Nitartha Institute

Mind and Its World I explores the criteria of a valid cognition and its various classifications, based on the teachings from the Pramāna tradition, or Buddhist epistemology. We will analyze our consciousness and determine to what degree it is in agreement with its observed object or not; when our mind is direct or not; what the difference is between non-mistaken, non-deceiving, conceptual and non-conceptual types of awareness.

Clear Thinking has two-fold purpose: It presents a detailed treatment of knowable objects in the form of definitions, examples, equivalents and classifications drawn from Collected Topics, the introductory textbook of Buddhist phenomenology or Abhidharma; secondly this material is used to teach methods for thinking clearly about the teachings using the debate typology of the four types of relationships there can be between any two phenomena. We will train in elementary debate skills in a relaxed environment, such as asking for definitions, equivalents and classifications.

2 credits for Mind and Its World I.
1 credit for Clear Thinking.

Course codes: BUD 501i-D and BUD 502i-D

Prerequisite: None

Class Topics

Mind and Its World I:

• Divisions of mind
• Definitions of valid cognition
• Definition of direct valid cognition
• Sense direct valid cognition
• Two truths in Vaibhāshika and Sautrāntika view
• Process of perception in Vaibhāshika and Sautrāntika view
• Mental direct valid cognition
• Self-aware direct valid cognition
• Yogic direct valid cognition
• Seeming direct cognition
• Definition of inferential valid cognition for oneself and for others
• Appearing object, referent object, object of engagement
• Nonvalid cognition
• Three results of valid cognition

Clear Thinking:

• Definition, equivalents and classification of object
• Definition, equivalents and classification of thing and nonthing
• Presentation of matter, consciousness and nonassociated formations
• Four relationships between two phenomena
• Completion of a debate

Required Texts

• Root text: Classifications of Mind (Lorik), by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Nitartha Institute Publications: nitartha.institute.pubs@gmail.com
• Root text: Collected Topics (Düdra), by Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen, Nitartha Institute Publications: nitartha.institute.pubs@gmail.com
• Mind and Its World I Sourcebook, Nitartha Institute Publications:
  nitartha.institute.pubs@gmail.com
• Clear Thinking Workbook, Nitartha Institute Publications:
  nitartha.institute.pubs@gmail.com

For Nitartha Institute Publications, please allow 3 weeks for delivery of texts in North America, and for overseas shipping, please allow 2–3 weeks for airmail and 4–6 weeks for surface shipping.