There are three things we hope shedra students will gain from their efforts:
- A proper explanation of the preliminary practices, both of theory and practice.
- A solid understanding of the Buddhist View.
- Retention of the material in a manner that is conducive to a lifetime of contemplation and meditation on the outer and inner preliminary practices of Ngondro.
To meet the first goal, it is vital that students make their best efforts to attend all the classes and if a class has been missed to download that days teaching from the website and have listened to it and gotten up to date on all material before the next class. Also it will be important to keep up on the readings listed in the Syllabus. They are moderate, and we will be re-reading the Cascading Waterfall of Nectar readings in the last hour of each class. We will organize a reading hour on Mondays and Thursdays so that whoever has time to gather those days also will be able to read the material for Tuesday and Friday's lesson as a group. To meet the second goal, understanding Buddhist View, it is important for the students to ask questions, as this is the best way to clear up your personal doubts and/or misconceptions. Finally, for the third Goal: Retention, we will be asking that some of the material be memorized so that students will be able to engage in contemplation during personal practice as well as meditation on the teachings and to prepare for an evaluation at the end of the Shedra for those who wish to receive a graduation certificate.
Just to encounter the Buddha's teaching is meaningful, but a student who has thoroughly read the three texts, received oral teachings and instructions on their practice and commited them to mind as the basis for their future practice will have made a truly significant, beneficial start upon the path of Buddhadharma. We hope to facilitate this in whatever ways we can and invite your wholehearted participation.
Required Texts and Class Times
The three texts we will cover are Longchen Nyingthig and New Treasures and The Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche (Translated by Padmakara Translation Group and published by Shambala.) And finally A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar by Dungse Thinley Norbu. We will not be selling these texts, so it will be necessary for shedra students to procure them from local bookstores (the golden braid usually has copies of TheWords of My Perfect Teacher) or a web outlet. Classes will be twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6-9 p.m. In room 311 of the Olpin Union Building at the U of U. Monday and Thursday's reading group will be held at a time most convenient for Shedra students who wish to attend.
Practice Text (The Dudjom Tersar Ngondro) as a PDF
Our Practice Text (The Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro) as a PDF
Tuition and Fees
It has always been a tradition in Buddhism to offer something in gratitude for receiving the teachings. Making offering, whether to beggars or High Lamas is to the students benefit as the practice of Generosity. What or how much you offer is not the main consideration. What is important is the intention in offering and that the student not receive a teaching empty handed. The reason for this is, practicing generosity in gratitude for the teaching recieved creates an auspicious link to the teaching and teacher. That being said, there is no set course fee and no one will be excluded from attending the shedra for reason of a lack of funds.
Registration
We are asking students interested to send us an email to sbtcc.heruka@gmail.com including: Name, Contact Info (email address or phone number) and How many months of the Shedra they will be able to attend (For example the first three months or all seven ect..) leaving this information in a phone message at (801)528-1146 would also be fine.