On-line Student Handbook

WIS

DO

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International Master’s in the Preservation and Development of Wisdom Culture and the Art of Liberation(Master’s in Wisdom)

January 2012-December 2013

ON-LINE COURSESTUDENT HANDBOOK

Istituto Lama Tzong KhapaInternational School for Buddhist Studies

ON-LINE COURSE

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Master’s in Wisdom

2012/2013

© Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, 2011

All rights reserved.

The information contained herein is meant for students of the On-line Course in parallel to the

International Master’s in the Preservation and Development of Wisdom Culture and the Art of Liberation

offered by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy in collaboration with Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Pomaia

(Pisa), Italy.

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PRESERVATION

OF THE MAHAYANA TRADITION (FPMT)

1

Lama Tzong Khapa Institute is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. The FPMT is an international, non-profit organization, founded in 1975, devoted to the worldwide transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values through teaching, meditation, and community service. It provides integrated education through which people’s minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility. The FPMT is committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion. The organization is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tzong Khapa of Tibet as taught by its founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe, and its spiritual director, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

The FPMT strives to follow the example and inspiration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his compassionate service to humanity.

FPMT Education Services has developed Buddhist study programs of varying levels under the guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the FPMT resident teachers, and senior students.

All these study programs are characterized by four important components:

• accurate academic understanding of Buddhist philosophy,

• regular meditation practice, • exemplary conduct, and • social service.

In addition to Buddhist education, the FPMT is also active in developing related educational projects including the Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo Translator Program, a four-year interpreter training based in Dharamsala, India; and Essential Education, which brings Buddhist understanding and values into secular society, in particular schools, prisons, hospitals, hospices, etc.

EDUCATION Introductory

level programs

• Buddhism in a

Nutshell

• Meditation 101

• Advice for Death and

Dying

Intermediate

level programs

• Discovering Buddhism

• The Foundation of

Buddhist Thought

• Living in the Path

Advanced

level programs

• Basic Program

• Masters Program

While a range of

programs are taught in

many FPMT centers, the

Masters Program is

unique to Lama Tzong

Khapa Institute.

SERVICE • Liberation Prison

Project

• Leprosy Clinics

• Polio Clinics

• Amdo Eye Clinic

• Health and Nutrition

Clinics

• Hospices

• Maitreya Project

• Publishing Houses

• Essential Education

Schools

For more information www.fpmt.org

ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA International School of Buddhist Studies

2

Lama Tzong Khapa Institute was established in 1977 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as a place for the study and practice of Buddhism in the Tibetan tradition of Lama Tzong Khapa. Since then it has grown to become an international school for Buddhist studies and practice, attracting students from around the world who are interested in deepening their understanding of the mind through intensive study of Buddhist philosophy and psychology accompanied by the introspective methodology of meditation and active service.

• Education: The Institute offers high quality courses and study programs on subjects related to Tibetan Buddhism as well as on a wide variety of interdisciplinary fields.

• Research: The Institute is involved in initiating and collaborating on research projects aimed at discovering the nature of the mind and the self, examining the body-mind

complex, determining the short and long-term effects of meditation, etc., using rigorous scientific methodology.

• Service: The Institute promotes and supports initiatives that contribute to the general well-being of the larger community with particular emphasis on the young and their families, the terminally ill, and the imprisoned.

• Preservation: The Institute is engaged in making an important contribution to the preservation of knowledge contained in ancient Buddhist scriptures through the translation from Tibetan into both English and Italian, as well as through the publication of scriptures and teachings. It also organizes courses and events that support the preservation of Tibetan culture and the freedom of Tibet.

MISSION STATEMENT Lama Tzong Khapa

Institute is an

international school for

the study and practice

of Buddhism at

introductory,

intermediate, and

advanced levels.

The lineage stems from

Nagarjuna and the

other Nalanda pandits

of ancient India, to

Lama Tzong Khapa,

founder of the Gelug

tradition of Tibetan

Buddhism, and our

present-day teachers.

The Institute is

dedicated to fostering

the development of the

human qualities of

kindness, compassion,

and wisdom with an

approach that

integrates study,

meditation, and service.

To achieve this goal, the

Institute offers a wide

range of activities

encompassed in the

four fields of Education,

Service, Research, and

Preservation, each of

which supports and

enhances the other. For more information

www.activities.iltk.org

ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA Education

3

Introductory level programs Lama Tzong Khapa Institute offers four introductory programs to Tibetan Buddhism and meditation:

Buddhism in a Nutshell is an FPMT program that consists of a single weekend of classes and meditation sessions that provide a broad overview of Buddhism in general, and the Buddhist tradition of Tibet in particular. The course focuses on the nature of the mind; 'the four noble truths,' the Buddha's renowned teaching explaining the causes of difficulties and problems and their solutions; and the two spiritual 'wings' of compassion and wisdom. It also provides a very brief introduction to meditation.

Meditation 101 is an FPMT program that consists of a single weekend of classes and meditation sessions that provide a brief overview of the subject of meditation in the context of Buddhism. The course examines common misunderstandings regarding meditation and looks at how meditation is in reality a profound tool for transforming and developing the inner mental qualities that bring about peace and happiness. This course is suitable for those completely new to meditation.

The Foundations of Buddhism is an ILTK program consisting of four weekends of classes and meditation sessions loosely centered around 'the four noble truths' which describe the true nature of suffering, the true source of suffering, the true end to suffering, and the true way to cease suffering and achieve lasting happiness. It also provides an introduction to meditation as a tool for dealing with suffering and achieving genuine inner peace and happiness.

Advice for Death and Dying is an FPMT program that consists of two weekend modules offered once a year at the Institute. In module 1, the subject of death and dying is examined in the context of Tibetan Buddhism with a view to helping oneself and others understand and prepare for this important and inevitable moment of life. In module 2, specific Tibetan Buddhist prayers, practices, and rituals are taught in order to help oneself and others die with a peaceful and virtuous mind and thereby take a good rebirth.

SPIRITUAL EDUCATION The Institute offers a

wide range of courses

and retreats on

Buddhism, especially

on subjects related to

Tibetan Buddhism in

the tradition of Lama

Tzong Khapa.

These courses vary

from short weekend

courses with Tibetan

masters and Western

teachers to regular

introductory,

intermediate, and

advanced level

programs, as well as

specialized tantric

courses and retreats

for advanced Buddhist

practitioners.

The Institute also hosts

courses in other

Buddhist and spiritual

traditions.


