The Essence of Buddhism – Module 3: The Essential Teachings of the Buddha – Part b

The term “Buddhism” is a neologism from the Western academic world. As early as the 19th century, Western scholars, travelers and explorers recognized that centuries before the Christian era, there was a great teacher in Asia called “The Buddha”, the Awakened One, who had left behind as many teaching discourses as hardly any other teacher of humanity on this planet. Consequently, they called his teachings “Buddhism”.

Moreover, in the succession of the historical Buddha, a rich and diverse intellectual history of “Buddhism” unfolded through many other inspiring practitioners and teachers, and spread to many countries in South, South-East and Central Asia, where they entered into a connection with the respective cultures of the regions.

So today, after more than 2,500 years, we can look back on a rich culture of Buddhism, especially as its teachings and methods, particularly on meditation, can now been found on all continents of the world since quite a few decades.

In this 5-module online course – the 4th module of which could possibly take place at the Kamalashila Institute – Acharya Lama Kelzang Wangdi, a Buddhist Lama from Bhutan, educated at the Monastic University of Rumtek in Sikkim, India, will try to show the essence of the teachings of Buddhism.

In doing so, his perspective and knowledge goes to the essence of all the “vehicles” of Buddhism. He starts with the historical Buddha Gautama Shakyamuni and the teachings of Early or Original Buddhism, but then he also into the essence of the Mahayana teachings of the Great Vehicle.

Nowadays there are many people who are mainly interested in the meditation methods of Buddhism. However, these are mostly incomplete and not clearly understood without the context of the Buddhist teachings. In this program, therefore, Lama Kelzang will reveal the “Essence of Buddhism” so that all can benefit from the richness, profundity and beauty of the Buddhist teachings.

Module 3

The Essential Teachings of the Buddha – Part 2

In this 3rd module Lama Kelzang will continue to show and deepen what has already been presented in the 2nd module as Prajna / Wisdom. It is therefore called:

Prajna – Wisdom – Part b

How wisdom contributes to an illusion-free understanding of life

Covered are:

• The Four Noble Truths
• The Three Characteristics of Existence (Trilakshana)
• and the Four Dharma Seals (according to the Mahayana tradition)

The latter deals with

• Dukkha – suffering, imperfection, insecurity
• Anicca – impermanence
• Anatta – non-self-existence in interdependence, etc.
• Nirvana – liberation, peace, spiritual awakening.

These establish characteristics of existence whose nature needs to be understood and seen through.

In this context, it will be necessary to discuss how the teachings of “Non-Self / Anatta”, “Emptiness / Shunyata” and “Buddha-Nature / Tathagatagarbha” are to be precisely understood and differentiated.

Otherwise there can be misunderstandings, because everything is about developing a more authentic way of being and freeing oneself from the illusions that limit our experience and thus our well-being and happiness.

In this module, the teaching of the Five Skandhas is also discussed again, as these further explanations make them even more meaningful and understandable.

Friday, January 10th
07:00 pm to 08:30 pm Introduction

Saturday, January 11th
08:00 am to 08:30 am meditation
10:00 am to 11:30 am teaching
15:00 pm to 16:30 pm teaching

Sunday, January 12th
08:00 am to 08:30 am meditation
10:00 am to 11:30 am teaching

English with German translation.

Additional Texts used for daily practrice: PDF Download

This course consists of five modules. You can book the courses separately or in combination.
You can already book:
Module 1: October 18th – 20th, 2024
Module 2: November 29th – December 1st, 2024

First time at Live Courses? Then read the general information about live courses of Kamalashila with Zoom.