- Announcement: December 21-23, 2015, H.H. Dalai Lama will give teachings on Dharmakirti's Pramanavarttika in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, at the new new Assembly Hall of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery [following the inaugural ceremonies in the morning of December 20].
Fall 2015 Term Announcement
The Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD)
McLeod Ganj near the Main Temple Complex
Advanced Buddhist Philosophy Course
Dharmakirti’s Valid Cognition Commentary (Pramanavarttika), Chapter 2
Monday, 14 September – mid-November, 2015
Teacher: Ven. Kelsang Wangmo
Weekly Schedule: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
4:00-6:00 PM – Mon & Fri / 4:00-5:30 PM – Wed
Location: IBD Prayer Hall - Main Temple Complex
[Go through Main Temple Gate/Upstairs on right]
Fee: 300 Rupees per month
(All proceeds sponsor IBD students’ living expenses)
Email: chogslags-ibd@yahoo.com / Website: ibd-buddhist.blogspot.com
Course Topics: This Fall 2015 term continues the study of the Second Chapter of Pramanavarttika, a Commentary on {Dignaga’s Compendium of} Valid Cognition by Dharmakirti.
The one-month term in Fall 2014 presented an introduction to concepts and background of this text and its introductory section, and the two month Spring 2015 term examined the Introduction of Gyaltsab Je's commentary and began the body of the text. Some material covered in the earlier terms will be reviewed in this Fall term.
Download the Text, Handouts & Class Recordings of the Spring 2015 term and the Fall 2014 term.
The material included in the study of Chapter Two of Dharmakirti's Pramanavarttika will be taught in the subsequent Spring and Autumn terms of the IBD Advanced Philosophy Course until completed; after which the Perfection of Wisdom Course will resume.
Course Text & Methodology: Handouts prepared by Ven. Wangmo serve as the text for every class. The Handouts include a translation of the commentary on Dharmakirti’s Second Chapter by Gyaltsab Je (disciple of Je Tsongkhapa), Elucidation of the Path to Liberation, with the Pramanavarttika text and translations of oral commentaries by contemporary masters embedded therein.
Using the curriculum of the great Tibetan monastic universities that is taught at IBD, this advanced philosophy course presents Dharmakirti’s logical proofs of the validity of the basis, path and fruit of liberation and omniscient enlightenment. Students will have opportunities to discuss and debate the subject matter in class.
Course Teacher: Ven. Kelsang Wangmo (a Western nun) was awarded a Geshe degree from IBD for successful completion of the 17-year curriculum studies.
Students: The challenging course material is aimed at earnest students of Buddhist philosophy. If you wish to check out the classes, you are welcome to visit before you enroll. Should you be unable to attend the entire Fall 2015 course, you may be able to continue by downloading audio files of the classes: ibd-buddhist.blogspot.com.
