Wednesday Buddhist Shedra Class
The ‘Bodhisattva's Way of Life’ by Shantideva:
2010 - 2011 teaching program
In the Wednesday Nights classes with Zimwock Rinpoche, key Tibetan Texts are translated and discussed in detail. The current main texts covered are the ‘Bodhisattva's Way of Life’ by Shantideva, and "Letter to King Gautamiputra" by Nagarjuna.
These are foundational Mahayana texts which are directly applicable to modern life. They cover the main Buddhist concepts and core Mahayana teachings, and at the same time sprovide a deeper perspective into Tibetan Buddhism which is relevant to more advanced students.
The Bodhicharyavatara, or Way of the Bodhisattva, composed by the eighth-century Indian master Shantideva, has occupied an important place in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition throughout its history. It is a guide to cultivating the mind of enlightenment through generating the qualities of love, compassion, generosity, and patience.
Shantideva’s Way of the Bodhisattva is a guide for anyone seeking to cultivate the mind of enlightenment and is presented in the form of a personal meditation in verse, amking it easy to read and follow. The text outlines "the path of the Bodhisattvas"—those who renounce the peace of individual enlightenment, and vow to continue to work for the liberation of all beings and to attain Buddhahood for their sake
8 September 2010: Started the new teaching cycle of the "Way of the Bodhisatva" text by Shantideva with HE Zimwock Rinpoche from the first chapter.
2e February 2011: An introductory overview of this important text by Shantideva, with a synopsis of the text sections which were already covered by Zimwock Rinpoche in the preceding months (September to December 2010). For those with a interrested in this important text of the Tibetan Mahayana Buddhist tradition, this session can be a practical way to get a condensed review of "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life". Following the introductory review of the sections already covered, teaching will resume from chapter 6.
On the 8th June 2011 we are starting The Wisdom Chapter of Shantideva’s "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life an (Chapter 9). The teaching will then resume from chapter 9 (wisdom paramita) on the 22e of June after the teaching of HH The Dalai Lama in Melbourne. New students are welcome to attend when Zimwock Rinpoche resumes this teaching, and those who are not familiar yet with this text are encouraged to read the previous chapters in preparation.
New students are welcome to attend and are encouraged to read the previous chapters in preparation
Teachings extend over sequential weeks in 2010 and will go into the second semester of 2011. The regular Wednesday evening dharma classes are usually only interrupted by school holiday weeks (allowing those with children and other commitments to focus on family activities). Please check our website notice board for the exact schedule
This text is suitable for beginners as well as seniors students, and teachings will proceed over several months. All welcome !
Cost - $15 per session : Members $10.00
Please note: Wednesday class start time 7.15 pm
For a summary of the text Download Brief Teaching Summary In PDF Form.
For those who don't have the textbook and might require a copy of the text Download A Guide To A Bodhisattvas Way Of Life.PDF.
An article on Shantideva's teachings was recently found by Rinpoche in an Australian Holistic Magazine ( "Nova"), and provides an interesting modern perspective on this historical text. shantideva_part_2.html
Call Jamchen Buddhist Centre on 9857 3612 for venue and enrolment.
