PRAMANA - TERM 6 - SPRING 2017 ANNOUNCEMENT

The 6th term of the study of the Second Chapter of Dharmakirti's Commentary on [Dignaga's] Compendium of Valid Cognition (Skt. Pramāņavarttika; ཚད་མ་རྣམ་འགྲེལ་) in the Advanced Buddhist Philosophy in English program of the Institute for Buddhist Dialectical Studies (IBD) continues the study of the logical reasoning for Past & Future Lives.  This presentation of the continuity of consciousness, reincarnation, began in the 5th Term, Fall 2016, in Classes 22-25.

Dharmakirti's Pramāņavarttika is highly valued and is studied in the Geshe curriculum.  The Second Chapter examines whether or not Buddhist Enlightenment is feasible or even possible -- issues that must be personally resolved by those considering the Bodhisattva path.  Therefore, in May 2015, H.H. Dalai Lama suggested that our teacher, Geshe Kelsang Wangmo teach the Second Chapter and place the multi-year Perfection of Wisdom course (based on Maitreya's Ornament for Clear Realizations (Abhisamayalamkara) on hiatus until completion of the Second Chapter of Pramāņavarttika.

  Spring 2017 Term

The Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD)

McLeod Ganj near the Main Temple Complex

Advanced Buddhist Philosophy Course

Chapter Two of Dharmakirti’s - Commentary [on 

Dignaga's Compendium of] Valid Cognition (Pramanavarttika)

Monday, 10 APRIL – Friday, 9 JUNE 2017

Teacher: Ven. Kelsang Wangmo
Weekly Schedule:  Monday, Wednesday & Friday
4:00-6:00 PM – Mon & Fri / 4:00-5:30 PM – Wed
Fee:  350 Rupees per month
(All proceeds sponsor IBD students’ living expenses)

      Special Announcement:  Classes have moved from the Main Prayer Hall of IBD.  They are held in a classroom up exterior stairs in the IBD building located on the steep street from the Temple Taxi stand to Chonor House, Kirti Monastery, Thar-do-Ling.  

Course Topics: This Spring 2017 term continues the study of the Second Chapter of Dharmakirti's Pramāņavarttika.  The main topic of this term is reincarnation - which was introduced in Classes 22-25 of the Fall 2016 Term 5.

Course Text & Methodology:  The text is prepared by Ven. Wangmo from her translations of Dharmakirti's text along with a commentary by Gyaltsab Je and oral commentaries by contemporary masters.  Handouts of the text will be distributed to the class throughout the term.

Course Teacher:  Ven. Kelsang Wanmo (a Western nun) was awarded a Geshe degree upon her successful completion of the 17-year curriculum.

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 attend before you enroll.  If you are unable to attend the entire course in person, you may be able to continue by following the classes online.