Class 3 - Introduction - Refuge Objects & Method

Download PDF's of Class Handouts, Notes, and MP3 Tracks from the 3rd class of Spring 2012 term held on Friday, April 13:

DOWNLOAD Handouts - text for Class 3:

2012 Handout 5 - Review of 1st Topic of Chapter 1 - Bodhicitta.  2nd Topic of Chapter 1 - Mahayana Practice Instructions & its Ten Sub-Topics.

2012 Handout 6 -  complete Review of first two (of 10) Sub-Topics of the 2nd Topic of Chapter 1 (the Mahayana Practice Instructions):  the Two Truths & Four Noble Truths.  Introduction to Spring 2012 topic, 3rd Sub-Topic of Practice Instructions:  THREE OBJECTS of REFUGE.  Causal & Resultant Three Jewels.  Causes for Taking Refuge.  Three Types of Persons / Goals.

ALL SPRING 2012 PDF Handouts are HERE.

DOWNLOAD MP3 TRACKS:

Track 1 - Handouts 5 & 6: conclude Review of Perfection of Wisdom Course through 2011:
Brief Review of Chapter 1:
         Topic 1 (of 10) Bodhicitta.
         Topic 2:  Ten (Mahayana) Practice Instructions: "Bodhisattvas on the path of accumulation should now listen, contemplate and meditate on the Mahayana practice instructions. This will enhance their practice and their progress on the path to enlightenment."
                       1 Two Truths (covered in Spring 2011)
                       2. Four Noble Truths (in Fall 2011)
                       3. Refuge - current term

Track 2 – Introduction to Three Objects of Refuge:
      Faith & Reason
      What does it mean to Take Refuge?
      Distinction:  Being a Buddhist & Being a Buddhist Philosopher.
      Essence of the Buddhist theory:  the Four Seals:
             "All contaminated phenomena are in the nature of suffering.
              All conditioned, compounded phenomena are impermanent.
              All phenomena are Empty and Selfless.
              Nirvana is peace."
      Definition of a Buddhist:  “a person who takes Refuge in the Three Jewels”
      Objects of Refuge:  the Three Jewels - Jewels is translation of Sanskrit, Ratna
                     In Tibetan - Three Sublime Rarities - Kun Chok Sum (ཀུན་ཆོག་གསུམ་).
If we really understood, actually internalized the Four Noble Truths, in particular the First Noble Truth of Suffering, would we naturally take refuge in the Three Jewels?

      Buddha Jewel – Four Kayas (Kaya means any of the amazing qualities of a Buddha that are categorized into four kayas)

Track 3 – Dharma Jewel

     Maitreya’s text, the Uttaratantra (Sublime Continuum), extensively explains meaning in the strictest sense of the Three Jewels.  The Dharma Jewel refers to:

       "Arya paths (Truths of the Path) and cessations (Truths of Cessation) in the continua

        of beings (who have attained any of the three Arya paths (the Paths of Seeing, 

        Meditation or No More Learning)."

      Two Paths of Hinayana and Mahayana practitioners.
      Refuge in the Dharma of Arya Paths and Arya Cessations.

      In a wider sense, one may take Refuge in the teachings, but that is not the complete object of refuge.

Track 4 –Sangha Jewel

In the strict sense, the Sangha Jewel refers to persons who are Aryas (including Buddhas).  In wider senses to four fully ordained monks or nuns, ordained practitioners, the entire community of ordained and lay practitioners.

Track 5 – Question & Answer

Is the Buddha all Three Refuge Jewels?  And other interesting Q&A.

NOTES of Class 3 (April 13) - rough draft transcript of class offered for what it's worth.

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This is the 3rd class of the Spring 2012 term Perfection of Wisdom course
which addresses Refuge, the 3rd sub-topic of the 2nd Topic
(Mahayana Practice Instructions) of Chapter 1 of Maitreya's
Ornament for Clear Realizations - Abhisamayalamkara.