Rime Shedra NYC Curriculum
The curriculum is presented in a ten to twelve week course of study using either one key text or a selection of representative texts to illustrate a variety of differing approaches or views on a topic. Classes are primarily in the form of a combination of “word” and “meaning” commentaries, which are traditional Tibetan ways of teaching. This consists of a close reading of the texts, going through them sentence by sentence and extrapolating upon their terminology and explaining both their specific and general meaning. Questions and other input from participants are encouraged throughout the class instead of waiting for the end of a presentation. This approach strengthens the discussion and helps to build a richer overall exploration of the text and the topics. For each course, we use either a published text, supplemented with handouts, or a sourcebook (usually also supplemented by more handouts). Syllabi, sourcebooks, handouts and recordings of all classes are made available here:
RimeShedra.NYC Podcast
Abhidharma
Identifying the Elements of Experience
The Gateway to Knowledge by Mipham
Part Three: Guidelines for Engagement
The Elements of Experience: A Condensed Presentation of the Essentials of the Abhidharma Systems
The Five Skandhas by Vasubandhu with commentary by Sthiramati
The Treasury of Abhidharma by Vasubandhu
Pramana
Sharpening the Mind through Reasoning
Lorik: Classifications of Mind by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
The Sword of Wisdom by Mipham with Commentary by Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche
The Miraculous Key to the Treasury of Knowledge by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
Pramana: A Condensed Presentation of the Essentials of the Buddhist System of Logic
Meditation
The Path of Realization
From Fright to Flight: Meditation & Wisdom in the Theravada Buddhist Traditions
Intellect and Intuition: Meditation & Wisdom in the Indian Mahayana Buddhist Tradition
Madhyamaka
The Gradual Unfolding of the Dharma
The Development of the Dharma in India: Based primarily upon Buton and Dudjom Rinpoche
The Development of the Dharma in Tibet: The Rime History of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great
The Stage of Views as Tenets
Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
Frameworks of Buddhist Philosophy: The Tenets section of Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge
The Sautrantika by Konchok Jigmey Wangpo
The Cittamatra and the Yogacara: The Three Natures by Vasubandhu and its Two Branch Traditions
The Provisional and Definitive Dimensions of the Dharma
The Levels of Understanding and the Distinguishing Points of the View
Gaining Certainty in the View of the Middle Way
Reading the Words of the Buddha: A Selection of Major Mahayana Sutras
Source Texts of the Madhyamaka: Selections from the Sutras, Arya Nagarjuna, and from Aryadeva
Madhyamaka: The Four Great Arguments - The Madhyamaka chapters of Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge
Radical Rejection: The Introduction to the Middle Way by Chandrakirti with commentary by Mipham and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
The Ornament of the Middle Way: Shantarakshita’s Madhyamakalamkara
Quibbling Over Nothing: Rangtong and Shentong Controversies in Tibet
The Lion’s Roar of Other Emptiness: Mipham and Botrul
Mipham’s The Beacon of Certainty with Commentary by Anyen Rinpoche
The Bodhisattva Path
Rules of Conduct as Precepts for Practice
Bodhicitta: Stages in the Path of Cultivating the Pure Bodhisattva Intention - The Entry into the Way of a Bodhisattva by Shantideva (chapters 1-8)
The Three Vows Tradition in the Lineages of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism
The Characteristics of the Stages of Maturity
The Gradual Stages of the Path: The Lamp for the Path by Atisha and Its Tradition
Where is it all Going? A Detailed Exploration of the Paths of Accumulation and Joining
The Ornament of Higher Realization: Abhisamayalankara of Maitreya with Commentaries