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: The Concept of True Existence
December 6, 2007
- The concept of true existence cheats us
- Hungry ghosts and dogs
- Believing the I to be truly existing
- The object to be refuted
- We perceive all the senses as real
- The person criticizing us is the object of refutation
- Shopping with the three principal aspects of the path
- The real solution to global warming is transforming our mind
- Coming to the Kopan Course is the best decision
- Dedications
Lecture 2: Seeking Enlightenment
December 7, 2007
- Buddhism is even for non-Buddhists
- Those who have omniscience
- With self-cherishing, there is one problem after another
- We can only develop patience with somebody who harms us
- We need patience and renunciation
- After meeting is separation; after birth is death
- Looking for the I
- The death of Geshe Jampa Gyatso
- Ignorance is the king of superstitions
- The way to act when seeking enlightenment
- Dedications
Lecture 3: The Special Attitude
December 9, 2007
- Developing bodhicitta
- The continuity of the mind: The first proof of reincarnation
- Stories of reincarnated lamas: Lama Ösel
- Stories of reincarnated lamas: Rinpoche’s mother
- Stories of reincarnated lamas: Geshe Lama Konchog
- Past negativities arising easily proves reincarnation
- Reincarnation proved by experience
- The kindness of the mother
- Repaying the kindness
- Love and compassion alone are not enough
- Great loving kindness and great compassion
- Special attitude
- We need Highest Yoga Tantra to become enlightened quickly
- Dedications
Lecture 4: Refuge and Lay Vows
December 10, 2007
- Buddha nature
- Believing the label
- The cause of the first moment in the womb proves reincarnation
- If the I is one with the aggregates many mistakes arise
- If the I is separate from the aggregates many mistakes arise
- The I depends on the aggregates
- We do everything for this I that is not there
- Going beyond the real I
- The form and formless realms still have suffering
- The I on the aggregates
- Taking refuge
- The results of negative and positive karma
- The secret of the mind
- Doing calm abiding with the four motivations
- Rinpoche’s early life
- Opening the door of Dharma
- The importance of taking the vows
- The refuge ceremony
- Three things to be abandoned and three to be practiced
- Dedications
- Visiting the holy places
Lecture 5: Boudhanath Stupa
December 11, 2007
- Meditation alone is not enough
- The importance of guru devotion
- Boudhanath Stupa
- More benefits of offering and circumabulating
- The benefits of prostrating
- When you go to the Boudhanath Stupa
Lecture 6: Lama Atisha's Lamp for the Path
December 11, 2007
- The great yogis see completely differently
- How we perceive things depends on the level of our mind
- Atisha is invited to Tibet
- The oral transmission of the Lamp for the Path
Lecture 7: The Unmistaken Path
December 17, 2007
- Happiness comes from a virtuous mind
- The purpose of Kopan
- To achieve the path the foundation is morality