Introduction
How the Kopan Courses Began

LECTURE 1

• Dharma is one-time work
• We can attain great meaning in our life
• The precious human body is like a wish-granting jewel
• Dr. Nick and the beginning of the Australian Dharma centers
• Padmasambhava subdues the spirits
• Practicing at break times
• The emptiness of the A
• The I and all phenomena are empty

LECTURE 2

• Collective karma is still a product of the mind
• How Buddhism is unique
• The differing views of emptiness of the four schools
• Without emptiness there is no way to cut the root of samsara
• Understanding emptiness brings peace
• Dedications

LECTURE 3

• The three levels of teachings are condensed into the lamrim
• The Buddha showed the path through the twelve deeds
• We need purification practice
• Difficult or easy depends on karma
• Problems come from following the eight worldly dharmas
• Dedications

LECTURE 4

• The power of prayers
• Absolute and conventional Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
• Refuge in one refuge object protects us from the lower realms
• Becoming the absolute Buddha and Sangha

LECTURE 5

• The qualities of Lama Tsongkhapa

LECTURE 6

• Enlightenment is not just a vacation
• Death can happen at any moment
• The continuity of the consciousness
• Why the guru appears in an ordinary aspect
• Our own faults appear as the guru’s actions
• Lama Yeshe
• Dedications

LECTURE 7

• Vajrayana is not a separate vehicle from Mahayana
• Dedications

LECTURE 8

• See all causative phenomena like an illusion
• Vajrasattva initiation introduction

LECTURE 9

• Vajrasattva preparation: Give up stretching the legs
• Vajrasattva initiation preparation
• The guru is inseparable from the Buddha
• Milarepa’s guru devotion
• The benefits of Vajrasattva practice

LECTURE 10

• White Tara initiation preparation

LECTURE 11

• Taking refuge every second
• Developing pure compassion
• For peace, practice a good heart
• Refuge and the karma of living in vows
• Dedications

LECTURE 12

• Rinpoche’s previous incarnation and early life
• Rinpoche’s mother’s incarnation
• When Rinpoche was recognized as the Lawudo Lama

LECTURE 13

• Oral transmission of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga
• With a lot of merit realizing emptiness is not difficult
• The importance of rejoicing
• Oral transmission of Shakyamuni Buddha’s mantra
• Dedications

LECTURE 14

• Chenrezig initiation preparation
• The story of Gelongma Palmo
• Chenrezig initiation motivation
• The meaning of OM MANI PADME HUM
• The emptiness of the I
• The problems of believing in the real I
• The emptiness of phenomena

LECTURE 15

• Book signing: The beginning of the FPMT
• The Panchen Lama

LECTURE 16

• Long-life puja

LECTURE 17 

• The meaning of jetsun (during a tea offering)
• The benefits of reciting the Offering Cloud Mantra
• Sur commentary
• The twenty-five substances to be mixed with the tsampa
• Mantras and prayers for sur practice
• Oral transmission of Ksitigarbha practice
• Dedications