Nitartha's Foundation Curriculum
Mind and Its World I-IV
These four classes can be described in terms of three traditional interlocking and mutually supportive disciplines in the Tibetan tradition. To speak in a broad manner using Western terminology, these could be described as:
Phenomenology, which is a description of the world as we experience it, primarily in reference to the objective side of experience. Studies for this aspect of the course derive from the "Collected Topics" (Dudra in Tibetan). It is based on the Abhidharma ("Higher Teachings") of India.
Epistemology, which is an analysis of how we know - a systematic investigation of the types of mind that arise through knowing and experiencing ourselves and the world. This is primarily in reference to the subjective side of experience. Studies for this aspect of the course derive mainly from the "Classifications of Mind" (Lorik in Tibetan) and secondarily from "Classifications of Reasons" (Tarik in Tibetan). It is based on the Pramana ("Valid Cognition") tradition of India.
Ontology, which presents systematic assertions with regard to what is real within the subjective and objective sides of our experience, both ultimately and conventionally, as well as with regard to what is completely unreal and non-existent, such as a permanent self. This aspect of the courses is derived from the Philosophical Systems (Thrumtha) literature for the Vaibhashika and Sautrantika schools.. (Texts on the philosophical systems generally present a range of teachings, not just on ontology, but also on virtuous conduct, the stages of realization on the path, the fruition of the path, and so on.)
As you can see from the descriptions above, these three disciplines of the Collected Topics, Classifications of Mind, and the Tenet Systems are closely related to each other. Thus, Collected Topics describes experience, particularly of the external world. The Classifications of Mind describe the types of mind that have that experience. The Tenet Systems clarify what within our experience is true or not.
Clear Thinking & Debate I-III
This class focuses on teaching students the basic forms of Tibetan style logic and debate, and is conducted in English. The character of debate at Nitartha is that of gentle and precise dharma conversation rather than a rigid and stylistic formulation of concepts. The intent is the ultimate penetration of truth for oneself and others, not mere one-upmanship or display of logical skill.
The class inter-relates strongly with Mind and Its World, especially drawing from the Collected Topics, which is the subject one traditionally begins with in debate. However, we find that students developed greater understanding when they are also studying the Classifications of Mind and Philosophical Systems texts at this stage. Logical reasonings often show up in a wide range of texts, even in tantric texts, so it is extremely useful for students to learn the debate format.
Two forms of debate are used at Nitartha: 1) formal Tibetan-style debate and 2) what we refer to as Indian-style debate that is less formal. We ask students to learn and use both forms of debate through the first two sessions of the curriculum. After that, students can choose to work with one or other or both of the two forms. Whatever the case may be, students will continue to use these forms to probe the class material throughout the Foundation courses and Advanced courses. Open-ended discussion groups are also used to help students explore the material.
Current and Upcoming Foundation Classes
- BUD 500 Analytical Meditation I BUD 500i-A Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session I: July 15–27, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session I of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 500i-B Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session II: July 29–August 10, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session II of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 500o-C Live online course. July 15–27, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.) BUD 500o-D Live online course. July 29–August 10, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.)
- BUD 501 Mind and Its World I: Valid Cognition BUD 501i-A Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session I: July 15–27, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session I of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 501i-B Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session II: July 29–August 10, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. Click here for other courses to take during Session II of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 501i-C Hartford, CT: Spring semester. Dates to be announced. BUD 501o-E Live online course: July 15 – 27, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.) BUD 501s-F Self-paced online format: Anytime. Original Instructors: Scott Wellenbach and Stuart Horn.
- BUD 502 Clear Thinking BUD 502i-A Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session I: July 15–27, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session I of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 502i-B Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session II: July 29–August 10, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. Click here for other courses to take during Session II of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 502i-C Hartford, CT: Spring semester. Dates to be announced. BUD 502o-E Live online course: July 15 – 27, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.) BUD 502s-F Self-paced online format: Anytime. Original Instructors: Linda Patrick and Stuart Horn.
- BUD 510 Mind and Its World II: Mental Events & Causality BUD 510i-A Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session II: July 29–August 10, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session I of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 510o-B Live online course: July 29 – August 10, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.) BUD 510s-C Self-paced online format: Anytime. Original Instructors: Stuart Horn and Israel Lifshitz.
- BUD 520 Mind and Its World III: Modes of Engagement BUD 520i-A Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session I: July 15–27, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session I of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 520o-B Live online course: July 15 – 27, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.) BUD 520s-C Self-paced online format: Anytime. Original Instructors: Stuart Horn and Kim Colwell.
- BUD 530 Mind and Its World IV: Vaibhāshika and Sautrāntika Philosophical Traditions BUD 530i-A Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session II: July 29–August 10, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session I of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 530i-B New York City, NY: May 12–20, 2012. Live inclass course. 9-day intensive format. Taught with BUD 554i-B Foundational Debate II. Instructor: Dr. Phil Stanley. BUD 530i-D Morelia, Mexico: Beginning May 23, 2012. Live inclass course in semester format (weekly classes). Taught in Spanish. (Online live or self-paced options below.) Please sign up for BUD 555i-D Foundational Debate III as well. BUD 530o-E Live online course: July 29 – August 10, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.) BUD 530o-F Live online course. Beginning May 23, 2012. Webcast from Morelia, Mexico. Semester format (weekly classes). Taught in Spanish. (Live inclass option above.) BUD 530s-G Self-paced online format: Anytime. Original Instructor: Jirka Hladis.
- BUD 550 Unraveling Logic in Buddhist Texts I BUD 550i-A Summer Institute: Bellingham, WA. Session II: July 29–August 10, 2012. Live inclass course in 13-day intensive format. (Online live or self-paced options below). Click here for other courses to take during Session II of the residential Summer Institute. BUD 550o-B Live online course. July 29–August 10, 2012. (Webcast from Bellingham, WA) 13-day intensive format or self-paced. (Live inclass option above.)
- BUD 554 Foundational Debate II BUD 554i-B New York City, NY: May 12–20, 2012. Live inclass course in 9-day intensive format. Please sign up for BUD 530i-B Mind and Its World IV as well.
- BUD 555 Foundational Debate III BUD 555i-D Morelia, Mexico: Beginning May 23, 2012. Live inclass course in semester format (weekly classes). Taught in Spanish. Please sign up for BUD 530i-D Mind and Its World IV as well.
