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MASTERS PROGRAM 1998:
SUPPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS
To supplement the study of the core curriculum, several additional subjects were taught by Geshe Jampa Gyatso and Geshe Tenzin Tenphel during the Masters Program 1998.  Tenets
(drup ta) (Four weeks of study)The study of Tenets covers the presentation of the four basic tenets, or systems of philosophical thought, that were taught by the Buddha as systematized by Tibetan scholars. Since these four systems of tenets occur quite frequently in the texts studied in the Masters Program, this subject is important for understanding such references. The oral commentary was based on the text Presentation of Tenets by Jetsun Chogyi Gyeltsen. This subject was also taught as part of the FPMT Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa.  Awarenesses
and Knowers (lo rig)The study of Awarenesses and Knowers covers the subject of the mind, both in its valid and distorted forms, and its objects. A number of important themes are introduced, including the relationship between the mind and its object, supramundane (yogic) knowing, and the connection between thought and reality. The oral commentary is based on the text Explanation of the Presentation of Objects and Object-Possessors as well as Awareness and Knowledge [from within] “The Greater Path of Reasoning” [Section] of The Magical Key to the Path of Reasoning, Presentation of the Collected Topics Revealing the Meaning of the Treatises on Prime Cognition by Purbujok. This subject was also taught as part of the FPMT Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. • Interpretable and Definitive Meanings An explanation of the interpretable meaning and definitive meaning teachings given by Buddha Shakyamuni based on the Chittamatra section of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Essence of Eloquence. These teachings include an extensive explanation of the three natures or characteristics - other-powered phenomena, thoroughly established phenomena, and imputational factors - asserted by the Chittamatra school of thought. • Naturally Abiding Lineage – Buddha Nature An explanation of the buddha nature or buddha lineage that abides in the continuum of all sentient beings and enables each one of us to achieve the state of omniscience, with particular emphasis on the nine analogies that establish our ability to become free from the obscurations that prevent the state of all-knowing. The oral commentary was based on the first chapter of Maitreya's Sublime Continuum as explained in The Naturally Abiding Lineage that is the Basis of Mahayana Achievings According to Sublime Continuum found in Jetsun Chogyi Gyeltsen’s Ocean of Sport (Rol mtso) - a commentary to the Ornament for Clear Realizations (Abhisamayalamkara). This subject was also taught as part of the FPMT Basic Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa. • Twenty Sangha An explanation of the eight main types of arya sangha - approacher to stream enterer, abider in the result of stream enterer, approacher to once-returner, abider in the result of once-returner, approacher to never-returner, abider in the result of never-returner, approacher to foe-destroyer, and abider in the result of foe-destroyer - and their various subdivisions. The oral commentary was based on Notes Summarizing the Twenty Sangha and Approachers and Abiders by Lama Tsongkhapa. |
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