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Intermediate level programs The three intermediate level programs include regular meditation sessions and retreat:

Discovering Buddhism is an FPMT program consisting of 13 teaching modules taught in 13 weekends over a two-year period,

accompanied by a 14th practice module of specific individual spiritual practices that can be done wherever and whenever students wish. The set of 13 teaching modules offer a clear and structured presentation of the key elements of the spiritual path of Tibetan Buddhism with a view to providing participants with a basis for further study and enabling them to establish a personal meditation practice.

Wisdom & Compassion: The True Source of Genuine Happiness is an annual six-week course developed by the Institute that covers the key topics of Mahayana Buddhism, beginning with the four noble truths up to the development of wisdom and compassion. Classes are held Monday to Friday, accompanied by daily sessions of meditation and ample time for discussion and questions. On Saturdays, participants visit the historic cities of Tuscany.

Living in the Path is an FPMT program based on a commentary given over a period of several years by Lama Zopa Rinpoche on Atisha's

Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment. It consists of video, audio, and text materials drawn from the teachings and supplemented by materials from the archive of Lama Yeshe's teachings. Lama Tzong Khapa Institute plans to offer this program in Italian in 2012.

INTER‐DISCIPLINARY EDUCATION In the field of

Interdisciplinary

Education, the Institute

hosts courses,

seminars, and

conventions in

collaboration with

associations that cover

a variety of topics,

many of which are

based on the knowledge

of the human mind and

ethical and empathic

values contained in the

Buddhist teachings.


5

Advanced level academic programs Lama Tzong Khapa Institute is renowned for the excellent quality of its advanced-level academic programs of Buddhist philosophy and psychology. These programs are taught by highly qualified Tibetan teachers supported by qualified Western teaching staff, many of whom are graduates of previous academic programs held at ILTK.

The Master's in Wisdom is a two-year intensive program combining study, meditation, and service offered in collaboration with the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, a university located in Pisa. It consists of eight of the nine core subjects of the FPMT Basic Program. (A detailed description of the parallel on-line program can be found in this handbook, from page 7.)

The Masters Program of Advanced Buddhist Philosophical Studies of Sutra and Tantra is offered exclusively at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute. This seven-year program consists of four years of sutra studies, two years of tantric studies, and one year of solitary retreat. It is offered both as an on-campus and on-line course. The main aim of the on-campus course is to produce highly qualified Western teachers of Buddhist philosophy and psychology.

Advanced level tantra programs Lama Tzong Khapa Institute organizes tantric empowerments and commentaries with qualified Tibetan lamas throughout the year. An annual tantric retreat led by a qualified Western practitioner takes place between February and March.

The study of the Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra included in the curriculum of the FPMT Basic Program will be offered as an intensive summer course in 2013. It is open to the students of the Master's in Wisdom, as well as to Buddhist practitioners who are familiar with the lam-rim teachings and have previously received a Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment.

The Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra (April to December 2012) and the Guhyasamaja Tantra (January to June 2013), which are included in the curriculum of the Masters Program, are advanced on-campus and on-line programs that take place nine months a year. Applicants must be familiar with the lam-rim teachings and have received the appropriate Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment.

ONLINE COURSES On-line courses offered

by the Institute include:

Buddhism in

a Nutshell

(in Italian)

Meditation 101

(in Italian)

Discovering

Buddhism

(in Italian)

Basic Program

(in Italian)

Online course

in parallel to

the Master’s

in Wisdom

(in English)

Masters Program

(in English & Italian)

ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA Service – Research – Preservation

6

RESEARCH Recent years have seen a rising interest amongst scientists, philosophers, and psychologists in the Buddhist understanding of the human mind and the nature of the self, as well as the practical methods of meditation and mind training aimed at enhancing the human qualities of kindness, compassion, and wisdom. This interest has resulted in numerous research projects that range from functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brains of meditators, to studies of the efficacy of mindfulness meditation in reducing stress. As the findings of many of these research projects support and encourage Buddhist practitioners to persevere in their practice, the Institute is dedicated to both initiating and collaborating in research studies in this field. The Institute is collaborating with Prof. Massimo Bergamasco of the Sant’Anna School for Advanced Studies in founding The Gomo Tulku Center for Mind Research.

PRESERVATION The Institute engages in various types of activities in support of preserving the Buddhist tradition: the translation from Tibetan into English and Italian of Buddhist scriptures and their publication; the recording and archiving of the numerous Buddhist teachings given by qualified teachers of the tradition in a period of more than 30 years; the construction of holy objects such as temples, stupas, and prayer wheels; the preservation of Buddhist art forms including the painting and sculpting of sacred images; and the hosting of important events such as the Maitreya Project Relic Tour.

In addition the Institute’s community regularly participates in activities in support of the preservation of Tibetan culture through hosting Tibetan language courses, organizing courses on Tibetan traditional medicine and healing techniques, participating in inter-religious dialogues, and attending peace marches and conferences in favor of the freedom of Tibet.

SERVICE Lama Tzong Khapa

Institute offers service

to the larger community

in a variety of ways.

Liberation Prison Project

provides a Buddhist-

based education to

inmates in Italian

prisons – supplying

them with reading

materials and courses;

Essential Education

offers educational

camps for parents and

their children; Giving

Protection supports the

right for people of

diverse spiritual

traditions facing the end

of their life to receive

appropriate spiritual

assistance; and the

Yeshe Norbu Association

helps support the

Tibetan refugees in

India and Nepal through

a long distance adoption

project. The Institute

also offers support to

the sick, the troubled,

the dying, and those

who have died through

performing regular

prayer ceremonies for

the alleviation of their

suffering.

7

The Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies is an autonomous, special-statute public institution for university level education in the field of applied sciences. It offers opportunities for research and advanced undergraduate and graduate training in the fields of social sciences (economics and management, law, and political science) and experimental sciences (engineering, medicine, and agricultural science).

The School was established in 1987 as a “Scuola Superiore”, a special status almost unique in the Italian academic system. Through the autonomy and flexibility that characterize this special status, the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies aims to establish new trends in research and education in response to society’s demands for modernization and innovation in these two areas. Created as a college of excellence for particularly deserving students enrolled in the University of Pisa,

the School has increased its educational range over the years with an increasing number of specialized degrees and Master’s courses.

Over the past decade, in particular, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies has oriented its educational and research activities in an international direction in order to enrich its wealth of relationships, knowledge, and skills, and to receive an ever-greater stimulus for improvement.

