Nitartha Institute

This course is a systematic study of the foundational schools of Buddhist philosophy. Vaibhāshika and Sautrāntika tenets are valued for their presentation of a contemplative world-view of radical impermanence, without needing to postulate either a personal identity or any principle of divine creation. Only momentary entities are able to perform functions; since concepts are not able to perform functions like their referent objects, they are nominally classified as "permanent" and relegated to the realm of near non-existence. 

2 credits.

Course code: BUD 530s-G

Prerequisites: BUD 501 and BUD 502

Class Topics

• Introduction to philosophical traditions
• Three turnings, two vehicles and four schools
• Vaibhāshika philosophical tradition
  • Five bases, contaminated and uncontaminated phenomena
  • Ultimate and seeming reality
  • Partless particles
  • Eighteen constituents, twelve sources, five aggregates
  • Three times
  • The way consciousness apprehends objects
  • Path: shamatha and vipashyanā
  • Path: four noble truths
  • Four results: stream-enterer, once-returner, nonreturner and arhat
• Sautrāntika philosophical tradition
  • Ultimate and seeming reality
  • Specifically characterized and generally characterized phenomena
  • Manifest phenomena and hidden phenomena
  • Three times
  • The way consciousness apprehends objects
  • Valid cognition

Required Texts

• Root text: The Gateway that Reveals the Philosophical Traditions to Fresh Minds (Truptha), by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen, Nitartha Institute Publications: nitartha.institute.pubs@gmail.com
• Mind and Its World IV Sourcebook, 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.

Mode of Instruction

The class is part of our online campus and is available as downloadable audio. There are also posted handouts, study questions, recommended readings, exam questions and the ability to contact a distance learning advisor with questions.

Login information will be provided prior to the first class.