ACI IX: Ethics with John Stilwell, Tuesdays 7-9pm, beginning Sept 20

Why do ethics matter? What's the point in taking vows; what are they, what do they do? Why do all spiritual traditions emphasize ethics? This course explains the role of Buddhist ethics in achieving enlightenment—why living an ethical life is the secret key to deep meditation, experiencing ultimate reality, and paradise. Every happiness and success stems from ethical living, and we explore methods to train in ethics, keep vows from being damaged, and clean past negativity.

One day vows, lifetime lay vows, freedom vows, along with the three trainings and an outline of novice, intermediate, and fully ordained monastic vows are included based upon the Sutra on Vowed Morality (Vinaya Sutra) by Master Gunaprabha (500 AD), with a commentary from The Essence of the Ocean of Vinaya (Dulwa Gyatsoy Nyingpo) by Je Tsongkapa (1357-1419).

John Stilwell is a former director of the Asian Classics Institute (ACI), Godstow Retreat Center, and was General Manger of Land of Medicine Buddha. He is an executive and father who began teaching yoga 20 years ago, and has taught Buddhist sutra and tantra in the tradition of Je Tsongkapa for 15 years with a contemporary perspective highly relevant to daily life. John received transmission of the 18 Courses from Arya Sumati Dharmadhara, Geshe Michael Roach.

ACI I: The Principal Teachings of Buddhism with Hector Marcel // Every Thursday 7:30 - 9:30pm for 12 weeks, beginning Mar 24

Asian Classic Institue Course 1: The Principal Teachings of Buddhism
Level One of the Steps to Buddhahood (Lam Rim)

Every Thursday 7:30 - 9:30pm for 12 weeks, beginning Mar 24

This Course is an excellent overview of the entire Buddhist path; all subsequent Courses elaborate upon the ideas presented in this Course. This Course is based upon The Three Principal Paths (Lamtso Namsum) by Je Tsongkapa (1357-1419), with the commentary of Pabongka Rinpoche (1878-1941). Topics include: what is a qualified teacher, how to take a lama, what is Buddha nature, what is authentic Dharma, what are samsara and renunciation, the principles of karma, the problems of human life, bodhichitta and its benefits, how to generate bodhichitta, the two levels of reality, what is the correct view of emptiness according to each of the four schools of thought, and the relationship between karma and emptiness.

Class will be broadcast live on ustream.

Geshe Michael Unearths Kedrup Je // Thursday, October 14, 2010. 5:30 - 7:30pm.

Geshe Michael Roach will give a talk on a rare text by Kedrup Je (1385-1438), the great tantric disciple of Je Tsongkapa, teacher of His Holiness the First Dalai Lama. This "Ten Promises to Myself" is Kedrup Je's look at his own heart, and advices to himself that can help us live a more sacred life. The text has never before been translated or taught in English. This teaching is a wonderful blessing. Please come for the benefit of all beings!