The Tibetan Buddhist Path: Wisdom and Compassion

This opening module provides an overview of Mahayana and begins with a review of the foundational teachings and the importance of mindfulness-awareness meditation. From there, we enter the bodhisattva path through the study of absolute and relative bodhicitta.

Students will explore heart-opening practices such as tonglen and loving-kindness meditation while also beginning to engage the teachings on emptiness. Topics include the way of the bodhisattva, ultimate and relative bodhicitta, the four limitless qualities, twofold egolessness, and becoming a bodhisattva.

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This module introduces the paramitas, the transcendent activities of the bodhisattva as the practical methods for developing generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and wisdom. These teachings show how the Mahayana path is not merely philosophical, but lived through conduct, relationship, and everyday action.

Throughout the module, we examine the characteristics of each paramita practice, with emphasis on threefold purity. We also explore how prajna functions as the intelligence needed to work skillfully with others, and how post-meditation practice transforms ordinary activities into sacred action rooted in nonaggression and basic goodness.

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This module introduces mind training, or lojong, as a set of practical guidelines for cultivating the wisdom and skillful means of the bodhisattva path. The slogans become pithy reminders that bring meditation off the cushion and into everyday life.

We explore the four reminders, ultimate and relative bodhicitta as they apply to lojong, and the practice of tonglen or sending and receiving. The emphasis throughout is on using these teachings to transform difficulty, deepen compassion, and act with greater clarity in the midst of ordinary experience.

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This module dives into the fundamental Mahayana teachings of shunyata, by guiding students through progressive stages of understanding emptiness. Rather than leaving emptiness as a philosophical abstraction, we approach it through logical analysis, contemplations, and direct exercises that make it relevant to daily life.

The curriculum moves through the stages of Shravakayana, Cittamatra, Svatantrika, Prasangika, and Shentong, with supporting readings. The module concludes with review and integration.

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