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Dakpo Thargyen Teaching Series - Every Wednesday beginning August 5, 2015

posted Jul 11, 2015, 9:30 AM by Pema Choephel   [ updated Aug 3, 2015, 2:41 PM ]
WHAT: Teaching by Khenpo Karten RInpoche on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation (དྭགས་པོ་ཐར་རྒྱན།) 

WHEN: Every Wedneday beginning August 5, 2015 from 7-9 pm

WHERE: Manjushri Dharma Center, Pacific Grove

We are very pleased to offer a new class, Thargyen: The Dharma Path to Awakening, with Khenpo Karten Rinpoche at Manjushri Dharma Center. Similar to the "Lamrim" classes in the Gelugpa tradition, the Thargyen class is the Kagyu approach to the initial entry into the Buddhist path. We will use a root text originally composed by Gampopa, eight centuries ago, which is considered a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. The text and the commentary we will study with Rinpoche will provide us with a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice. Gampopa (1074-1153 C.E.) was one of the most highly respected Tibetan Buddhist masters and the principal student of Milarepa.

For the class, we will use the book The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings, by Gampopa, translated by Ven. Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen, published by Snow Lion Press (1998). Students enrolling in the class will be required to have a copy of the book. It is available on Amazon for $17.73.

The class will meet on Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. and is expected to go on for several months or longer. Ongoing attendance is recommended but not required. We will take breaks when Rinpoche is away. David Molk will assist with interpretation. This is a major commitment to teach the Dharma to our Sangha for both Rinpoche and David in an in-depth and well-structured way; for this we are very thankful.

Topics to be covered include:

1. Buddha Nature, which is the timeless, original nature of all sentient beings
2. The basis, the person who attains enlightenment, precious human rebirth
3. The condition that inspires that attainment, the Virtuous Spiritual Guide
4. The methods for accomplishing it, which are the instructions
5. The fruits of accomplishing it, the fully enlightened Buddha Kayas, or bodies of Buddha
6. The activities that occur once having accomplished that, non-conceptual deeds benefiting living beings.


We are requesting a fee of $10 per class. If it's possible to be a patron for this teaching and offer a larger donation, it would help others who may not be able to pay --- your extra donation would be put to good use. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

Rinpoche and David will give an introduction to the class this coming Wednesday, August 5, 7-8 p.m. Rinpoche will also talk about the class at tonight's practice. We recommend that you attend the Wednesday meeting if you are considering taking the class, or even if you are not sure whether you want to take it!

Please note that the Thargyen class will replace Wednesday night meditation beginning this Wednesday, Aug. 5. (If there is enough demand for an evening meditation class, we may schedule it on another night.) We will continue our Saturday morning meditation sessions. The Thargyen class will officially begin on the following Wednesday, August 12.

For any questions you may have about the Thargyen Class, please talk to us tonight at practice or contact Kyle Titus, MDC Program Coordinator, at 831/917-2077.