Kopan Course No. 30 (1997)

By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Kopan Monastery, Nepal (Archive #1096)

These teachings were given by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche at the 30th Kopan Meditation Course, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in December 1997. Lightly edited by Gordon McDougall.

Go to the Index page to view an outline of topics and click on the links to go directly to the lectures. You can also download a PDF of the entire course.

Long Life Puja for Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery, 2010. Photo: Mikk Tamme.
Kopan Course No. 30 Index Page

The Index Page provides an outline of the topics discussed in each of the lectures. Click on the links below to go directly to a particular lecture.

Lecture 1
December 1, 1997
  • Meditating on the lamrim brings peace
Lecture 2
December 3, 1997
  • What is the Dharma?
  • Atisha
  • The benefits of studying the lamrim
  • Clinging to this life brings suffering
  • Everything depends on the motivation
Lecture 3
December 4, 1997
  • Goats and vegetarianism
  • Repaying the kindness of others
  • Our ego blocks us from repaying their kindness
  • Serving others in the best way
  • Snakes cannot cease the cause of samsara
Lecture 4
December 5, 1997
  • The three types of suffering
  • Searching for the I: The object of refutation
  • Searching for the I: The label and the base
  • The mind is the creator: Everything is a reflection of our mind
  • The mind is the creator: Appearances arise due to imprints
  • The mind is the creator: Ignorance is the root of samsara
  • Our aggregates are in the nature of suffering
  • Is shamatha a samsaric pleasure?
  • Refuge for ourselves and others
  • The benefits of taking refuge
Lecture 5
December 6, 1997
  • Look at all causative phenomena as like an illusion
  • Does a dream have a base?
  • Is the dream image permanent?
  • The three criteria of conventional existence
Lecture 6
December 7, 1997
  • Causative phenomena are impermanent
  • The requesting prayer of the lineage lamas visualization
  • Serkong Dorje Chang and Milarepa
  • Developing compassion: Expanding our scope
  • Developing renunciation
  • The special attitude of bodhicitta
  • Gen Jampa Wangdu
  • Lama Yeshe was a yogi
  • Examples of the buddhas’ enlightened activities
  • The guru is an emanation of the Buddha
  • Base and label question and answer
  • Profound analysis is needed to make realizations stable
Lecture 7
December 8, 1997
  • The four aspects of karma: Experiencing the result similar to the cause
  • The four aspects of karma: Karma is definite and it expands
  • The severity of breaking vows
  • The benefits of doing Vajrasattva practice
Lecture 8
December 9, 1997
  • We need mindfulness to ascertain impermanence
  • Visualization of the merit field of the lineage lamas
  • The root guru is the one who has benefited us the most
  • Anybody who has given us the Dharma is our guru
  • The importance of guru devotion
  • The inseparability of the guru and all deities
  • How precious that the guru manifests in an ordinary aspect

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