BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Planet Dharma - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Planet Dharma X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.planetdharma.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Planet Dharma REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Edmonton BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20150308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20151101T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20160313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20161106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20170312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20171105T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20180311T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20181104T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20190310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20191103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20200308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20201101T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20210314T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20211107T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20220313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20221106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20230312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20231105T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240114 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240205 DTSTAMP:20260604T111223Z CREATED:20230924T170432Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T111223Z UID:10000651-1705190400-1707091199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Multiple Realities: Bardos & Beyond (4 Week Online Course) DESCRIPTION:Multiple Realities: The Bardos & Beyond\n Online Course | Four Weeks\n January 14 – February 4\, 2024 \nWe struggle because we are habitually locked in fixed views of self\, other and the world. Studying the various ‘bardos’ or multiple realities of experience helps loosen the limiting blinders of our ego’s perceptions. By expanding our conceptions and perceptions\, we can get unstuck from fixed views\, rigidity and conventionality. Greater joy\, freedom and awe ensues! Join us for this first online course of 2024. \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Studying Bardos:\nPerhaps you are interested in altered states. Or you have heard about the bardos of death and dying described in Tibetan buddhism. In this course\, we will explore the six traditional bardos and also go to the core of that teaching – something less talked about – how every moment is a bardo or transition. \nThe six traditional bardos described in Vajrayana teachings are: \n\nWaking consciousness\nDream\nMeditation\nDeath\nDharmata \nRebirth\n\nThese six bardos are also a window into seeing the nature of bardos within all moments\, transitions and iterruptions of life – drastically altering our limited ego perceptions and concepts. We will also study language – particularly how we map our realities of self through language and how we get locked into predictable patterns. \nThrough this study and practice\, by seeing the stuckness of our thinking and perceptions\, we begin to loosen our tight sense of who we are. Greater freedom\, compassion and clarity results. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bardos is about realms.Altered state realms.“In between.” \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bardos: Getting Clearer on Self and Non-Self\nThe human ego says “I am me” and thinks of itself as living in a continuum of this ‘me-ness’. But if we look closer\, we will discover that this perception is not accurate. Instead\, we will see there is actually a continuum of experience and altered states\, one that the ego habitually and mistakenly claims as its own. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  Course Learning Goals\n \n\nTo investigate the bardos and what they can teach us about ordinary life\, death and impermanence. \nTo expand our perception of the many bardos of life\, and how to live more fully in the present moment. \nTraining to leave behind fixed partial views and develop a more complete “viewing” of what actually is. \nTo dismantle\, question and analyze the sense of ‘self’ and how it is created through language. \nTo develop a deeper understanding of the many realms and so-called ‘altered states’ accessible to our human consciousness.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Recommended Bardos Learning:\n  \n \n \n \n \n \n PODCAST: Consciousness Continues: Navigating Death\, Rebirth and the Bardos\nThe following recording is a talk that Doug ‘Qapel’ Duncan gave on the topic of death\, dying and the bardos. In the talk\, he explores how we really experience a death in every moment\, and describes in detail the steps in the death process and how consciousness finds its way to its next rebirth. