Esoteric Buddhism
An exploration of Buddhist spiritual technology minus the cultural overlays!
This will be an ongoing modulated exploration…. Mondays 5-7pm pst, starting November 1st. Offered by monthly donation
Buddhist Ethics
Exploring the Buddha's explanation of mental afflictions and the cause of Suffering. In depth study of the 10 non- virtuous actions there results. We'll follow commentaries on the Vinaya Sutra. 4-5 weeks
Inner workings of Karma
Ethics only matters if we understand Karma and its results. Exploration of the 4 parts to a karmic imprint, its 4 results, and the 4 remedy powers for nullifying its results. 8-10 weeks
Four Arya Truths
These were the very first teachings given by the Buddha. Lineages can be understood by how they interpret these initial teachings. 4-6 weeks
Bodhichitta & Lojong
Heart Training, to understanding the teachings on compassion. As well as the role of compassion in full enlightenment. 8-10 weeks
6 Perfections
These are the 6 activities which perfect us! They are also the level which highly accomplished beings use to progress on route to full enlightenment  8-10 weeks
*Disclaimer* I am not a recognized Buddhist Lama, nor has any Buddhist teacher given me their blessing to teach this! There are many qualified teachers that I can send people to! I will regularly direct us to study under them. Namely Garchen Rinpoche, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Lama Glenn Mullin, Lama Jhampa, Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Tulku Sherdor, Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche, Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche
I am teaching this because I see a gap in how Buddhism is being taught in the West and I see the fundamentals that we will explore being skipped over in order to get fancy empowerments.Â
I fear that the cultural and hierarchal baggage of Buddhism could hinder its ability to create the next generation of accomplished practitioners in the West (and otherwise). The Old Masters who formally trained in Tibet are almost all gone and many who came to the West have left a complex legacy. While we parse through this it is 100% possible that Buddhism will cease as an intact living lineage and will become more rigid, instead of more relevant.Â
So we must explore the concepts, we must accomplish their goal, and achieve the ultimate result of these teachings. And if anyone is curious about whe specific teachings we will be exploring, this is an exploration of the "Open" Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhist teachings primarily from a Tibetan Gelugpa Madyamika perspective and follow texts which are translated by Geshe Michael Roach and available at ACIDharma.com, along with the insights of the teacher aforementioned. Â
