24 April, 2016
Dear friends
I have a few things to share with you:
1) This is something minor, but I noticed that I made a mistake in the title of one of
the files for Module 2: I wrote “Homework_Answers_EBP_Module_2_2” when it
should have said “Homework_Answers_EBP_Module_2_1.” So I have renamed the file
and Karen put it up on the website. If you already downloaded the original one, you
can download the new one, or just change the name of the file on your computer—
the information in both files is exactly the same. And from now on I will start using a
different name for the homework answers: e.g. “Answer Key for EBP Homework_
Module_2_2”
2) As of today, there are two new sets of homework questions on the website: #2 for
Module 2, and #1 for Module 3.
3) Module 3 will be short; I plan to complete it on 5 May, and then we will start
Module 4 (The Path to Enlightenment) on Saturday, 7 May. That day will be a oneday retreat/seminar at CVM, from 10:00 to around 17:00. Module 4 will continue
until the end of June.
For Module 4, I will be using a book entitled The Three Principal Aspects of the
Path by Geshe Sonam Rinchen (published by Snow Lion). Jette has ordered 10
copies, so if you wish to have your own copy, you will be able to buy one at CVM
(unless they run out!) Or you might like to order your own copy. If you don’t know
how, one suggestion is the Book Depository in the UK
(https://www.bookdepository.com). They do not charge for postage. If you prefer a
kindle version, you can get that on amazon.com.
4) I thought to let you know about some very interesting videos: the last Mind & Life
Conference (Mind & Life XXX) which was held at Drepung Monastery in South India
in December, 2015, had as its title “Perception, Concepts and Self.” The topic of
perception and concepts relates to Module 3 which has just started—we will begin
learning about this topic next Thursday. And the topic of “self” (or the lack of one!) is
related to the last Module on the 2 truths. If you have time to watch, I’m sure you
will find them very interesting. You can find the videos on Youtube or on the Dalai
Lama’s website (see link below, as well as an outline of all the sessions).
In Session 5 of the conference there is a presentation on the various views of
self in both western philosophy and Buddhism, given by Jay Garfield (an American
philosophy professor). The session begins with a Tibetan Geshe giving a
presentation about selflessness from the Buddhist perspective, which is very find
interesting, but if you want to watch only Garfield’s presentation, it starts at 1:10:18.
5) Finally, a reminder: the deadline for sending me your complete exam for Module
1 is next Sunday, 30 April. So far I have only received three exams. Of course, the
exam is optional, but I think it’s helpful to do it—it gives you an opportunity to
review what we have studied together and check how much you have understood.
And the exam is not at all difficult. I think you will enjoy doing it!
Best wishes,
Sangye Khadro
Here is the link for the Mind & Life XXX videos:
http://www.dalailama.com/webcasts/post/350-perceptions-conceptsand-self---mind-and-life-xxx
Video & Audio | The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Session 1 - Introduction and Perception
Moderated by: Roshi Joan Halifax
Perception, Concepts and the Self: Perspectives from Western
Science and Philosophy
Presenters: Richard J. Davidson and Jay Garfield
Does our Perception Mirror Reality? Theories of Perception in
Buddhist Epistemology
Presenter: Thupten Jinpa
Session 2 - Perception
Moderated by Richard J. Davidson
Project Prakash - Merging Science and Service
Presenter: Pawan Sinha
Session 3 - Perception and Concepts
Moderated by: Jay Garfield
Examining the Perception of Body Sensations: Correlating Aspects
of Perceptual Processes with Mind, Self, and Basic Physiology
Presenter: Catherine Kerr
Four Aspects of Concept Formation in the Buddhist Epistemological
Tradition
Presenter: John Dunne
Session 4 - Concepts and Language
Moderated by: Carol Worthman
Language and Mind: How the Languages We Speak Shape the
Ways We Think
Presenter: Lera Boroditsky
Session 5 - Self in Buddhism
Moderated by: John Dunne
The Self: What Isn’t It?
Presenter: Jay Garfield
The Self in a Buddhist Perspective
Presenter: Professor Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe
Session 6 - Development of the Self
Moderated by: John Dunne
The Self in Engagement: Perspectives from Developmental
Psychology
Presenter: Vasudevi Reddy
Session 7 - Self in the World
Moderated by: Roshi Joan Halifax
Self & Ethics: The Science of Altruism
Presenter: Matthieu Ricard
Commentary from the perspective of contemplative science
Presenter: Richard Davidson.
Session 8 - Buddhism-Science Exchange
Moderated by: Carol Worthman
The Exchange of Ideas Between Buddhism and Western Culture:
Challenges and Opportunities
Presenters: Geshe Lhakdor, Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, Geshe
Dadul Namgyal & Yangsi Rinpoche
Closing Dialogue: Integration and Future Directions