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n VIDEO: Vajrayana Buddhism and the Life\, Death and Rebirth Bardos\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Listen to Doug Qapel Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei speak on Vajrayana Buddhism and the bardos of life\, death and rebirth. This talk was hosted by Emmanuel College of Victoria University at the University of Toronto\, on February 6th 2021. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nCourse Schedule\nJanuary 14  – February 4\, 2024\n\n\nClass Times (Mountain Time)\n\nSunday January 14 – 9:30-11am\nSunday January 21 – 9:30-11am\nSunday January 28 – 9:30-11am\nSaturday & Sunday February 3-4th – 9:30 and 2:30pm (approx 60-90 mins length)\n\nThe formal and participatory teachings for this course will occur on Sundays with a Saturday-Sunday flash retreat on the fourth weekend.  Class times are estimates and may change slightly. \nWe encourage you to connect with sangha outside of class times to discuss and deepen your learning of the material. \n      Flash Retreat Weekend: February 3-4\nTo deepen and integrate your experience\, the final (fourth) weekend during the course will also be a Flash Retreat (Feb 3-4). This can be done at home\, or with us at Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, in Eastern British Columbia. We highly recommend clearing your schedule over the weekend to focus on the retreat. Formal group sessions will be held at these times (durations are approximate): \n\nFlash Retreat morning group classes: 9:30am\nFlash Retreat afternoon group workshop: 2:30pm\nsessions duration approx 60-90 mins  \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Qapel Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\n\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be streamed live at 9:30-11am MST.  We ask participants to attend live whenever possible. The recording of each class will be available for one week after each class. We encourage you to connect with sangha outside of class times to discuss and deepen your learning of the material. \nThe course culminates with a Flash Retreat on February 3-4\, 2024\, with formal workshop times held at 9:30am and 2:30pm Mountain Time on Saturday and Sunday. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nThis course is offered based on the unique combination of: \n1) dāna\, and2) a $80-120 USD administrative fee: \n\nRegister by December 17 2023: $80\nRegister by December 31 2023: $100\nRegister less than two weeks prior: $120\n\nClick on the tabs below to learn more: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About DānaAbout the Online Admin Fee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nWe're delighted to share that we created a short online course so that you can learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n In a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80 Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n--- \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat in community: students at Clear Sky Centre and online\, learning together. \n \n Registration \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This kind of Dharma is much needed\, practical and insightful. It is something we need in our modern society where everyone is trying to get ahead of others. Learning with Qapel and Sensei helps me see clearly\, lead genuinely and be more willing to step into the unknown\, to serve others and to learn. \nBat FungSoftware Engineer. Toronto\, CanadaQapel and Sensei teach in a light but profound way – taking us on a brilliant journey of understanding with guile and humour.\nMale and female perspectives help balance with differing approaches. Explaining a complex but genius system that holds all life understanding from religion\, science\, psychotherapy and wisdom traditions is not easy. I think Ken Wilber would have enjoyed it.  \nJonathan Clifford Shiatsu\, Qigong & Meditation Teacher URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/multiple-realities-bardos-course-2024/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/7.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180511 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180520 DTSTAMP:20260727T060843Z CREATED:20170914T032312Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T060843Z UID:10000542-1525996800-1526774399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Meditation Retreat: Body of Truth & Star Group DESCRIPTION:*Please note\, these retreat dates have changed to May 11-19th 2018*\n \nWestern Mysteries Retreat: Body of Truth and Star Group (at the beautiful and innovative Clear Sky Center)\nImagine being the change you want to see in the world. \nCreative visualization and active imagination are vital to the spiritual path. They improve our relationships with ourselves and others and grow our desire to benefit all beings. \nBy cultivating powerful visualization skills\, we can imagine our desired way of being into existence. As a bonus\, we strengthen the ability to see through and decrease our negative states when they arise. \nThe Power of Western Meditations and Star Group\n \n  \nBuddhist philosophy holds that the waking world is no more “real” than the worlds of meditation or dreams. Therefore our ability to imagine new and more diverse positive arisings is an essential skill for the bodhisattva path. \nDuring this retreat\, we’ll follow Namgyal Rinpoche’s pioneering work with these practices\, drawing on his book\, A Body of Truth\, and the Star Group meditation methodology that he developed. \nWhat to expect:\n\nWe will explore diverse meditations from the Western Mystery tradition. This tradition focuses more on archetypes\, and less on human-centric deities and saints (which are present in traditions like Buddhism and Christianity).