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Second and Fourth Mondays from 6:00pm - 8:00pm PacificStarting April 12, 2021
Online via Zoom
~Our sister center, Land of Medicine Buddha, will offer review sessions with Ven. Steve Carlier on alternate weeks. See details below.~
Program Description:
"I bow to the one who, with no beginning, middle or end, has a serene stillness and is clear-minded and fully evolved, who became clear from his own aspects and once clear, shows fearless, constant paths of the mind to bring realization to those with no realization..." ~ Maitreya
One of the major texts studied in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana clarifies the meaning of our buddha potential, the tathagata essence, in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment.
The first chapter of this work which explains four related ‘vajra’ subjects - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha and tathagate essence - is the focus of this teaching. The root text and commentary will be provided.
The class is expected to run for the remainder of 2021.
Prerequisites:
Having completed at least some of the Discovering Buddhism modules or the equivalent. This is not a beginner level course. The class follows the FPMT Basic Program module, but is not being offered for certification. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Registration Information:
Advanced registration for this program is required. Once you register, you’ll receive a welcome letter with course materials and any additional details. The Zoom link will be included on your registration ticket/receipt.
Register using the Ticket link on this page, or through our website: https://tsechenlingcenter.ticketspice.com/the-tathagata-essence-with-gyumed-khensur-rinpoche-lobsang-jampa
Suggested donation per calendar quarter (classes and unlimited online access to video archive of teachings): $108
Course registration with sponsorship (practice generosity and help us spread the Dharma): $200/$350
Ordained sangha: Free of charge
No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please contact us at [email protected] to inquire.
About the Teacher:
Venerable Emeritus Abbot Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa (known as Geshe Trinley Topgye) was born in 1937 in Nyaktren, a sector of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. In 1947 at the age of 10, he gained admission to Sera Mey Monastery of the Sera Mahayana Monastic University near Lhasa – one of the three major seats of highest Buddhist studies.
In 1952, he received his novice monk vows from the late Minyag Tondues Rinpoche, the 95th Throne Holder of Gelugpa Tradition in Tibetan Buddhism. In 1959, he received the complete Bhikshu vows – the highest level of ordination – from His Eminence, the late Yongzin Ling Rinpoche, the 97th Throne Holder of Gelugpa Tradition and also senior Tutor to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Khensur Rinpoche studied in Tibet until 1959 when he fled to India after China invaded and forcefully occupied Tibet.
Rinpoche soon returned to his studies in the exiled Sera monastery, reconstructed under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political head of the Tibetan people. From 1959-70, he resided with more than 1500 monks from four Tibetan Buddhist sects at Buxar, an old British Army camp in West Bengal. In 1970, the monks of Sera Mey relocated to Mysore district in Karnataka State in southern India.
The monks reestablished Sera Mey Monastic University in Bylakuppe. Khensur Rinpoche continued his spiritual training and studies there with his characteristic dedication and enthusiasm. In 1986, he completed the final exam for a Geshe degree, and received the esteemed honor of Geshe Lharampa (equivalent to a Ph.D.), the highest level awarded.
From 1980 to the present, Khensur Rinpoche has continued to teach at Sera Mey Monastic University. In 1989, he assumed the position of Discipline Master for one year. Then in 1990, he received the advanced degree of Ngagrampa (highest degree in Buddhist Tantra studies) from Gyumed Tantric College after extensively studying the secret teachings of the Mahayana tradition.
In 1993, Khensur Rinpoche became Discipline Master of Gyumed. Monastic leaders soon after submitted his name and that of eight other prominent Geshes to the Dalai Lama as candidates for the post of Lama Umdze (Head Lama to lead all rituals) of the Tantric College. On January 7, 1994, the Dalai Lama selected Khensur Rinpoche to serve as the Lama Umdze, and on November 12, 1996, the Dalai Lama appointed him as the honorable Abbot of the Gyumed Tantric College.
During his term as Abbot of Gyumed, Khensur Rinpoche made his first visit to the USA and Canada to conduct various religious teachings and rituals at the request of the Gyumed College administrators and Western students. A considerable number of Westerners benefited from this initial tour. In 2003, he taught widely in Singapore and Malaysia.
Khensur Rinpoche is both a scholar of great knowledge and understanding, and a holder of many traditional teaching lineages. His generous presence and contributions to the Sera Mey Monastic University have proven indispensable. A living example of Buddha's teachings, he divides his time between personal meditation and practices, and teaching a growing network of Western and Tibetan students. He is highly qualified to teach on all levels of Buddhist practice and to conduct all Buddhist rituals.
Review Class with Ven. Steve Carlier:
Ven. Steve Carlier has kindly agreed to lead a review class via Zoom to benefit students attending the Tathagata Essence teachings with Khensur Rinpoche. Ven. Steve is the English language interpreter for Rinpoche’s class. The aim of the sessions is to go over the subject matter Rinpoche shared in the previous week’s class and address points where students need clarification.
Ven. Steve’s review sessions will be offered by our sister center, Land of Medicine Buddha, and will take place on alternate Monday evenings from 6:00-7:00pm, starting Monday April 19. For more information and to sign up for Ven. Steve's review sessions, please see LMB's website:
https://landofmedicinebuddha.org/calendar/
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Tse Chen Ling Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies, 302 Jules Ave, San Francisco, United States
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