The School’s main aims are:

• to promote the development of culture, scientific and technological research, and innovation;

• to offer and oversee quality undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education;

• to ensure continuing interaction between research and education.

For more

information

www.sssup.it

THE SCHOOL & THE INSTITUTE The Collaboration

8

The collaboration between Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and Lama Tzong Khapa Institute is born out of a mutual interest in the study of the human mind from scientific, philosophical, and psychological points of view, not merely for the acquisition of intellectual knowledge, but with the specific aim of furthering the development of positive qualities such as altruism, empathy, compassion, tolerance, and kindness.

The collaboration is expected to include on-going initiatives in both education and research in the following areas:

• Mind Science

• Buddhist philosophical studies for the understanding of mind and the nature of reality

• Meditation as an innovative method for introspective analysis

• Compassion, empathy and altruism in diverse environments

• Ethics for the new millennium

Initially the collaboration is to be based principally on three joint projects:

• The International Master’s in the Preservation and Development of Wisdom Culture and the Art of Liberation (Master’s in Wisdom) and the parallel On-line Course

• Five annual parallel seminars in the field of Mind Science

• The Gomo Tulku Center for Mind Research

MASTER’S IN WISDOM OBJECTIVES The Master’s in Wisdom

is an advanced study

program of Buddhist

philosophy and

psychology

accompanied by a

strong emphasis on

meditation practice and

altruistic service.

In line with this

scholarly and, at the

same time,

contemplative tradition,

it combines a rigorous

scientific and logical

analysis with a direct

experiential and

introspective approach

in order to gain

profound insight into

the mind, the nature of

the self, and

conventional and

ultimate reality.

In addition, it promotes

the development of

inner qualities such as

empathy, compassion,

and kindness with a

view to overcoming

destructive emotions,

such as anger and

selfishness, and

cultivating the genuine

wish to be of benefit to

others.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Overview

9

Overview WHAT IT IS: The on-line course run in parallel to the full-time ‘International Master’s in the Preservation and Development of Wisdom Culture and the Art of Liberation’ (Master’s in Wisdom) is also offered by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies), Pisa, Italy, in collaboration with Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, Pomaia (Pisa), Italy. (A detailed description of the Master’s in Wisdom can be found in the Student Handbook at www.education.iltk.org/ wisdom/studenthandbook.)

Like the Master’s in Wisdom, the on-line course is an advanced study program of Buddhist philosophy and psychology, accompanied by a strong emphasis on meditation practice and altruistic service, aimed at cultivating the inner qualities of kindness, compassion, and wisdom.

The on-line course consists in lectures in video/audio format and guidelines for meditations in audio/text format, supplemented by reading materials, regular quizzes and exams, a forum for discussion, and project work aimed at serving others.

FOR WHO: Applicants should have a sincere interest in and a strong motivation for the study of the mind, according to a Buddhist perspective, as well as the development of inner qualities such as wisdom and compassion. As this is an advanced academic program, applicants are recommended to have engaged in previous Buddhist studies and meditation practice in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition. They must also demonstrate an acceptable level of spoken and written English. Applicants are not required to possess a university degree.

BY WHOM: The on-line course is taught by Ven. Kevin Middleton, a graduate of the residential Basic Program held at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in 2005-2007, and a student of the present seven-year Masters Program. Kevin previously taught the Stages of the Path – one of the main subjects of the Basic Program – as an on-line course organized by the Institute in collaboration with a Buddhist study group in the Czech Republic, 2008-2009.

WHERE: All study materials – video, audio, and text files – as well as on-line quizzes and exams and the forum are found on Lama Tzong Khapa Institute’s on-line learning site (which is very easy to access and use).

THE FPMT BASIC PROGRAM The modules included in

the on-line course in

parallel to the Master’s

in Wisdom comprise

eight of the nine core

subjects of the Basic

Program curriculum.

The ninth module of the

Basic Program – the

Grounds and Paths of

Secret Mantra – will be

taught separately as a

non-accredited on-line

course in the summer of

2013.

On-line students who:

• successfully complete

the 8 modules,

• fulfill the

requirements for the

Grounds and Paths of

Secret Mantra,

• review all nine

subjects and pass the

final comprehensive

exam, and

• complete a one-month

retreat (either during

or after the course)

will – in addition to

obtaining 20 university

credits – also qualify for

the FPMT Basic Program

Homestudy Completion

Certificate.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Overview

10

LENGTH: 2 years.

WHEN: Begins January 2012 and concludes December 2013, with classes nine months a year – January to June and September to December.

COURSE STRUCTURE: The curriculum for both the Master’s in Wisdom and the on-line course consists in the following eight modules:

OUTCOME: Students who complete the academic, meditation, and project work components of the on-line course will be granted 20 university credits by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna.

LANGUAGE: The language of instruction is English.

TUITION FEE: €750.00 for each of the two years.

APPLICATIONS for the on-line course can be submitted: from 15th December 2010 to 30th November 2011.

ON‐LINE REVIEW AND FINAL EXAM In order to qualify for

the Basic Program

Homestudy Completion

Certificate, students

who have completed the

on-line course, as well

as the Grounds and

Paths of Secret Mantra,

can participate in an on-

line review in

preparation for the final

exam. The on-line

review will take place

over a period of 3 to 6

months during the first

half of 2014, and the

final comprehensive

exam will likely be

scheduled for the

summer of 2014.

ONE‐MONTH RETREAT Students can do the

one-month retreat at

any time during or after

the on-line course.

This retreat CANNOT be

broken up into shorter

periods totaling a

month; it must be done

in one entire month.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Curriculum

11

1. Foundations of the Buddhist Path: An Overview of the Stages of the Path to Awakening This module is based on the text Middle Length Exposition of the Stages of the Path composed by the renowned Tibetan scholar of the Gelug tradition Lama Tzong Khapa (1357-1419), who wrote extensive commentaries on almost every aspect of Buddhist philosophy and practice. This particular genre of text (Tib. lam rim) draws upon the original teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, which are included in numerous volumes of discourses (sutras), as well as upon the texts of other highly accomplished Indian scholars, such as Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti. This clearly structured text enables an individual to identify the steps that need to be contemplated and practiced in order to progress from an originally self-centered attitude that seeks to obtain immediate happiness for oneself, to an ever-increasing altruistic attitude that puts others’ happiness before one’s own.

