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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").