Video Program: Examining the Two Truths, Year II
2011 Shedra Teachings on The Adornment of the Middle Way
"In the Christian mystic tradition there is a meditation on what God is not. I find this heartwarming, because what else would God be other than tötral (the non-conceptual nature of everything)."
--Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Talk 8
The heart of The Adornment of the Middle Way shedra concerns our understanding of the relative and absolute truths as we progress on the spiritual path. In a spirited and invigorating program, Rinpoche opens up this classic text that includes Ju Mipham's historic commentary.
Building on last year's (Year I) teachings, in this stand-alone program Kongtrul Rinpoche comments extensively on tötral: the unadorned, ultimate nature of all experience. He explains, "Tötral is not something you can search for outside or behind your mind. Your present state of mind--no matter what is happening within it--must become tötral in the full experience of meditation." Rinpoche also shares:
- how all our negative emotions, as well our mistaken view of reality, arise as the result of our misguided notions of a self
- methods for transcending our "small self," to embrace a view that abounds with bodhicitta
- why studying shedra teachings contributes directly to our genuine progress on the spiritual path
Traditionally, the shedra format is set within a monastic college of higher learning, the course of study lasting through years of arduous intellectual engagement. However, with MSB's shedra program, Rinpoche has made these teachings available to a wide variety of participants--those new to Buddhism as well as those who have studied with him for many years. He is renowned for his skill in connecting complex philosophical concepts with the everyday life and practice of his listeners. These talks are rich with anecdotes, personal insight, and lively audience participation.
With your purchase of this shedra program on DVD, you are actively expressing your support for archiving the teachings of Kongtrul Rinpoche on video, to preserve them for current and future generations. All of the funds from sales will support Rinpoche's activities and the preservation of his teachings. Wisdom Productions operates with a 100 percent volunteer staff.
Captured on high-quality video in the intimate setting of Phuntsok Choling, Rinpoche's center in Ward, Colorado.
14 Talks on 7 DVDs. Packaged in a hard-cover wallet.
Special Combined Offer:
PURCHASE Year I and Year II Shedra DVDs for $195.
As part of our continued effort to capture video of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche for current and future generations of students, Wisdom Productions filmed the annual Shedra program in the intimate setting of Phuntsok Choling, Mangala Shri Bhuti's center near Boulder, Colorado. Once again these teachings proved to be a gem--a brilliant blend of scholarly commentary, firm encouragement, and applied discourse on emptiness teachings. We are proud to offer the complete program on DVD.
In this seminar taught over four weekends in September 2010, Kongtrul Rinpoche offers direct and personal teachings on one of the most subtle and easily misunderstood aspects of Buddhist philosophy, the two truths: relative and absolute. The heart of this fascinating discourse relates to how we utilize the two truths to progress on our path and work with our daily lives, yet in the final analysis understand our nature to be beyond all concepts (tötral).
This year, we began to study Shantarakshita's The Adornment of the Middle Way or Madhyamakalankara, with commentary by Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche. In his presentation, Kongtrul Rinpoche introduces the Svatantrika school's understanding of the relative through the Three Natures, and how the Yogachara school dovetails this view with the Prasangika understanding of the ultimate truth. In his words, this approach, which is unique for its time, forms the "heart treasure of Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche's point of view of the Madhyamaka." As a complement to the material, Kongtrul Rinpoche offers several expansive and thought-provoking talks, elaborating on topics he has emphasized throughout the year. He encourages us to use our critical intelligence on our path to investigate what's beyond conceptual mind, and to be "modern-day philosophers." Other topics include:
Running time: Approximately 27 hours.
Video Program: Examining the Two Truths, Year I
2010 Shedra Teachings on The Adornment of the Middle Way
Clip: Lifting the Veil of Conceptual Mind
Confusion vs. enlightenment
Choosing between a world of suffering and a world of bliss
The advantage of having the Buddha's teachings available to us as human beings
Analyzing our experience through the Three Natures: Be a Yogacharan pundit
We thank you for voting to support the video archive of Kongtrul Rinpoche's teachings through purchasing this Shedra program on DVD. All of the funds from sales go to support Rinpoche's activities and the preservation of his teachings. Wisdom Productions operates with a 100 percent volunteer staff.
18 Talks on 10 DVDs. Packaged in a hard-cover wallet.
Running time: 38 hours, 18 minutes.
