FALL SEMESTER CLASS SCHEDULE October 13 – December 18, 2025

FALL SEMESTER CLASS SCHEDULE

October 13 – December 18, 2025

Namgyal Zoom Classes: Namgyal will host all fall classes by Zoom.  Audio recordings of the Zoom session for a class will be available for download the next day after class. 

 Classes will start later than usual this fall to give people traveling to India in September time to prepare for the semester.  Classes will start October 13^th and run for ten weeks. 

 The cost for Zoom class access is $170.  To register for classes, contact office@namgyal.org.  Payments can be made by check or online through the Namgyal website.

 Senior Citizen Discount: A discount of 15% will be granted to seniors (age 65 or older), applicable

to full-time tuition or tuition for individual classes.

1.  TOPIC:  Buddhist Science and Philosophy:  The Physical World Volume 1 cont.

 Instructor: Geshe Ngawang - Translation by Palden Oshoe

Mondays - Oct: 13, 20, 27 Nov 3, 10, 17, 24 Dec 1, 8, 15

Time:  6:30 -7:45PM

Tuition: $170 for Ten -week semester (payable in full or in two $85.00 installments)

 For over 25 years, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama has engaged in annual Mind-Life Conferences with Western scientist from various disciplines to explore the commonalities and differences in Buddhist and Western views on the nature of reality and the mind.  One outcome of these discussions is that HHDL convened a group of renown Buddhist scholars (Geshes) to compile all the treatises from classical Indian Buddhists texts that provided discourses on Buddhist science and philosophy.  The first volume in this series provides a compilation and synthesis of teachings on the Indian Buddhist view of nature of the physical world.  During this semester, Geshe la will complete explanation of Part 2 on Knowable Objects reviewing the chapter on Cause and Effect and then continue with the remaining chapters on Unconditioned Phenomena and Other Presentations of Ascertainable Phenomena.  After completing Part 2 he will then begin discussion on Part 3 on Subtle Particles.   This class provides a unique opportunity for students to gain understanding and have discussion about foundational concepts the classical Indian Buddhist views of the world. 

 Text: Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics Vol. 1:  The Physical World

Conceived and Introduced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Edited by Thupten Jinpa

2.  TOPIC:  LAM RIM (Stages of the Path to Enlightenment) Part 3: Cultivating Bodhichitta and the Six Perfections

 Instructor: Geshe Ngawang translation by Palden Oshoe

Tuesdays –  Oct: 14, 21, 28 Nov 4, 11, 18, 25 Dec 2, 9, 16

Time: 6:30 -7:45PM

Tuition: $170 for ten-week semester (payable in full or in two $85.00 installments)

Bodhichitta is the altruistic intention to attain Buddhahood for the benefits of all sentient beings. Cultivating this aspiration is considered essential for entering the Mahayana Path and achieving Buddhahood.  The practical application of bodhichitta in one’s daily life involves the practice of the six perfections: generosity, ethical discipline, patience, joyful effort, meditation and wisdom.  These are sometimes referred to as the six far-reaching attitudes as they are to be extended all beings regardless of our relationship with them.  The class in the spring covered instruction on the cultivation of bodhichitta.  This semester will cover the practice of the six perfections as taught in the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim).   

Text: The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment Vol. 2 by Lama Tsongkhapa

 3.  TOPIC:  Mind Training Text Study:  Thirty-seven Practices of the Bodhisattvas (cont.) And Chapter One of the Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life: The Benefits of the Mind of Awakening

 Instructor:  Geshe Ngawang Gyatso translation by Palden Oshoe

Wednesdays – Oct 8, 15, 22, 29 Nov 5, 12, 19, 26 Dec 3, 10, 17

TIME: 6:30-7:45PM

Tuition: $170.00 for semester (payable in full or in two $85.00 installments)

 The Thirty-seven Practices of the Bodhisattvas is a classic mind-training text within Tibetan Buddhism.   The verses of this text outline all the essential practices of the Mahayana Path including generating bodhichitta, understanding the nature of reality, transforming negative emotions and practicing the six perfections. By studying, contemplating and meditating on these verses and their meaning, one can transform their feelings, thoughts and actions to progress towards becoming a bodhisattva. Geshe-la will provide a more detailed explanation of key points of this important text and provide guidance in how to apply these mind-training verses and their meaning in one’s daily life.   This teaching is excellent for both newcomers and more experienced students.  For newcomers, it will provide the foundation for a basic understanding of key points of study and practice within Tibetan Buddhism.  And for more experienced students, the teachings will serve to refine one’s understanding of the deeper levels of the practice of the BuddhaDharma. 

 Review of this text was started last spring.  This fall we will complete going through the remaining verses, starting with verse 25 on the practice of generosity.  After completing this text the remainder of  the semester will begin on discussion of Chapter One from Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life which focuses on the benefits of cultivating the Mind of Awakening (Bodhichitta).

 Root Text:  https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/gyalse-thogme-zangpo/37-practices-all-bodhisattvas

4.   TOPIC:  Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism:  In Praise of Great Compassion

Instructor: Deana Bodnar

Thursdays – Oct 16, 23, 30 Nov 6, 13, 20, 27 Dec 4, 11, 18

Time: 6:30-7:45PM

Tuition: $170 for ten-week semester (payable in full or in two $85.00 installments)

This course will provide an introduction to key points and practices in Buddhism.  The course will focus on reading and discussion of one of the books in the Library of Wisdom and Compassion series written by His Holiness 14^th Dalai Lama and American Buddhist Nun, Thubten Chodron.   As His Holiness has designated this year for his 90^th birthday, The Year of Compassion, we will go through Volume 5 of this series: In Praise of Great Compassion.  Topics covered in this volume include: 1) practice of the four immeasurables (loving-kindness, compassion, empathic joy and equanimity); 2) the altruistic intention of the mind of awakening, bodhichitta; 3) cultivating bodhichitta; 3) equalizing and exchanging self and other; 4) becoming a bodhisattva; 5) homage to great compassion; and 6) aspiring and engaging bodhichitta.  This text provides an excellent overview of important concepts and principles in Buddhism related to the cultivation of compassion and connects these to modern life for Westerners.  The goal of the course is to give students a basic framework for understanding different teachings and practices on compassion within Buddhism and explore how we can integrate them into our daily lives to support our spiritual development.  Each class will also provide time for questions and discussion about these topics as well as time for meditation practice.

 Recommended Reading: In Praise of Great Compassion by His Holiness the 14th Dalia Lama and Thubten Chodron (Wisdom Publications)

 Deana Bodnar has been a student and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism at Namgyal Monastery for over 20 years.  She has previously taught classes on the Neurobiology of Meditation.