Students begin by examining how rare and fragile this human life is and discuss the inevitability of death so as to discern what makes life truly meaningful. They then proceed to contemplate the Buddha’s renowned teachings on the law of cause and effect, so as to correctly identify the respective

causes – wholesome and unwholesome actions – that lead to happiness and suffering. They then study the Four Noble Truths, which reveal the extent to which we are permeated by dissatisfaction and suffering as long as we continue to engage in actions that are harmful to ourselves and others, and as long as we continue to permit such destructive emotions as anger and pride to arise in our minds. The texts sets out in detail the means to attain lasting happiness through ethical and altruistic conduct, the cultivation of a deep state of introspective concentration, and the development of insight into the nature of the self, the mind, and the phenomenal world.

2. Transforming the Mind Through Recognizing the Faults of Self-Centeredness The Mahayana path is characterized by the aspiration to become a buddha, a fully awakened being, so as to be of benefit to others. One of the main tools that is applied to develop and enhance this extraordinary attitude is revealed in a genre of teachings, at once practical and radical, known as ‘mind training,’ or ‘thought transformation’. Dharmarakshita’s Wheel of Sharp Weapons is one of the most esteemed mind training teachings, and a powerful tool to

The eight modules

included in both the

on-line course in

parallel to the

Master’s in Wisdom

and the Basic

Program are:

1. Foundations of the

Buddhist Path: An

Overview of the Stages

of the Path to

Awakening

2. Transforming the

Mind Through

Recognizing the Faults

of Self-Centeredness

3. Mind and Cognition:

A Presentation of

Buddhist Psychology

4. Philosophical

Systems: The Buddhist

Schools of Ancient India

5. Final Nature of Mind:

A Study of the Limitless

Potential of the Mind

6. Cultivating Altruistic

Conduct Leading to

Awakening

7. Nature of Reality: An

Explanation of the Heart

of the Perfection of

Wisdom

8. Application in

Complete Aspects:

Identifying the Topics of

Meditation and the

Minds that Meditate on

Them


12

cut through our true enemies – the grasping at a concrete independent self and the egoism that opposes our true empathic and altruistic nature. It reveals why, as long as we continue to think only of ourselves, we will never be able to find lasting peace and happiness, whereas the minute we eradicate all selfishness and open our hearts to others we will begin to cultivate lasting contentment. The exposition of the causes of happiness and suffering is based on the law of causality and the understanding that any action we do has long-lasting effects upon ourselves and the people around us. These teachings are meant to be put into practice whenever we encounter difficult life situations, so that gradually we are able to bring about a profound and lasting change in our present attitude. Other well-known texts in this genre include The Eight Verses of Mind Training by Langri Tangpa and The Seven-Point Mind Training by Geshe Chekawa.

3. Mind and Cognition: A Presentation of Buddhist Psychology This module is based on the study of two texts. The first, Explanation of the Presentation of Objects and Subjects, and Mind and Cognition by Yongdzin Purbu Chog, sets out the main types of mind or cognition, including the

various types of direct perception and inferential cognition. In particular this text looks at the various types of mind that play a role in attaining an ever-deeper understanding of reality. These minds range from an initially mistaken conception, to a doubt leaning toward the factual, to a correct assumption based on an unproven belief, to a correct analytical deduction, and then, in some cases in which the mind is particularly trained, to a direct perception of reality, including subtle momentary change and the lack of independent or intrinsic existence, that cannot be perceived by a distracted and untrained mind.

The second text, Kachen Yeshe Gyaltsen’s Clear Exposition of the Modes of Minds and Mental Factors: A Necklace for Those of Clear Mind provides an excellent introduction to Buddhist psychology. In particular, it defines the positive and negative emotions and mental states that contribute respectively to states of contentment and dissatisfaction.

4. Philosophical Systems: The Buddhist Schools of Ancient India Based on the idea that the Buddha taught different notions to different people according to their mental capacities and dispositions, Tibetan scholars

The extra ninth module

that is included in the

Basic Program, but not

in the Master’s in

Wisdom:

9. THE GROUNDS AND PATHS OF SECRET MANTRA This text offers a

concise overview of the

structure of the tantric

path, widely acclaimed

in Tibet as the swiftest

and most sublime

means to realize

buddhahood. Tantra

distinguishes itself in

particular through a

unique combination of

method and wisdom,

achieved through

meditation on the

perfect form of a

buddha as completely

devoid of true

existence. Kirti Lobsang

Trinley’s commentary –

A Brief Presentation of

the Path of Vajrayana –

presents the most

important features of

the four classes of

tantra as well as the

procedures related to

empowerment and the

particularities of the

deity yoga related to

each class.


13

systemized the numerous trends in Indian Buddhist thought into four schools of tenets. Each system is seen as a stepping stone to the next, thus providing a gradual approach to the most profound philosophical teachings. The text that is the basis for study of this module, Presentation of Tenets by the Tibetan author Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen, gives an overview of each of the schools’ assertions on the different types of minds and their objects, the doctrine of no self, and the nature of spiritual attainments, culminating in the tenets of the most highly esteemed school, the Madhyamaka or Middle Way. This short text, which synthesizes a vast amount of literature on these subjects, provides the basis for much reflection and discussion about our own views of the mind, the self, and the external world.

5. Final Nature of Mind: A Study of the Limitless Potential of the Mind In this course a fundamental question is raised: What is it that permits our mind to develop the limitless potential of a fully awakened being, a buddha? The first chapter of Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum (Sanskrit, Uttaratantra), The Tathagata Essence, or Buddha Nature, clarifies that an understanding of our ‘buddha potential’ is based on an understanding of the ultimate

nature of the mind – its emptiness of intrinsic existence. The commentary by Gyaltsab Je, Commentary on Maitreya’s ‘Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana’ further clarifies that it is this very nature of a mind presently obscured by a covering of mental afflictions that allows for its evolution to the state of complete awakening. The view that all mental afflictions – anger, attachment, ignorance, pride, jealousy, etc. – can be completely eradicated from the mind, an apparently radical and startling concept, is presented using reasoning based on analogies.

6. Cultivating Altruistic Conduct Leading to Awakening The module is based on Shantideva’s inspirational verses on Mahayana aspiration and practice, Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds (Sanskrit, Bodhisattvacaryavatara). Although composed more than a thousand years ago, it is still widely regarded as the most authentic and complete guide for a person dedicated to achieving his own and others’ ultimate well-being. This highest of motivations – “For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world” – lies at the heart of this guide. The text ranges in scope from practical techniques for


14

developing generosity, cultivating patience, and dealing with destructive emotions, up to an extremely refined debate between the different Buddhist philosophical systems on the definition of ultimate reality. The study of this text by Shantideva is based on commentaries by the Tibetan masters Dragpa Gyeltsen and Gyeltsab Je.

