Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter Eight: The Way of the Buddha

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

June 30, 2023

THE TEN STAGES: An Introduction to the Bodhisattva Path

Thursdays, 6:00 - 7:30pm (Pacific)

June 29 - August 31, 2023

Tuition: $300

The Ten Stages (bhūmi) describe the process of awakening (or ‘enlightenment’), from the initial determination to do so all the way to the attainment of Buddhahood. This ten-step rubric is the

foundation of the Bodhisattva Path and it comes from an early Mahāyāna sutra simply known as the Ten Stages Sutra, in which each stage is associated with different practices, teachings, and contemplation exercises. This course is a ten-week exploration of each Stage of the Path. We will read portions of the Ten Stages Sutra, explore commentaries of The Stages, and consider its relevance to our lives today.

EMPTINESS: The Wisdom of Nāgārjuna

Sundays, 9:00am - 10:30am (PT)

July 9 - August 26, 2023

Tuition: $250

Śūnyatā, translated most often as ’emptiness,’ is possibly the most difficult Buddhist concept to understand. In early Buddhist writings, the term is often synonymous with the concept of ‘no-self’ (anattā), or it is described as a meditative experience completely devoid of sensory perception. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, however, śūnyatā is more closely associated with the teaching of dependent-origination (pratītyasamutpāda) and is interpreted as the lack of inherent nature (svabhāva) of any individuated phenomena, self or otherwise. The primary teacher of Emptiness in this sense, and its broader implications, is undoubtedly the Indian Buddhist philosopher Nāgārjuna. This course is a line-by-line reading of Nāgārjuna’s commentarial poem the Śūnyatāsaptatikārikā (’Seventy Verses on Emptiness’).

For more information or to register go to www.LotusUnderground.com

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter Seven: Observing Sentient Beings

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

June 9, 2023

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter Six: The Inconceivable

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

May 19, 2023

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter Five: Mañjuśrī Inquires About Illness

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

May 5, 2023

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter Four: The Bodhisattvas

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

April 14, 2023

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter Three: The Disciples

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

March 31, 2023

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter Two: Expedient Means

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

March 8, 2023

The Irreversible Wheel: The Eight Schools of Buddhism

Saturdays, 9:00am - 10:30am

March 25 - May 13, 2023

Tuition: $250

Way of the Vajra: Introduction to Tantric Buddhism

Sundays, 9:00am - 10:30am

April 2 - May 21, 2023

Tuition: $250

Mother of Buddhas: The Perfection of Wisdom Sutra

Thursdays, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

April 6 - May 25, 2023

Tuition: $250

Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra

Chapter One: Buddha Lands

Translated and recited by M.C. Owens

February 17, 2023