Information Brochure 15-Day Intensive Study Retreat

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Tibet House Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

15-day study retreat

Entry into the Middle Way (Skt. Madhyamaka!vata!ra ; Tib. Uma la Jukpa) Acharya Chandrakirti and

Thorough Elucidation of the Intent: An Extensive Exposition of ‘Entry into the Middle Way’

(Tib. Uma Gongpa Rabsel) Lama Tsongkhapa

P ictu re of the V en u e

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Distributed by Tibet House, New Delhi www.tibethouse.in | office@tibethouse.in

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‘Entry into the middle way’ Study Retreat September 23 – October 7, 2014

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Acharya Chandrakirti

Lama Tsongkhapa

It is the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to preserve the rich Indian tradition of philosophy, logic and psychology of Arya Nagarjuna, Acharya Aryadeva, Acharya Chandrakirti and the many other great masters and philosophers. Tibet House feels the responsibility to bring this dream of His Holiness to fruition by organising intensive study retreat programmes.

Outstation Study Retreat Programmes are meant for those who want to engage in an in-depth study of Buddhist philosophy. The peaceful environs of Swastigram Eco Ashram, located in the foothills of the Shivalik range, are well suited to intensive study, discussions and meditation.

The programme is designed to consolidate and expand the philosophical grounding of students and introduce them to key concepts and analytical debates related with the philosophy of emptiness as expounded by the Madhyamika school of philosophy. In order to gain an understanding of the subtleties of the view of emptiness as expounded by Arya Nagarjuna and Acharya Chandrakirti, participants will spend the days studying Acharya Chandrakirti’s Entry into the Middle Way and Lama Tsongkhapa’s commentary on the text, through lectures, discussions, and meditation sessions.

The 15-day retreat will be led by Geshe Dorji Damdul, Director of Tibet House. !!!!!!!!

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MAIN TEXTS ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! !

!"#$%&'"#(&#)!&*'++,!&-.%&/01#2&*.+)%.*.134.#3$.5&#'62&7*.&,.&8719.:&& .;).$%.&;)."+$.1'$#'& This is a classic commentary on Arya Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamakakarika. It elucidates the true import of Arya Nagarjuna’s classic text by clearly bringing out the meaning of the text.

Madhyamakavatara is also a commentary on the Sutra of the Ten Bhumis (Dashabhumika Sutra). This text covers the profound aspect of Arya Nagarjuna’s text, namely emptiness, as well as the vast aspect, the paths and the bhumis. It is studied extensively by all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and is a key part of the core of the curriculum of the great Tibetan monastic universities that preserve the philosophical tradition of the erstwhile Nalanda Mahavihara.

#)($(7<)& !,7;'+.#'("& (=& #)!& '"#!"#2& ."& !>#!"0'4!& !>9(0'#'("& (=& ?!"#!$'"<& #)!& *'++,!&-.%@&/#'62&7*.&<("<9.&$.60!,:&& ,.*.&#0("<1).9.&& This is a commentary by Lama Tsongkhapa on Madhyamakavatara. Lama Tsongkhapa, a 14th Century Tibetan saint-scholar, gives a thorough presentation of the meaning of Acharya Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara. This text delves into various difficult philosophical points, in order to understand the true import of Buddha’s teachings as elucidated by Arya Nagarjuna and Acharya Chandrakirti.

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COURSE DETAILS "#$%&'!&(%$"($%'!

Part - I will cover chapters 1-5 as well as the first half of chapter 6 on the selflessness of phenomena in Acharya Chandrakirti’s Entry into the Middle Way &

The course has been divided into two parts. !

Successful&completion of Part I and II will culminate in the award of a certificate. &

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(Madhyamakavatara) and Lama Tsongkhapa’s Uma Gongpa Rabsel.

Part – II will cover the second half of chapter 6 of Acharya Chandrakirti’s

Entry

into

the

Middle

Way

(Madhyamakavatara) and Lama Tsongkhapa’s Uma Gongpa Rabsel, which focus on the selflessness of persons, as well as chapters 7-10, and the chapter on Qualities and the Resultant Bhumi.

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Part - I: September 23 – October 7, 2014 Part- II: April, 2015 Venue: Swastigram Eco Ashram, Dehradun The Study Retreat will be held at Swastigram-Eco Ashram, located in the outskirts of Dehradun, bordering Rajaji National Park. Swastigram is a space conceived with a view to engender greater peace, compassion and a sense of harmony with the environment. Surrounded on three sides by a lush forest of sal trees, the tranquil environment of the ashram lends itself to the pursuit of meditation, yoga and other such spiritual practices.