7. Nature of Reality: An Explanation of the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Among the most famous of all the Buddhist scriptures, The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Sanskrit, Prajñahrdayasutra) (commonly referred to as the ‘Heart Sutra’) reveals the doctrine of ‘no self’ through a short exchange between two of the Buddha’s most illustrious followers, Avalokiteshvara and Shariputra. The commentary by Tendar Lharampa, Jewel Light Illuminating the Meaning: A Commentary to the Heart of Wisdom, expands on the cryptic style of the sutra to clarify the exact nature of reality in relation to the five levels of spiritual attainment on the path to awakening. This short discourse touches upon many of the fundamental points of Buddhist philosophy, including the Four Noble Truths and the interplay between, on the one hand, the emptiness of intrinsic nature of

the self and all phenomena, and, on the other, the interdependent existence of the self and all phenomena.

8. Application in Complete Aspects: Identifying the Topics of Meditation and the Minds that Meditate on Them This module begins with an overview of Jetsün Chökyi Gyaltsen’s Seventy Topics, a condensed guide to the seventy topics covered in Maitreya’s Ornament of Clear Realizations (Sanskrit, Abhisamayalamkara), an important scripture that reveals the levels of spiritual realization that are otherwise presented only in a hidden manner in the Buddha’s Perfection of Wisdom teachings. Once students have become familiar with the context, this course proceeds to analyze the eleven topics presented in the fourth chapter, entitled ‘Application in Complete Aspects,’ of Maitreya’s text. This chapter discusses the obstacles and practices that must be taken into account in order to progress on the five paths and the ten grounds of spiritual realization presented in Mahayana Buddhism. In particular, it identifies 173 objects of meditation and the corresponding minds that meditate on them according to the Svatantrika Madhyamaka school.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Format

15

The On-line Course begins January 16th, 2011 and concludes December 13th, 2013. The course takes place nine months a year, from January to June and from September to December.

CLASSES Each week a total of two approximately one-hour classes in video/audio format, together with related reading materials, are posted on the website. Prior to listening to the classes, students should – at least ideally – have already read the required reading material for that week. Then, in the two classes the teacher guides students through the text, highlighting and explaining the most important points. It is recommended to take notes while listening to these classes as, together with the accompanying reading materials, they form the basis for the quizzes and exams.

MEDITATION The On-line Course, like the Master’s in Wisdom, employs meditation as a powerful tool for increasing awareness of both the conventional and ultimate natures of our reality, and for eliminating negative metal states and cultivating positive ones. Meditation in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, in particular, is done with the aim of developing an ever-stronger altruistic attitude and sense of

responsibility for the well-being of other beings.

During the first module of the On-line Course, the teacher will explain the basic techniques of concentrative and analytical meditation, and guide meditations on a variety of topics, giving cues as to what the student should be concentrating on or thinking about. As students progress, they will be given more time to engage in silent meditation on a specific topic based either on a very brief explanation or on written guidelines.

Students are expected to perform a total of 1 hour of meditation a week, either in three 20-minute sessions or two 30-minute sessions. They are required to keep a weekly log of the time they spend in meditation during each one of the 8 modules, and to briefly record their meditation experience. The time log is to be submitted at the end of each module

PROJECT WORK Because the positive attitudes developed through study and meditation need to be further developed and perfected in active interaction with others, on-line students are required to engage in a project aimed at developing qualities such as kindness, empathy, and altruism. This project should be of benefit to

Dates of the On‐line Course January 16th, 2011 to

December 13th, 2013

Orientation

Beginning January 11th,

2012, students can start

to access and become

familiar with the on-line

site (which is very easy

to use!), where they will

find various

presentations of the

on-line course and the

Master’s in Wisdom.

Weekly Schedule Classes

Two 1-hour sessions a

week in video and a

quiz every 1-2 weeks

Meditations

One hour of meditation

a week, to be done

either in three 20-

minute sessions or two

30-minute sessions

Project Work

A minimum total of 60

hours between

September 3rd, 2012

and October 31st, 2013


16

others and can involve a wide variety of volunteer work, such as helping the young, the elderly, the disabled, the sick, the imprisoned, etc.

Between September 3rd, 2012 and October 31st, 2013, online students are required to engage in a minimum total of 60 hours of project work. Students must submit a proposal for a project no later than June 30th, 2012. Students are encouraged to be creative and to use this as an opportunity to be of real service to others.

The proposal will be evaluated by the academic staff and the student will be informed whether it has been approved by September 1st, 2012. If the proposal is not accepted, the academic staff will suggest modifications and the student will be given until September 30th, 2012 to submit a new proposal.

Students must keep a log of how many hours they dedicate to project work. This log is to be submitted at the conclusion of the project work together with a report outlining the project’s outcome.

STUDY MATERIALS All study materials – video, audio, and text files – are accessible on the Institute’s on-line learning site. On-line students are given a

login and password enabling access to the site. These materials include video/audio recordings of weekly classes, guidelines for meditation sessions, files of the main texts studied in the eight modules, on-line quizzes and exams, and various types of supplementary study materials. The cost of these study materials is included in the annual tuition fee.

FORUMS, CHATS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKS Students receive support in their studies from the on-line teacher and other students via the forum on the on-line learning site. Here students can ask their questions, share their opinions, and air their doubts. The forum is monitored on a weekly basis by the on-line teacher, who intervenes when necessary to clarify difficult points and answer questions. Students are encouraged to participate in the forum to get to know each other and to become part of an international student body. Other means of communication that will be used to encourage interaction between students on a more personal level include social network systems like Facebook and Twitter. The on-line teacher may also occasionally engage in group chat sessions with students (time zones permitting).


17

ESTIMATED STUDY TIME While the amount of time needed to cover the material will vary from student to student, in order to keep up with the pace of the program, it is advised that students on a weekly basis:

• read and study the relevant section of the text under study,

• listen to the two classes, • do the total of 1 hour of

meditation. It is therefore estimated that a minimum of 6-8 hours of week are necessary.

Students can choose whether to do the 60 hours of project work altogether in a short period of time, or to spread it out over the 13-month period from September 3rd, 2012 to October 31st, 2013.

While it is highly recommended that students listen to the classes, complete the quizzes, and do the meditations the same week that they are posted on the website, this is not obligatory. In the case of time constraints and other difficulties, students may listen to the classes, complete the quiz, and do the required hour of meditation at a later date. However, it is necessary to have listened to all the classes, completed all the quizzes, and done all the required hours of meditation in relation to a particular module in order to write

the exam for that specific module. Therefore, students should be careful not to fall too far behind.

