and the Organization of Debate by Georges
Dreyfus




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http://www.thlib.org/places/monasteries/sera/essays/#essay=/dreyfus/drepung/monasticed
/s/b44

 Geshé Rabten: The Life of a Sera Monk by Allen Wallace from Sera Monastery webpage
(www.seramonastery.org )

Initial Training at Sera (Look at Answer to the first question, or first two paragraphs of
the text)
http://www.thlib.org/places/monasteries/sera/essays/#essay=/cabezon/sera/lifeofseramon
k/#ixzz0PgIu4FUw

Dharma Talk: Debate by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR2MaY7wV_4

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist Debate by Loriens Leaves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DHvPxw84jc


11. Describe the life and teachings on kindness and compassion of H.H. the Dalai
Lama.

Sacred Traditions: Dalai Lama - Kindness and Compassion from The Dalai Lama, A
Policy of Kindness: An Anthology of Writings By and About the Dalai Lama, compiled
and edited by Sidney Piburn (Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion, 1990) pp. 47-52
http://www.globalcultures.net/sacredblog/?page_id=251 (we also have this book in our
library)

Compassion and the Individual by Tenzin Gyatso; The Fourteenth Dalai Lama
http://www.dalailama.com/page.166.htm

Dalai Lama's talk at Nechung Dorje Drayang Ling in Hawaii on October 28, 1980
http://www.nechung.org/hhdl02.shtml More>
http://www.nechung.org/hhdl03.shtml More>
http://www.nechung.org/hhdl04.shtml More>
http://www.nechung.org/hhdl05.shtml More>
http://www.nechung.org/hhdl06.shtml


12. Describe the life of Milarepa, his relationship with Marpa, and his life dedicated
to meditation and practice.

Milarepa from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milarepa

Marpa Lotsawa from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marpa_Lotsawa



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Jetsun Milarepa: Tibet's most famous meditator (1052 - 1135) from Rokpa (in four parts)
http://www.samye.org/mila.htm

The Magic Life of Milarepa, Tibet's Great Yogi (in comic book form) by Eva van Dam
http://sealevel.ns.ca/milarepa/

Milarepa part 1 (30:28)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2457340046043194813

Milarepa part 2 (30:13)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2267045336485419186&hl=en


13. Describe the teaching of Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism on Departing from
the Four Attachments.

Parting from the Four Attachments As spoken by Manjushri to Sachen Kunga Nyingpo
http://www.lotsawahouse.org/lojong/parting_from_four_attachments.html

Experiential Advice of the Root Guru: Commentary on Parting from the Four
Attachments by Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (book sized commentary)
http://chogyetrichen.com/English/words/teaching2.html#pgTop

Parting from the Four Attachments: Jetsun Drakpa Gyaltsen's Song of Experience on
Mind Training and the View by Chogye Trichen Rinpoche
http://www.sakyaiba.edu.np/partingfromattachment.html

Parting from the Four Attachments by Phakchok Rinpoche from Tibet Art Blog
http://www.mydzi.blogspot.com/2008/08/parting-from-four-attachments-by.html


14. Compare the practice of Loving-kindness (metta / maitri) in Tibetan and Thai
       Buddhism

Maitri Practice by Pema Chodron
http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/maitri2.php

Discourse, Meditation and Practice of Loving-kindness
http://www.naljorprisondharmaservice.org/pdf/MettaSutta.htm

Metta Practice by Sharon Salzberg
http://www.tricycle.com/new-buddhism/mental-discipline/metta-practice

Mettā from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81



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Practicing Loving-kindness and Compassion as an antidote to attachment to the pleasure
of peace by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche
http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/A%20-
%20Tibetan%20Buddhism/Authors/Kenpo%20Kochong%20Rinpoche/Fundamental%20
Teachings/sections/Loving%20Kindness%20and%20Compassion/Loving%20Kindness%
20and%20Compassion.htm


15. Compare a daily life and duties of monks in Thai and Tibetan Buddhism

A Monk's Dream Comes to Life: The Daily Life of a Thai Monk
http://www.buddhanet.net/wat_m5.htm

Tsechen Damchos Ling Buddhist Monastery: Monastic (Religious) Activities
http://www.tibetan-village.org.uk/routine.html

Geshé Rabten: The Life of a Sera Monk by José Ignacio Cabezón from Sera Monastery
webpage
1. Introduction:
http://www.thlib.org/places/monasteries/sera/essays/#essay=/cabezon/sera/lifeofseramon
k/
2. Initial Training at Sera (Answer to the first question-first two paragraphs of the text)
http://www.thlib.org/places/monasteries/sera/essays/#essay=/cabezon/sera/lifeofseramon
k/#ixzz0PgIu4FUw
3. Monastic Life and Education (especially answer to the fifth queation about daily life)
http://www.thlib.org/places/monasteries/sera/essays/#essay=/cabezon/sera/lifeofseramon
k/#ixzz0PgIu4FUw

What is a daily life as a monk in a monastery like? from Yahoo Answers
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090104112249AARPBrX

Tsundu: Becoming a Lama - PREVIEW (3:01) (Tibetan)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=daily%20life%20of%20a%20monk&um
=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#

Buddhist Monk Novice (1:30) (Thai)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=daily%20life%20of%20a%20monk&um
=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#hl=en&q=daily+life+of+a+monk&um=1&ie=UTF-
8&sa=N&tab=wv&start=10

The Monk Story (5:23) (Theravadan Forest)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRHkivEzCfw




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