Buddhism · Commentary · Dharma Teachings · Heart Sutra · Perception · Podcast

Decoding the Heart Sutra — part 2

The Heart Sutra is the most recited, copied, and studied text in all schools of Mahayana Buddhism. It reviews the foundations of Buddhist philosophy while revealing the profound Perfection of Wisdom: the doctrine of emptiness. In this class series, we will study the Sutra in Sanskrit, discuss the key philosophical points of Buddhism, and reveal… Continue reading Decoding the Heart Sutra — part 2

Buddhism · Commentary · Dharma Teachings · Heart Sutra · Perception · Podcast

Decoding the Heart Sutra — part 1

The Heart Sutra is the most recited, copied, and studied text in all schools of Mahayana Buddhism. It reviews the foundations of Buddhist philosophy while revealing the profound Perfection of Wisdom: the doctrine of emptiness. In this class series, we will study the Sutra in Sanskrit, discuss the key philosophical points of Buddhism, and reveal… Continue reading Decoding the Heart Sutra — part 1

Blog · Buddhism · Chan · City of Ten Thousand Buddhas · Commentary · Dharma Teachings

Affliction is Awakening – Reflections on the Platform Sutra

The Direct Teaching described by Master Huìnéng (638–713 c.e.), the founder of Zen, is at once immediate and elusive. In his teachings, compiled in the Dharma Jewel Platform Sutra (citations below refer to page numbers in this text), he describes his realization of the Original Mind in ways that are simple and profound: he begins… Continue reading Affliction is Awakening – Reflections on the Platform Sutra

Buddhism · Buddhist Refuge · Dharma Teachings · Podcast · The Principal Teachings of Buddhism

The Vows of Ethical Conduct

Taking the first steps on the Buddhist path: refuge and ethics. Briefly review refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Overview of causality. Material causes, immediate causes, causes vs. conditions. Relationship between karma and ethics. The power of formally vowing to live ethically. Two stages of vows: freedom vows and bodhisattva vows. Review… Continue reading The Vows of Ethical Conduct

Buddhism · Dharma Teachings · Logic · Podcast

Karma and the Mind

Review materialist arguments for mind. Review Dharmakirti’s refutation. Review logical proof for past and future lives. How mind and matter co-exist. The twelve stages of how our mind creates our reality, beginning with ignorance, up to the cause of death and rebirth. Scare off half the class. Download Karma and the Mind handout Taught by… Continue reading Karma and the Mind

Buddhism · Dharma Teachings · Logic · Podcast

Proof of Future Lives

Discovering the cause of “mind”. Materialist arguments for mind. Buddhist arguments for mind. Defining a material cause,. Using deduction to prove past and future lives. Download the Proofs of Buddhahood handout Taught by Mojohito Tchudi in Chico, California on July 13th, 2017. To subscribe to the podcast of these recordings, put this link in your… Continue reading Proof of Future Lives

Buddhism · Dharma Teachings · Logic · Podcast

The Proofs of Buddhahood

Reverse engineering enlightened beings with logic. What is meant by omniscience? How buddhas perceive space and time. Methods for determining that buddhas have valid perception all the time. Interpreting whether the Buddha meant something literally or figuratively. Flaws in the logic for determining the origin of the universe. The logical absurdity of a first cause… Continue reading The Proofs of Buddhahood

Buddhism · Dharma Teachings · Logic · Perception · Podcast

Analyzing Valid Perception

How do we know if what we perceive is correct or not? Do our senses really give us accurate information about objective reality? The importance of logic in buddhism: the key to understanding Emptiness. Defining valid perception. Two types of perception and what they perceive. Levels of reality: evident, hidden, and deeply hidden. Download the Analyzing… Continue reading Analyzing Valid Perception

Applied Meditation · Buddhism · Dharma Teachings · Podcast

The Levels and Paths of Meditation

Walking through the path, we start with no experience with meditation. By building meditation techniques in the correct sequence, anyone can learn to master this skill. Applied Meditation part 4 – Conclusion The nine stages of developing meditative concentration. The six meditative powers to achieve. The four modes of focus to develop. Shamatha and Vipashyana –… Continue reading The Levels and Paths of Meditation

Applied Meditation · Buddhism · Dharma Teachings · Podcast

Meditation Obstacles and Antidotes

The five obstacles to meditation. The antidotes to the obstacles to meditation. Lam Rim: Review steps shared with practitioners of medium scope. The qualities of samsara: suffering life. The causes of suffering. How to get out of samsara and achieve nirvana. Taught by Mojohito Tchudi in Chico, California on January 26th, 2017. To subscribe to… Continue reading Meditation Obstacles and Antidotes