A request for an exception to the required participation for each component of the course (see below) for a justified reason that includes illness, family problems, necessary administrative procedures, etc. can be submitted to the academic staff.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS On-line students need a computer with a decent internet connection. Only a few basic computer programs are necessary to open the text, audio, and video files. These include Microsoft Word or OpenOffice Writer and Adobe Acrobat. We suggest VLC Media Player for all audio and video files. This program is free of charge and can be downloaded at www.videolan.org/vlc.

Don’t worry, the on-line learning site is actually very easy to use! It is based on an open-source program called Moodle, which is widely used for on-line learning courses all over the world. This interface does not require any specific knowledge or skills, but just in case, the IT staff at the Institute is always at hand to help solve any technical difficulties..

www.moodle.com

THE ON-LINE COURSE Course Components

18

The On-line Course consists of three accredited components:

1. Academic component – 8 modules consisting of 2 hours of classes a week in video/audio from January 16th, 2012 to December 13th, 2013, for a total of 120 hours (excluding individual study).

2. Meditation component – a minimum of 1 hour of meditation a week from January 16th, 2012 to December 13th, 2013, for a total of 60 hours.

3. Project work component – a total of 60 hours of project work from September 3rd, 2012 to October 31st, 2013.

__________________________

In order to be conferred 20 university credits, on-line students must:

1. complete the academic component through obtaining 12 credits by:

• listening to 100% of the video/audio classes related to all 8 modules,

• completing 100% of the quizzes related to each of the 8 modules, and

• achieving a minimum mark of 50% on the exams related to the 8 modules;

2. complete the meditation component through obtaining 4 credits by:

• performing a minimum total of 1 hour of meditation a week during each one of the 8 modules, for a total of 62 hours of meditation,

• keeping a log of the times and length of meditation sessions,

• recording a brief account of their meditation experience and insights at the end of each meditation session, and

• passing four written evaluations in relation to meditation practice;

3. complete the project work component through obtaining 4 credits by:

• completing a minimum total of 60 hours of project work between September 3rd, 2012 and October 31st, 2013,

• submitting a brief report of the outcome of the project, and

• passing the evaluation by the academic staff;

4. meet the standards for attitude and behavior for students of the Master’s, as determined by the administrative and teaching staff (see page 22).

SUMMARY The acquisition of

credits is subject to

acquiring a minimum of

20 university credits

(CFU/ECTS) through

successfully completing

the academic,

meditation, and project

work components,

including passing all 8

exams and fulfilling the

minimum participation

requirements, in

relation to each of the 8

modules.

A student who fails to

satisfy one or more of

the above requirements

will not be eligible for

any credits.

A student who

withdraws from or is

expelled from the On-

line Course will not

receive any credits,

even though he/she

may have successfully

completed the

requirements for one or

more modules.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Conferral of Credits

19

YEA

R 1

- 2

01

2

Modules Video/audio

classes

Meditation Project

work

Foundations of the Path 16 January-7 June 2012

16 wks, 2 hrs a wk (32 hours)

16 wks, 1 hr a wk (16 hours)

N/A

Transforming the Mind 11-29 June 2012



Mind and Cognition 3 Sept.-25 October 2012



60 hours

Philosophical Systems 29 Oct.-14 Dec. 2012



YEA

R 2

- 2

01

3

Final Nature of Mind 14 Jan.-14 Feb. 2013



Cultivating Altruistic Conduct 18 Feb.-28 June 2013



Nature of Reality 2-19 September 2013



Application in Complete Aspects 23 Sept.-13 Dec. 2013



TOTAL HOURS/CREDITS (124 hours)

12 credits

(62 hours)

4 credits

(60 hours)

4 credits

Accreditation Each module consists of an academic component, a meditation component, and a project component. All three components of all eight modules must be successfully completed, and a student must meet the attitude and behavior criteria in order to qualify for the 20 credits.

Additional credits for attending the supplementary three-day seminars and summer intensives will be granted to those students who have successfully completed all other components of the On-line Course.

Credits At the end of the On-line Course, those students who have successfully completed the academic, meditation, and project work components in relation to each one of the 8 modules, including having passed all the exams and having met the minimum participation requirements, as delineated by the Rules and Regulations of the On-line Course, will receive 20 university credits (CFU/ECTS) in accordance with art. 3 of D.M. 207/2004, from the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna.

OPTIONAL CREDITS Parallel to the On-line

Course, every academic

year five optional three-

day seminars will be

organized at the

Sant’Anna School for

Advanced Studies with

the purpose of

presenting research by

internationally

renowned scientists and

researchers working in

the field of Mind

Science, as well as by

well-known Buddhist

scholars and

contemplatives. These

seminars are worth one

credit each. On-line

students can also

qualify for these credits.

The number of credits

assigned for the

optional summer

intensives will be

communicated some

months in advance.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Evaluation Procedures

20

Academic component

Quizzes There is a quiz/test every 1-2 weeks during each module. Students are expected to complete 100% of these quizzes in order to qualify to pass an individual module; however, the marks on these quizzes will not be counted.

Exams Each module has one on-line exam at the end. The exams are created by the academic staff on the basis of the material covered in class and on the quizzes. Exams are graded on a total of 100 marks. Questions in true-false, multiple choice, and other suitable formats account for 100% of the total grade.

Students must obtain an average grade of 50% and above on the exam related to a specific module in order to pass it.

The on-line exam is available for a range of time, generally for four days, so as to give flexibility to students with busy schedules, as well as to take into account the different time zones of the students. The on-line exam is formatted such that once it has been opened, it must be done immediately, as once closed it is not possible to open it again.

Students must submit an honor statement attesting to the fact that it is they who wrote the exam and that they did so without making use of printed or on-line resources.

Students are exempted from writing the exam on the scheduled date only if they have a valid reason such as illness, serious family problems, etc. In this case, a new date for the exam will be set, generally within 2-3 weeks of the original exam date.

Students who fail an exam will be given one opportunity to do another oral or written exam. Students who fail this oral or written exam will not qualify to pass the specific module and therefore will not be eligible for any university credits.

Only students who obtain a passing grade on all 8 exams related to the 8 modules and successfully complete all other components of the On-line Course will be eligible for credits.

