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Study and Practice
Ven Tulku Thondup writes in his Introduction to the ‘Dzogchen Innermost Essence Preliminary Practice’ (Longchen Nhying-thik Ngondro):
“For the practice of Dharma to be effective one should start at a level suited to one’s own mental capacity. It is essential to understand the meaning of the teaching first of all through study. Trying to practise it without having studied it properly would be like trying to scale a cliff without hands. Conversely, a great deal of study and no practice would be like being surrounded by an abundance of food while dying of hunger. It is important, therefore, for the practice of Dharma to combine both understanding its meaning and trying to realise it through practice.”
Mahasandhi Buddhist group offers two programmes of study and practice.
Crossing the Water, a Practical Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism Introduction to Study and Practice of the Dzogchen Innermost Essence Preliminary Practice (Longchen Nhying-thik Ngondro)
Introductory Course: Crossing the Water
Crossing the Water is our Introductory Course for those new to Tibetan Buddhism. In this course we examine the key concepts that form a foundation for correct understanding; for, because of cultural differences, it is sometimes easy for Westerners to misunderstand or misinterpret certain ideas, while others are quite alien to our habits of thought. From the very beginning of the course, we combine study with practice. Through reading, reviewing and discussion, Mahasandhi Buddhist group students learn to relate Buddhist theory to their own life experiences, while contemplation teaches the means by which we may make gradual changes in our patterns of negative thought and emotion.
Crossing the Water: Topics for Study
Topics include:
Why we recite prayers and mantras Contemplation/Meditation/Visualisation The Four Noble Truths (why we suffer – the way out of suffering) Training in Compassion (bodhicitta) Buddhist Worldview & the Workings of Cause & Effect (Rebirth, Karma & Merit) How to be a Buddhist (including practical instruction on how to set up a shrine etc)
This course is based on two key texts, ‘Words of My Perfect Teacher’ by Patrul Rinpoche, and Dilgo Khyentse’s Commentary on Patrul Rinpoche’s ‘Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones’. Additional material is taken from the works of HH the 14th Dalai Lama, and other authentic teachers, as appropriate.
Introduction to Study and Practice of the Dzogchen Innermost Essence Preliminary Practice (Longchen Nhying-thik Ngondro)
The 19th century Nyingma master, Patrul Rinpoche sat on this stone while writing ‘Words of My Perfect Teacher’, and lived in a nearby cave in the mountains above Dzogchen Monastery. Patrul Rinpoche’s book is a record of and commentary on the oral instruction of his “perfect teacher”, Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu, on the Preliminary Practice (Nondro) of the cycle of teachings known as ‘The Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse’, which contain a complete Vajrayana path to realisation. Our Introductory course enables students to gain a basic understanding of the text and engage in the practice correctly.
Introduction to the Nondro: Topics for Study
The Common Preliminaries:
Precious Human Rebirth Impermanence Karma Sufferings of Samsara
The Uncommon Preliminaries:
Taking Refuge & Generating Bodhicitta Meditation & Recitation of Vajrasattva Mandala Offering (including Cho practice) Guru Yoga Four Empowerments
Note: in order to make the commitment to engage in formal Nondro practice, including the 100,000 repetitions, we must take Refuge and receive the necessary transmission and instruction from our teacher.
Distance Learning
We regret that we are unable to offer these courses as distance learning courses this year. However, if you are interested in distance learning with the Mahasandi Buddhist Group in the future, please email us so we can keep you informed.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism) offers a distance learning course: www.fpmt.org
As does Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery: www.samyeling.org
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