Download here - Vajrayana Institute

Awakening the limitless potential of your mind
achieving all peace and happiness
www.vajrayana.com.au
About the FPMT Discovering Buddhism Program
The Discovering Buddhism program is the result
of the combined efforts of a number of FPMT
teachers and spiritual program coordinators,
under the guidance and advice of our Spiritual
Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It is a 2-year
course for which students may receive a
certificate of completion upon fulfillment of all
requirements.
The aim of the Discovering Buddhism program is
to give participants a solid footing in the practice
of Mahayana Buddhism. By engaging in this
program, participants will gain an experiential
taste of the Buddha’s teachings, some retreat
experience, and the skills they need to make their
lives most meaningful.
This program is not designed as an academic
study of Buddhism but is intended to change your
life.
About the structure of DB
Each cycle of the DB program will run for two years and consists of
13 core modules and 1 Special Integration Experiences module.
New students can join the DB at the beginning of any module.
Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the DB
program to gain its maximum benefits. It is also possible to engage
in DB at your level of interest and commitment, selecting specific
modules and components of the program that best suit your needs.
Completion of all the modules and requirements of the DB program
is necessary to qualify for its completion certificate.
Each core module introduces students to an essential aspect of the
Buddha’s teaching. This will take place through:
 A series of lectures on Monday evenings, which incorporates
guided meditation and discussion, as well as additional
reading materials.
 A retreat day on one Sunday to explore the topic and deepen
one’s understanding and experience through meditations.
 An assignment to consolidate the learning in the module.
The final module of “Special Integration Experiences” includes a list
of practices and retreats that augment the whole experience. These
practices call for a deeper commitment of time and energy in the
Buddhist path. Discuss with our DB teachers when you feel ready to
embark on this journey.
About the teacher
Ven Thubten Chokyi is the Spiritual Program Coordinator for VI
and is also one of our esteemed teachers. She is the Director for
Liberation Prison Project, a social services project affliated to FPMT
that offers spiritual advice and Buddhist teachings to people in
prison.
The curriculum for the Discovering Buddhism Program includes:
Semester 1, 2014
1. Mind and Its Potential
Examine what is “mind,” its nature and function, and how it affects
our experience of happiness and suffering. Come explore the
differentiation between mind and brain, mind as the creator of our
experiences, and the implications of possessing a mind that has no
beginning and no end. In addition, learn methods to transform
destructive thoughts and attitudes and create a positive and joyous
mind.
2. How to Meditate
Learn the definition and purpose of meditation, how to sit, how to set
up a meditation session, the different meditation techniques one
may employ, and how to recognize and deal with obstacles to
meditation.
3. Presenting the Path
Get an overview of the entire Tibetan Buddhist path to awakening.
Hear about the life story of the Buddha and study the basic
teachings of Buddhism. Discover the unique system for putting
Buddhist philosophy into practice contained in the lam-rim, or
“graduated path to enlightenment.”
4. The Spiritual Teacher
Take the time to investigate the role of the teacher on the spiritual
path: the need for a teacher, the qualities of a teacher, the qualities
of a student, and how to relate to a teacher for greatest benefit in
one’s spiritual life. Consider the challenges we face when thinking of
entering into a “teacher-disciple” relationship and learn how to
overcome these skillfully.
Semester 2, 2014
5. Death and Rebirth
Explore the process of death and rebirth and its impact on how we
live our lives. Be guided in skillful reflection on the meaning of death
and what to expect at the death-time. Learn to fulfill your purpose in
life, resolve conflicts, and develop the skills to help both yourself and
others at the time of death. Eventually, through Buddhist practice,
one can develop a different relationship with death altogether.
6. All About Karma
Learn the essential facts about the law of cause and effect and
generate a clear understanding about how karma works. Discover
effective tools to accumulate merit - the cause of happiness and
success - and purify mistaken actions done in the past. In addition,
explore ways to become adept at dealing with life most effectively
and thereby take control of your future.
7. Refuge in the Three Jewels
Get informed about what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels
(Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), and the essential practices of
refuge. Find out more about the advantage of taking lay vows and
their role in enhancing our spiritual growth.
Semester 1, 2015
8. Establishing a Daily Practice
Assemble the tools you need to develop a successful daily practice
and find out the elements necessary to generate realizations. Get
some tips for making every action meaningful.
9. Samsara and Nirvana
Investigate what “samsara” is and how we are stuck in it. Find out
what “nirvana” is and how to achieve it. Learn how to be free from
suffering and empower yourself with practical tools to deal with and
eliminate disturbing emotions forever.
10. How to Develop Bodhichitta
Come discover the clear meditation instruction available in Tibetan
Buddhism that enables us to develop our innate qualities of loving
kindness and compassion. Become skilled at applying these
techniques to generate the mind of bodhichitta, the wish to attain
enlightenment for the benefit of others, known to be the heart of
Buddha’s teachings.
Semester 2, 2015
11. Transforming Problems
Consider well the disadvantages of self-centredness and the
advantages of cherishing others more than ourselves. Get inspired
to “exchange yourself with others,” and then be guided in how to
employ the special techniques of mind training or “lo-jong” as a
means to transform problems into happiness and learn to like
problems as much as ice cream!
12. Wisdom of Emptiness
The realization of emptiness is crucial for the attainment of liberation
and enlightenment. Take this opportunity to enhance your ability to
bring about this realization. Learn how to develop calm abiding and
different methods to use in meditation on emptiness. Practice
accumulation of merit and purification of obstacles - indispensable
for generating realizations within the mind.
13. Introduction to Tantra
Learn the definition of tantra, how tantra works and why it is a
powerful form of practice. Get a broad overview of the four classes
of tantra and learn how to practice simple Kriya tantric methods. In
addition, find out how to integrate the practices of tantra with the
other topics in the DB for optimal results.
Special Integration Experiences
14. Special Integration Experiences
This can be undertaken at any time during the DB program and after
one has finished studying all the modules. This includes four
practices: (1) a two-week lam-rim retreat, (2) the practice of 100,000
prostrations to 35 Buddhas, (3) a 3-month Vajrasattva retreat, and
two Nyung Nä or fasting retreat. This is a great way to seal the
blessings of this program! Talk to our DB teachers for more details.
Discovering Buddhism
with Ven Chokyi
Program Details for January-June 2014:
Times: Lectures on Mondays 7.00-9.00pm; discussion 6.30pm
Retreat day on Sunday 10am-3.30pm
Venue: Vajrayana Institute, 9 Victoria Square Ashfield NSW
Mind & Its Potential
Course: 3, 10, 17, 24 February ; 3 March (5 weeks);
Retreat day: Sunday 2 March
Cost: $125/$115 member (inc. retreat)
How to Meditate
Course: 17, 24, 31 March ; 7, 14 April (5 weeks)
Retreat day: Sunday 27 April
Cost: $125/$115 member (inc. retreat)
Presenting the Path
Course: 28 April; 5, 12, 19 May (4 weeks)
Retreat day: Sunday 25 May
Cost: $105/$95 member (inc. retreat)
The Spiritual Teacher
Course: 26 May; 2, 16, 23 June (4 weeks)
Retreat day: Sunday 22 June
Cost: $105/$95 member (inc. retreat)
Register online at www.vajrayana.com.au/DB
About Vajrayana Institute
Vajrayana Institute ("VI") is a centre for the study and development of the mind
in accordance with the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism. VI is a non-profit
incorporated association that is affiliated with the Foundation for the
Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition ("FPMT").