EXAM DATES 2012

1. Foundations of the

Path: 7-10 June 2012

2. Transforming the

Mind:

29 June-2 July 2012

3. Mind and

Cognition:

25-28 October 2012

4. Philosophical

Systems:

14-17 December 2012

2013

5. Final Nature of

Mind:

14-17 February 2013

6. Cultivating

Altruistic Conduct:

28 June-1 July 2013

7. Nature of Reality:

19-22 September 2013

8. Application in

Complete Aspects:

13-16 December 2013


21

Meditation Students are expected to do a total of 1 hour of meditation per week on the specific topic/s, either in two 30-minute sessions or in three 20-minute sessions. Students are required to keep a weekly log of the length and topic of their meditation sessions. This log is to be submitted at the end of each module.

At the end of every meditation session, students must write a very brief account of the meditation and record any insights they gained while meditating on that topic. A random check will be performed from time to time in which students will be asked to submit a page from these records. Students’ progress in meditation will be monitored through a written evaluation twice a year. These evaluations will test students’ understanding of meditation in general, as well as their specific understanding of the particular topics of meditation examined in the On-line Course.

Students must successfully complete the required number of hours of meditation for each of the 8 modules and pass all 4 written evaluations in order to complete the On-line Course and be eligible for the 20 credits.

Students who do not complete the required number of hours of meditation for each of the 8 modules and/or do not pass all 4 written evaluations will not pass the On-line Course and will not be eligible for any credits.

Project Work At the completion of the project work, a student must submit a log of the time dedicated to the project together with a report outlining the project and its outcome. The project must be completed and the report submitted no later than October 31st, 2013. The report will be evaluated by the academic staff in terms of the final outcome of the project and its benefit to others.

Students must receive a minimum score of 20/30 on the project work. Students who fail the project work component of the On-line Course will not be eligible for the 20 credits.

A student who does not complete the required minimum of 60 hours of project work and/or whose project work does not pass the evaluation with a minimum score of 20/30 is not eligible for the 20 credits.

In the case of an unsatisfactory evaluation Students who are

judged ineligible for the

meditation component

can appeal to the

Academic Board for a

re-evaluation. Students

who do not pass this re-

evaluation will not be

eligible for credits.

Likewise, a student

whose project work is

considered

unsatisfactory by the

Project Committee can

appeal to the Academic

Board for re-evaluation.

If the Academic Board

is not satisfied with the

student’s project work,

the Academic Board

may choose to propose

an alternative project.

If the student does not

agree to this alternative

project or does not

carry it out

satisfactorily, the

student will not be

conferred credits.


22

Attitude and Behavior The classes, meditations, and project work components of the On-line Course are directed exclusively at fostering the development of wisdom and compassion. These and other qualities are necessarily based upon a strong code of ethics that takes into consideration the effect of one’s actions on others. As students of the On-line Course are expected be sincerely and seriously working to eliminate destructive emotions and cultivate positive qualities, they are expected to refrain from:

• any form of physical abuse of humans and animals, such as killing (including hunting and fishing), punching, striking, etc.,

• any form of stealing, including appropriating, misusing, and damaging others’ property,

• any form of sexual misconduct, such as adultery,

• any form of lying and cheating, including misrepresentation of themselves, plagiarism on exams, feigning sickness to defer an exam, etc.,

• taking any form of mind-altering substances,

• drinking immoderate amounts of alcohol.

At the end of the On-line Course, students will be asked to sign an honor statement in which they declare that they strove to refrain from all these activities.

In addition, on-line students must have a suitable attitude and behavior as determined by the academic staff from a student’s communications with staff and other students via the on-line forum, emails, chats, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

On-line students who are found to engage in inappropriate behavior will be evaluated by the Ethical Committee of Lama Tzong Khapa Institute. The Ethical Committee is responsible for deciding what action to take and for determining whether a student should be expelled from the On-line Course.

A student whose attitude or behavior is deemed unacceptable by the Ethical Committee can be expelled at any time from the On-line Course. A student who is expelled from the On-line Course will not receive any credits, even though he/she may have successfully completed the requirements for one or more modules.

.

THE MASTER’S IN WISDOM Staff

23

Teaching Staff

On-line Teacher Kevin Middleton completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Geography at Birmingham University, UK, specializing in Environmental Management, Ecology and Climatic Change. After a stint working for advertising agencies in London, he worked in the travel industry in the United Kingdom and Australia. Inspired by his travels in India, Nepal, and Tibet, he began to attend courses on Buddhism in London, comple-mented by more intensive studies in Nepal, including two one-month courses at Kopan Monastery. From 2001 to 2004 Kevin continued Buddhist studies at Tara Institute in Melbourne, and for one year served as a palliative care volunteer. In 2004, he completed the first year of a Bachelor of Nursing at Latrobe University, Melbourne, before moving to Italy in 2005 to join the Basic Program in Buddhist Studies at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute. After graduating from the three-year program, he enrolled in the seven-year Masters Program of Advanced Buddhist Philosophical Studies. In 2008-2009 he taught the Stages of the Path as part of an on-line Basic Program for a group of students based in the Czech Republic.

Administrative Staff

SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA

Master’s in Wisdom Supervisor Prof. Massimo Bergamasco

Division of Higher Education The Director Prof. Maria Chiara Carrozza

Coordination of the Master’s and Training Programmes Division Process Manager Roberta Chiordi [email protected]

Manager Institutional Courses and Master’s Silvia Marcacci

ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA

Study Program Coordinator Joan Nicell - [email protected]

Assistant Study Program Coordinator Federica Sagretti - [email protected]

Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Prof. Massimo

Bergamasco

is full professor of

Applied Mechanics at

Sant’Anna where he

teaches courses on the

Mechanics of Robots

and Perception. He

founded the Perceptual

Robotics Laboratory in

1991, and currently

leads research projects

in the fields of Virtual

Environments and

Cognitive

Rehabilitation. In 2010,

he initiated the

collaboration between

the School and the

Institute that led to the

Master’s in Wisdom and

the parallel On-line

Course. He plans to

establish the Gomo

Tulku Center for Mind

Research in 2011.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Application and Selection Process

24

Application Process Applicants for the On-line Course should read the Call before completing the application form, both of which are available at www. sssup.it/wisdom. Applicants are strongly advised to provide a detailed description of their motivation in the relevant compulsory section of the application form.

