Pure Perception: The Third Karmapa’s Clarification of the Nature of Reality
A Rime Shedra NYC Course based upon Luminous Heart: The Third Karmapa on Consciousness, Wisdom, and Buddha Nature, translated by Karl Brunnholzl
14 of the Tuesdays from September 14 thru December 21, 2021, at 7-9:15 pm
Classes held via Zoom; Participation by Donation
Overview
In this course, we will read through the entire book Luminous Heart, which includes translations of the three most renowned treatises of Rangjung Dorje’s, as well a superb presentation of Yogacara and Shentong by the translator in the introduction. Class format is that of close reading with commentary and occasional discussion, as opposed to the common style of presentation and q & a. If you would like to participate, please purchase the book ASAP so you can read along with us (Shambhala Publications).
Adapted from the Foreword by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
The Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, is regarded as the architect of the Karma Kagyü interpretations o the view on buddha nature and other key topics that later became central to the philosophical school known as Shentong (“empty of other”). The Karma Kagyü lineage is heir to both of the great mahāyāna traditions of emptiness—Rangtong madhyamaka (“empty-of-self middle Way”) and Shentong madhyamaka (“empty-of-other middle Way”). It is commonly understood in this lineage that the Rangtong approach is needed to determine and gain certainty in the right view, while Shentong is required for the practice of meditation. This combination of the right view of emptiness and the meditative experience of luminous buddha nature is considered to be jointly necessary for complete awakening.
Rangjung Dorje’s main work, The Profound Inner Reality, is one of the most complete elucidations of the Buddhist Vajrayana completion stage practices, however, the sections included in this book present the nature of confusion and wisdom, the path and the result which spans both sutra and tantra. The Distinction between Consciousness and Wisdom explains the mahāyāna theory of eight consciousnesses and their transformation into the five wisdoms. Pointing Out the Tathāgata Heart clarifies the Buddha’s teachings on tathāgathagarbha. The teachings from these three treatises play an essential role for practitioners of vajrayāna Buddhism by providing an overview which enriches the meditator’s understanding of the complete transformative path of vajrayāna.