2023 Weekend Teaching on TOPIC: The Four Noble Truths with Geshe Lhakdor from December 1-3, 2023

TOPIC:  The Four Noble Truths

INSTRUCTOR : Geshe Lhakdor

DATE:  December 1-3, 2023

This weekend intensive will be taught by Geshe Lhakdor who is visiting Namgyal November 27-December 3. 

Geshe Lhakdor served as translator for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama from 1989 to 2005.  Since 2005 he has been the Director of Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India.  This is an exceptional opportunity to receive teachings from such a renowned teacher.

This weekend intensive will be offered both in-person and through Zoom.  The cost for the teachings is $100.  The cost for attending in person is $140. (The additional $40 will be used to cover costs for food, utilities and cleaning.)  Meals provided include breakfast and tea breaks on Saturday and Sunday as well as lunch on Saturday.

 
Description
The Four Noble Truths were taught by Buddha Shakyamuni during his first Dharma teaching at Deer Park.  This teaching is the foundation of all forms of Buddhism throughout the world.  The Four Noble Truths are the truth of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the path to the cessation of suffering.  In brief, the truth of suffering refers to our experience of afflictive emotions, such as anger or attachement, and the actions that we then take based on these emotions. 

The cause of this suffering arises from our misconception of things as appearing to exist independently when in fact their existence depends on causes and conditions.   The cessation of suffering occurs when we overcome this misconception by developing a wisdom that understands and sees how things actually exist.  The path includes various practices that cultivate this wisdom.  There are many aspects to understanding the Four Noble Truths in full, including the nature of each truth, how to engage with each truth and the result of each truth as well as the various attributes and levels of each truths.  A full understanding of all these aspects of these truths supports practitioners in their spiritual development.
 

During this weekend intensive, Geshe-la will explain in detail the various aspects of the Four Noble Truths and describe how understanding them can positively impact our daily lives.  This weekend intensive is ideal for persons new to Buddhism as it will give a sound foundation for further study.  This teaching will also provide deeper understanding of these important topics for those who have been studying Buddhism for some time.

Biography:

Ven. Geshe Lhakdor, Director - Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Born in Yakra, Ngari, Western Tibet in 1956.
 

Education:
1995  Geshe Degree (Doctor of Divinity) from Drepung Loseling Monastic University, India
1989 Master of Madhyamika, Institute of Buddhist Dialectics,
1982 Master of Prajnaparamita, Institute of Buddhist Dialectics
1982  MA, English, Punjab University, Chandigarh MPhil, University of Delhi
1980  BA, Panjab University, Chandigarh Work Experience, Administrative Positions
2015 - vice-chairman of the Buddhist Women's Educational Society,
2015  - a governing body member of the Gaden Phodrang Trust of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
2015 - Chairman of the Council of Tibetan Education March 2015 - a founding member of teaching secular ethics in Education.
2008 - Chairman, Commission for Glossary of Standardised Terms, Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration
2008 - Honorary Professor of Psychology, University of Delhi
2005 - Director of Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, IN
2002 - Honorary Professor of University of British Columbia, Canada
2001 - Trustee, Foundation for Universal Responsibility est. HH Dalai Lama
2000 - Advisory Board of the Institute of Tibetan Classics, Montreal, Canada
1997 - Director, Central Archive of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
1989—2005 Translator and Religious Assistant, Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; accompanied HHDL to over 30 countries in America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia.  
1986--89  Secretary, Translator and Researcher, Tibet House, Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi

Publications, Translations, Commentaries
1. Shantideva's Compendium of Precepts (Shikshasamucchaya)
2. The Three Essential Meanings (Nyingpo Donsum)
3. Tsongkhapa's Three Principal Aspects of Path
4. Words of Manjushri by the Fifth Dalai lama (into English)
5. Versified Lamrim by Dvagpo Ngawang Drakpa (Into English)
6. Universe in a Single Atom (into Tibetan)
Co-translator, co-editor, co-producer (partial list)
1. The Way to Freedom, by HH Dalai Lama, HarperCollins (USA)
2. The Joy of Living and Dying in Peace by HH Dalai Lama, HarperCollins
3. Awakening the Mind and Lightening the Heart by HH Dalai Lama, HarperCollins
4. Stages of Meditation by HH Dalai Lama, Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca NY, USA
5. His Holiness's Commentary of Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom (into Tibetan)
6. Kindness, Clarity and Insight by HH Dalai Lama (into Tibetan)
7. His Holiness's Commentary on Nagarjuna's Letter to the Friend (into Tibetan)
8. His Holiness's Extensive Commentary on Thogme Zangpo's 37 Bodhisattava  Practices.

Schedule:

Friday - Introductory Talk: December 1st  from 7:00pm to 8:30pm - Every one is welcome to attain.

Saturday:
8.30 – 9.00 AM Simple Breakfast
9.00 – 10.15 First Session
10.15 – 10.30 Tea Break
10.30 – 12.00 IInd Session
12.00 to 2.00PM Lunch Break
2.00 – 3.15PM IIIrd Session
3.15 – 3.30 Tea Break
3.30 – 5.00PM VIth Session

Sunday:
8.30 – 9.00AM Simple Break Fast
9.00 – 10.15 Morning Session
10.15 – 10.30 Tea Break
10.30 – 12.00 Conclusion Session