Dehradun is situated in the northern Indian state of Uttaranchal, about 235 kilometres from Delhi. It lies at an altitude of 640 meters above sea level, with the Shivalik range to the south, the Ganges to the east and the Yamuna to the west.

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5:00 a.m.

Wake up

5:30 - 6:00 a.m.

Personal morning practice

6:00 -7:30 a.m.

Morning practice in congregation which will include: •

Prostrations

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10 minutes breathing meditation

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Morning prayers including reciting refuge and bodhicitta verses

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Meditation on four seals of the Buddha’s teachings

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Meditation on bodhicitta

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Generating aspirational bodhicitta and the wisdom of emptiness (reinforcing this with the moon and vajra at the heart)

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Breakfast and personal practice

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Teaching followed by Q&A - I

10:30-10:45 a.m.

Tea Break

10:45-11:30 a.m.

Group Discussion (Among the participants)

11:30-12:30 a.m.

Teaching followed by Q&A - II

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Lunch

1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Time for personal practice

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Teaching followed by Q&A – III

4:00 - 4:20 p.m.

Tea Break

4:20 - 5:20 p.m.

Group Discussion (with Geshe la)

5:20 - 7:00 p.m.

End Dedication Prayers

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Dinner

8:00 p.m.

Personal Practice and sleep (silence till next morning session)

*The schedule is subject to change during the course of the retreat

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! Entry into the Middle Way (Skt. Madhyamakavatara; Tib. Uma la Jukpa), Acharya Chandrakirti, Translated by Dr. Thubten Jinpa ! Thorough Elucidation of the Intent: An Extensive Exposition of “Entering the Middle Way” (Tib: Uma Gongpa Rabsel), Lama Tsongkhapa, Translated by Dr. Thubten Jinpa

! Ocean of Reasoning: A Great Commentary on Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamikakarika, Lama Tsongkhapa, Translated by Geshe Ngawang Samten and Jay L. Garfield, (Oxford University Press, 2006) ! Chapter 9 (Wisdom), A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Shantideva, Translated by Stephen Batchelor (Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1979)

! The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment Volume 3, Lama Tsongkhapa, Edited by Joshua W. C. Cutler, Translated by Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee, (Snow Lion Publications, 2004) ! How to See Yourself as You Really Are, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, (Rider & Co., 2008) ! A Flash of Lightening in the Dark of Night: A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, His

Holiness Dalai Lama, (Shambhala Publications, 1994) ! Practicing Wisdom: The Perfection of Shantideva's Bodhisattva Way, His Holiness Dalai Lama,

(Wisdom Publications, 2004) ! The Union of Bliss and Emptiness, His Holiness Dalai Lama, (Snow Lion Publications, 2009) ! Transcendent Wisdom, His Holiness Dalai Lama, (Snow Lion Publications, 2009)

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Study Retreat Application Procedure

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! Submission of registration form ! Commitment to attending the entire 15 days

The completed retreat registration form should be returned to Tibet House by email or post by July 31, 2014 at the latest.

Those interested in participating in this course should contact:

Tibet House 1 Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 110003 Tel: +91-11-2461 1515 E-mail: office@tibethouse.in Website: www.tibethouse.in

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Padmapani Study Scholarships !

In keeping with the vision of His Holiness Dalai Lama to enhance secular ethics and the study of philosophy of the Nalanda tradition, Tibet House is providing scholarships for students wanting to attend Tibet House Outstation Study Programmes.

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WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PADMAPANI SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE ‘ENTRY INTO THE MIDDLE WAY’ STUDY RETREAT.

Full scholarship: This will cover the cost of boarding, lodging and transport to and from Delhi to the Retreat Venue.

Partial scholarship:

Completed scholarship application form and all required documents should be sent to Tibet House

by July 31, 2014 at the latest.

This will cover 50% of the cost of accommodation, food and transport to and from Delhi to the Retreat Venue.

Criteria for applying for scholarship: 1. The applicant must be a student of a registered university.

2. At least one year of exposure to philosophy will be preferred.

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SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCEDURE WAY’ STUDY RETREAT:

FOR THE

‘ENTRY

INTO THE

1. Written application: Submission of a completed application form, along with•

500 word statement of purpose explaining your interest in the programme

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Up-to-date CV

2. Interview: Shortlisted applicants will be called to Tibet House for an interview.

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MIDDLE

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCOMODATION, COST OF RETREAT, REGISTRATION AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS PLEASE CONTACT:

Tibet House 1 Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003 Tel: +91-11-2461 1515 E-mail: office@tibethouse.in Website: www.tibethouse.in

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