Instructor

Younge Khachab Rinpoche
Teaching Assistant: Greg Patenaude
Contact info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Course Description
Treasury of Philosophy 102 will provide students with a firm understanding of the paths of the different philosophical traditions.  Students will study the paths of the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana and how they relate to the view established in the previous course.  This understanding will be based on a non-sectarian study of pivotal works on the subject matter from prominent Tibetan scholars with additional insight into the subject provided by Rinpoche.   

Required Materials

1. Precious Treasury of Philosophical Systems by Longchen Rabjam
2. Maps of the Profound by Jeffrey Hopkins
3. Recommended: Frameworks of Buddhist Philosophy by Jamgon Kongtrul

Objectives

1. Gain an understanding of the Madhamaka tenet system.
2. Gain understanding of the Hinayana paths and their distinctions.
3. Gain understanding of Bodhisattva paths and the culminating result.
4. Gain understanding of the Vajrayana path as established by Sarma and Nyingma schools. 
5. Recognize key distinctions in the understanding of the path according to the four Tibetan schools.

Prerequisites
Successful completion of Treasury of Philosophy 101.

Student Participation
Each week students will have required reading material to complement that weeks lecture.  There will be quiz questions that each student must respond to on the online forum each week, as well as participation in the discussion forums.  This process ensures students understand the material as the course progresses and that doubts and misconceptions are cleared away.  Additionally, students will be required to post a comment or debate question on the Philosophy 101 course each week to deepen one’s familiarity with this material. 

Examination Criteria
A written essay midterm will occur during week 6 to assess the students understanding of the first half of the course material.  This essay will not be graded, but will allow the student and teaching assistant an opportunity to have one-on-one feedback regarding the material.  An oral final examination will be conducted with Rinpoche to assess the students understanding and successful completion of the course material.  The oral examination will focus on certain subject matter that will be discussed during week 12, but the student should be aware that they are responsible for all material covered during the course.   

Schedule

Week 1- Madhyamaka
Week 2- Madhyamaka
Week 3- Madhyamaka
Week 4- Sravaka Path
Week 5- Sravaka Path
Week 6- Pratyekabuddha Path        Midterm Essay
Week 7- Bodhisattva Path
Week 8- Bodhisattva Path
Week 9- Bodhisattva Path
Week 10- Vajrayana
Week 11- Vajrayana
Week 12- Summary and Critical Points

 

Oral Examination to be Scheduled

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