\nWe will draw on the use of forms\, elements\, shapes\, movement and color to stimulate transformative energies within us. \nWe will explore a broad spectrum of practices–from meditations on honeycombs to the Great Pyramid and its secret chambers. \nTo create a holistic experience\, we will balance the five elements\, inner and outer\, active and passive energies\, time indoors and outdoors\, alone and in groups.\nYou may discover hidden talents\, and increase your strengths. Negative internal blocks will loosen.\n\nWhat is Star Group?\nDeveloped by Namgyal Rinpoche\, Star Group is a rare and precious practice. Small groups of people meditate together to create a psychic platform where they collectively explore the depths of inner and outer space. Star Group meditation draws on the powers of several minds working together and individually\, increasing the range and power of our exploration\, meditative vision and joy. \nStar Group could be seen as a progression from meditating alone to meditating as a group or collective. This practice provides an outstanding opportunity to draw on meditation as a resource to develop relationship and community skills. \nIntegrating your experiences and energies with others benefits innumerable beings. We invite you to join us to train in becoming more skilled and compassionate for the benefit of all beings. \nRegister Now\n \n\nAbout the Teachers:\n \nWe encourage everyone to find the “teacher within” that we can be. But\, for almost everyone\, we need to apprentice before we can master. Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat apprenticed in the teachings of awakening for decades with their teachers. Between them they have been teaching for more than 30 years. \nTheir explorations and teachings are guided by four principles: spiritual growth\, social connectivity\, economic sustainability and environmental integrity. \nDoug & Catherine teach from various wisdom traditions – including buddhadharma\, Western Mysteries\, modern science\, art and nature – based on broad interests and a non-judgemental approach. We’ve lived and worked overseas for many years\, and a planetary outlook is important to us. So is humour! Read more: Full Bios. \n[tmls category=”20″ layout=”tmls_slider” style=”style2″ image_size=”large_image” image_radius=”large_radius” text_font_family=”” text_font_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” name_font_family=”” name_font_color=”#000000″ neme_font_size=”14px” neme_font_weight=”normal” position_font_family=”” position_font_color=”#777777″ position_font_size=”12px” order_by=”rand” order=”DESC” auto_play=”true” transitioneffect=”crossfade” pause_on_hover=”false” next_prev_visibility=”tmls_visible” next_prev_radius=”large_radius” next_prev_position=”” next_prev_bgcolor=”#F5F5F5″ next_prev_arrowscolor=”tmls_lightgrayarrows” scroll_duration=”500″ pause_duration=”9000″ ratingstars=”enabled” ratingstarssize=”16px” ratingstarscolor=”#F47E00″ ] \n\nWhy come to Clear Sky: Experience the difference:\n\nKnow what it is to truly unwind\, surrounded by pristine\, tranquil nature.\nEnjoy fresh air and wholesome food\, with an emphasis on organic and locally sourced.\nExperience the support of a community that exists to help you reconnect.\nBe part of a working and awakening community that practices what it teaches.\nYou’ll both reinvigorate and integrate what you learn into your daily life.\nShare the learning and growth with other participants\, making new friends who are also on a path of spiritual unfoldment.\nConnect to the teachings that have enlivened humanity over centuries (regardless of religion).\n\n\nWhat else do you need to know?\n\nDāna (Generosity Based Teaching)\n\nDoug & Catherine are teaching this meditation retreat via the ancient tradition of Dāna (generosity)\, an offering from them to the attendees. It is considered of supreme value to your life and thus “beyond price” so it is expected that the student will be equally generous and support the teaching and the teachers by making an offering. \nWhile no offering is too small\, also no offering is too great. The giver benefits by offering as much as they can\, given the individual’s circumstances. Along with compassion\, generosity is considered the root of spiritual progress and\, according to the ancients\, therefore the root of our success in daily life as well. \nFind out more about how you can practice Dāna. We invite you to offer Dāna when you register and via the Dāna bowl available at Clear Sky. \n\nMeditation Retreat Centre Fees (Lodging & Meals)\n\n\nThis meditation retreat will be held at beautiful Clear Sky Meditation Centre. Fees which include lodging & meals start at $999 CAD. \n\nRegistration\n\nBook early for this meditation retreat. All registrations and inquiries can be made via the Clear Sky Registration page\, by clicking the Register Now button below: \n \n  \n\nNotes: \n[1] Karma Yoga is our practice of awakening in action. It may entail supporting the center and participants in the area of nourishment\, environmental services\, land management or infrastructure. \nSign up here to be notified about any retreat updates and Planet Dharma news. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/meditation-retreat-body-truth-western-visualizations/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre\, 3567 Cockell Rd\, Bull River\, British Columbia\, V0B1N0\, Canada CATEGORIES:Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BodyofTruth-stargroup.jpg GEO:49.615543;-115.6300709 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre 3567 Cockell Rd Bull River British Columbia V0B1N0 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3567 Cockell Rd:geo:-115.6300709,49.615543 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160425 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160524 DTSTAMP:20230214T193100Z CREATED:20160106T003925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230214T193100Z UID:10000508-1461542400-1464047999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Mahayana Sutras: Webinar Series DESCRIPTION:Join Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat for this second of four enlightening webinar series on fundamental teachings of buddhadharma and awakening throughout 2016.  This series is on the Mahayana Sutras and is streamed in four classes over four weeks.  These webinars are open to all.  For participants of the 2016 Year of Awakening program\, these webinars are also part of of the program’s curriculum. \n© Catherine Pawasarat \nIn the second quarter of 2016 (25 Apr – 22 May) we will examine some Mahayana sutras\, teachings that\, it’s said\, were received as termas centuries after the Buddha’s death. \nMahayana teachings build on the Theravadin “teachings of the elders\,” from a foundation of an individual’s awakening experience towards using that awakening to benefit all beings. Generally speaking Mahayana sutras are considerably longer and more complex than Hinyana suttas. Over these four webinars we’ll study two major\, classic sutras\, in order to get a feeling for  this later development of Buddhist philosophy and its salient features. Please see the details on specific sutras in the schedule below. \n© Catherine Pawasarat \nSome sources say that Mahayana sutras are teachings by the Buddha that were too advanced to be understood contemporaneously. Consequently they were hidden during his lifetime and revealed centuries later as termas. \nMahayana Buddhism exists primarily in China\, Korea and Japan. Since Doug Duncan lived in Japan for more than 10 years\, and Catherine for more than 20\, our teachings have been deeply influenced by Japanese culture\, and by extension\, Japan’s Mahayana Buddhism. \nLater in the year we’ll study the four levels of Vajrayana tantra and spiritual teachings from Western traditions. \nWe are pleased to share these teachings with all who are interested\, particularly in the context of this methodical approach to the different Buddhist vehicles and Western teachings that comprise our Path. \nPlease note that one of the benefits of the Year of Awakening program is priority for webinar participation. \n\nWebinar Details:\n\nSchedule: Mondays 7:30pm\, Mountain Standard Time (MST) – Apr 25\, May 2\, 9\, and 16 (see below for details).  Pre-reading begins Apr 18. There will be reading between each subsequent class.\n\n\nThe webinar teachings are recorded\, and available for one week after the live session. These classes are open and recordings are also available to all registrants.\n\n\nClick on the “Register Now” buttons below to attend the webinars. By registering for the first webinar\, you will also receive registration links for the subsequent three webinars.\n\n\nHomework for anyone attending teachings: read the sutta before the class\, and look up any terminology unfamiliar to you.\n\n\nPlease note that Office Hours (Saturdays 3-4pm MST) noted below are for the Year of Awakening program participants only.\n\n\nIf you’re not a Year of Awakening program participant\, we encourage you to join us for PlanetDharma’s regular semi-monthly Office Hours\, with questions about the suttas and/or your daily practice. It’s also an opportunity to connect with the teachers\, the community of practice (sangha)\, and the awakening mindstream. The Office Hours are truly a precious opportunity to solidify and deepen our understanding and practice.\n\n\nDāna\nThese webinars are offered by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat on the basis of dāna\, or generosity practice.  There will be an opportunity for you to give dāna when you register\, below. Learn more about dāna. \n  \n  \nTranslation Details:\nIn these four webinars we will study the Diamond Sūtra\, and the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra. \nFor the Diamond Sutra\, we highly recommend Namgyal Rinpoche’s book Suchness – The Diamond State Of Realization available from Bodhi Publishing.  