Applicants must also submit the following documentation preferably in electronic format:

• a curriculum vitae covering education, cultural, and professional experiences, including previous experience in the fields of Mind Science and Buddhist studies;

• copies of degree certificates and/or academic transcripts (if applicable);

• a statement of interest (this should include a discussion of reasons for applying to this On-line Course, how the topics relate to one’s personal and/or professional life, and how one intends to use this training afterward);

• two reference letters; • scan of valid passport or other

ID; • a recent passport-size photo, • any other useful documentation

for the assessment (English knowledge certificates, GRE)

Applications for admission to the On-line Course must be submitted, as detailed above, no later than November 30th, 2011, 11.00 pm CET (Central European Time).

Selection process Applications will be examined by the Admissions Committee, a subset of the Academic Board, at regular intervals beginning from May 31st, 2011 up to the submission deadline, November 30th, 2011. The Admissions Committee will select applicants by awarding up to 100 points to their qualifications (curriculum and titles) according to the following criteria:

• relevant related experience, including previous Buddhist studies and meditation practice – up to 50 points;

• academic curriculum (consistency of the curriculum and dissertation with the contents of the Master’s, average marks received on exams, award of the Graduate Record Examinations, GRE) – up to 20 points;

• motivation and reference letters – up to 20 points; and

• English language skills – up to 10 points.

Applicants who obtain a

minimum score of

50/100 will be admitted

to the On-line Course,

up to a maximum of

120 positions.

Results of the selection

process will be

published on the

website of the Master’s

no more than one

month after the

selection process has

been completed.

Applicants will also be

notified by email of the

result of the selection.

In case of withdrawal,

applicants ranked in the

list below the 120th

position in the order of

scores (provided that it

is above 50/100) will be

admitted to the On-line

Course.

THE ON-LINE COURSE Tuition Fees

25

The annual tuition fee for the On-line Course is €750.00 for each of the two years. It includes

• access to the on-line learning site and all study materials including weekly classes in video/audio format, guidelines for meditation sessions in audio and text format, required readings, on-line quizzes and exams, and various supplementary study materials,

• support from the on-line teacher via the forum and occasional group chats,

• technical support from the Institute’s IT staff to resolve problems with accessing the on-line site and downloading and opening study materials,

• the five annual three-day seminars organized at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna,

• attendance at weekend courses taught by the Institute’s resident teachers during the academic year and a discount on fees for other courses in Buddhist studies.

The annual tuition fee does not include:

• on-line summer courses such as the Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra,

• the review period in preparation for the final exam scheduled for 2014,

• attendance at the Master’s classes, tutorials, meditation sessions, and retreats held at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute.

Students who are accepted into the on-line course prior to September 1st, 2011 are required to pay the full tuition fee for the first year by September 1st, 2011. Those who are accepted after September 1st, 2011 are required to pay the full tuition fee within two weeks of receiving confirmation of their acceptance into the On-line Course.

Students who subsequently withdraw from the On-line Course before November 31st, 2011 will be reimbursed 50% of the fee. Students who withdraw (or are expelled) from the On-line Course between November 31st, 2011 and October 31st, 2012 will not be eligible for reimbursement of the tuition fee.

The full tuition fee for the second year must be paid by November 1st, 2012. Students who withdraw (or are expelled) after this date will not be eligible for any reimbursement of the tuition fee.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Study Program

Coordinator

Joan Nicell

[email protected]

Assistant Study

Program Coordinator

Federica Sagretti

[email protected]

More information about

Lama Tzong Khapa

Institute can be found

in the Master’s in

Wisdom Student

Handbook at:

www.education.iltk.org/

wisdom/

studenthandbook

On-line students are

welcome to visit the

Institute at any time to

meet the staff and

students of the Master’s

in Wisdom.

Master’s in Wisdom and

On-line Course website:

www.education.iltk.

org/wisdom

To apply

www.sssup.it/

wisdom

ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA The Community

26

Lama Tzong Khapa Institute is a very active center with courses ranging from one weekend to seven years in length! Every weekend two to four courses on various topics take place, bringing 30-90 people to the Institute. In addition, the seven-year Masters Program in Advanced Buddhist Studies, with classes Monday to Friday, has more than 50 full-time students, many of whom live at the Institute. These students have come from all over the world to participate in this unique program designed to train Western students of Buddhism to become qualified teachers.

The two resident Tibetan teachers, almost 30 monks and nuns, and numerous lay practitioners make the Institute into a true place upholding the teachings of the Buddha.

In addition, the large number of staff, supported by a group of hard-working volunteers, keep all the various sectors of the Institute up and running including reception, the shop, coffee bar, Japanese tea garden, kitchen and house cleaning, maintenance, garden, library, publishing house, and translation office.

MAHAYANA MINDFULNESS Lama Tzong Khapa

Institute is a place for

people to work on

changing their normal

attitude and behavior so

as to become better

human beings. This

involves cultivating

respect and care for

other beings as well as

for the environment.

On-line students are, of course, more than welcome to visit Lama Tzong Khapa Institute at any time!

ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA The Place

27

The Institute's main building houses a beautiful Tuscan-Tibetan meditation hall, a conference room, two dining halls, a library, several office areas, Shiné Jewelry, and rooms and dormitories for staff, volunteers, and guests.

A small restored chapel dedicated to the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig, and set in a secluded wooded area on the property, is an ideal place for small courses and retreats.

A small private house – the villetta – is home to the Institute's two resident teachers, Khensur Jampa Tegchok and Geshe Tenzin Tenphel, and also hosts visiting lamas.

The grounds include four stupas (reliquary monuments for important teachers who have passed away), a prayer wheel containing 21 billion mantras of the Buddha of Compassion, several stone buddha statues, a statue of Lama Thubten Yeshe, the founder of the FPMT, an elaborately carved wooden statue of Padmasambhava, a Japanese tea garden, strings of colorful prayer flags, a small pond filled with gold fish, more than 200 olive trees, and fields of lavender, sage, and rosemary.

Chenrezig Gompa

outside

Chenrezig Gompa

inside

Tara on the dome of the

Chenrezig Gompa

ISTITUTO LAMA TZONG KHAPA Student Life

28

What do the students do when it comes time to relax?

they can go for walks in the countryside…

sip a tea in the Japanese Tea Garden…

delight in the beautiful countryside…

stretch out on the veranda and listen to a Dharma teaching or your favorite music…

enjoy a delicious cappuccino or an ice cream at the coffee bar…

and relax in the warm sunshine at the beach!

When they are not

attending classes,

meditating,

or attending pujas,

29

Come visit Lama Tzong Khapa Institute

and enjoy a taste of studying in Tuscany!

On-line Student Handbook

Documents

Transcript of On-line Student Handbook