Knowing the Nature of the Objective World
The Ground of Wisdom is Clearly Knowing What Is
Rime Shedra Foundation Course 101
14 Tuesdays, September 13 to December 20, 2022
Source Text: Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics Volume One: The Physical World, Conceived and Introduced by HH The Dalai Lama, Edited by Thupten Jinpa, and compiled by The Compendium Compilation Committee, Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2017
In the traditional Tibetan Shedra curriculum, one begins with a series of introductory primers on the topics presented in each of the five core texts of the shedra curriculum. We will study these primers for the entire first year of a new three-year progressive curriculum focused on Tibetan Madhyamaka. We will study the key texts of that in years two and three.
This first text provides an entry into the deeper study of Abhidharma, encapsulated in the shedra curriculum as the Abhidharmakosha by Vasubandhu, and is called The Collected Topics, or Dudra in Tibetan. Without understanding the material presented in this introductory text it is very hard to really understand the meaning of the Madhyamaka texts.
The focus of this text is the universe of knowables, knowable objects, that which can be known. The approach is systematic and starts with the various types of knowable objects in terms of their ontological entity. This includes the various types of matter, minds or consciousnesses and the accompanying mental states or mental factors. This also includes what are mysteriously called “non-associated formations” – an odd assortment of topics featuring what one might call the powers operative in our world. Next is the study of the various ways that objects interact with each other, primarily as causes or effects, and the various conditions supporting these. And lastly, is the way that objects are ascertained by subjects, that is, by the mind of a person. This section describes in a practical way how our conceptual mind builds the world we live in.
When I was first introduced to this text it completely changed the way I understand the dharma. I felt like I finally understood the notion of dharmas, which is the foundation for all subsequent aspects of the path, from conduct to meditation to wisdom. I am happy to be sharing this material with you.
This course will be the beginning of the first progressive curriculum in the history of Rime Shedra NYC. For the past 18 years, through over 50 courses, we have explored many texts and topics within the five core subjects of the Shedra curriculum, including those root texts which are available in English translation. We have travelled from topic to topic touching upon each of the five within a two-year cycle, but without a progression from introductory to advanced. At this time we are introducing a progressive Rime Shedra curriculum which will continue for the next few years, focusing upon the key texts on the Middle Way View.