The same translation of the Sutra is also available in the book The Diamond Sutra and The Sutra of Hui-Neng\, translated by A.F. Price and Wong Mou-lam\, published by Shambhala Classics. Both books contain the version of the Diamond Sutra that Doug Sensei studied with Namgyal Rinpoche\, and is available as a Kindle e-book\, paperback or hardcover. \nFor the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra we recommend either or both these books: The Holy Teaching of Vimlakirti by Robert Thurman and/or the Vimlakirti Sutra by Burton Watson. \nPlease procure your copies well in advance\, as shipping may take some time. \nOther versions are available\, and please note that the translations vary widely. \n  \n\nSchedule: April 25 – May 16\n\nMon.\, Apr. 25: Mahayana Sutras Part One: The Diamond Sutra\n\nThis is the first webinar in this series on the Mahayana sutras\, mystical texts that were revealed in the Common Era. Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the Diamond Sutra\, a small book\, and also the very essence or core of the Maha-Prajnaparamita (Greater Perfection of Wisdom) of which it’s a part. The latter’s many volumes form the largest part of the scriptural canon of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. \nThe Diamond Sutra is written in the form of a dialogue about the bodhisattva path and enlightenment between the Buddha to Subhuti\, one of his senior students. It heavily influenced Chinese Chan and Japanese Zen schools of Buddhism. \nIts theme is the diamond state of realization. The diamond or thunderbolt cuts through delusional states of mind to reveal wisdom and ultimate truth. The sutra sheds light on major themes such as non-attachment\, non-self and emptiness. \n“Whosoever can receive and retain this teaching\, study it\, recite it and spread it abroad will be clearly perceived and recognized by the Tathagata and will achieve a perfection of merit beyond measurement \nImage: Vimalakirti\, by Hakuin Ekaku\, ink on paper\, 127 x 69.3 cm. Minneapolis Museum of Art \nor calculation – a perfection of merit unlimited and inconceivable.” – The Buddha (The Diamond Sutra\, Section XV\, The Incomparable Value of This Teaching)\nHow is that for motivation? \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the “Register Now” button below: \nPre-Reading assignment: Mon.\, Apr. 17 – Sun.\, Apr. 24: Read the first half of The Diamond Sutra. There will be reading between each subsequent class. \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, Apr. 30. This is a time for questions on the Diamond Sutra and related teachings.] \nMon\, May 2: Mahayana Sutras Part Two: The Diamond Sutra\n \nWe continue our study of the illusory nature of self\, the pursuit of non-attachment and emptiness as ultimate reality with the Diamond Sutra. \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the button below: \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 7\, and for other participants on Sun.\, May 8. This is a time for questions the Diamond Sutra and related teachings.] \n \nMon\, May 9: Mahayana Sutras Part Three: Vimlakirti-Nirdesa Sutra\n\nNext we’ll study the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa sutra. Dating to the 1st century AD\, the Vimalakirti Sutra presented radical notions that must have rocked the Buddhist world\, such as the possibility of awakening for all beings\, including the non-elite and women. It was written in the vernacular (vs. academic) language\, and so directed towards the average person\, another startling concept for the time. With the wealthy layman Vimalakirti\, miraculous feats illustrated profound Buddhist teachings\, all directed towards teaching about the ultimate nature of emptiness. \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the “Register Now” button below: \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 13\, This is a time for questions on the relevant sutra and related teachings.] \nMon\, May 16: Mahayana Sutras Part Four: Vimlakirti-Nirdesa\nWhat qualities and teachings in the the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa sutra put it in a different category from the Theravadin suttas? Why did Vimalakirti value the bodhisattva path above that of arahatship? What’s non-duality and why do we care? We continue our learning\, streamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required.\n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 21\, and for other participants on Sun.\, May 22\, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time. (click for time zone converter) This is a time for questions on the relevant sutra and related teachings.] \n  \n\n__________________________________________________________________________________ \nThe other segments being taught by Doug & Catherine in 2016 are: \n\nFebruary/March:  Theravadin Suttas\nJune/July: Teachings on tantra\nOctober: Western Mysteries: Womb\, Karma & Transcendence.\n\nClick here to join the PlanetDharma email list and stay informed via your email inbox. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/mahayana-series/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mahayana-Sutta-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR