In the Nalandabodhi Path of Study, your studies of selflessness in the Hinayana are the jumping off point for understanding Mahayana selflessness, which broadens the notion beyond personal selflessness into the vastness ofmahashunyata, or the "great emptiness." The Mahayana Courses begin with an introductory course called "The Heart of Daring." In the Mahayana teachings we look at the possibility of generating limitless compassion, the unbounded intention to help all sentient beings, known in Sanskrit asbodhichitta.
The brief outline on this page is only a general overview of the
Mahayana courses offered by Nalandabodhi. The complete detailed
syllabus and selection of reading materials is available to
Nalandabodhi members and participants enrolled in the Path of Study
program.
You can take these classes at Nalandabodhi Centers and Study Group locations,
or through online courses.
The Mahayana Series: Compassion Without Limit
Introduction to the Mahayana: The Heart of Daring
(MAH 300)
The first course introduces you to the Mahayana teachings on
selflessness, compassion and the concept of selfless compassion,
the stages of the Mahayana path, and the role of the spiritual
friend in reaching enlightenment, the goal of the Mahayana
path.
Mahayana View I: Everything is Mind (MAH
310)
In the second course, we begin detailed studies of the expanded
view of emptiness, which grounds the activity of limitless
compassion. We start by looking at the way the mind structures our
reality through categories of consciousness and realms of
existence.
Mahayana View II: Not Even a Middle (MAH
311)
We continue our detailed look at emptiness by a closer examination
of the interdependence of all phenomena. What are we to make of the
logical conclusion of these studies -- that all phenomena have no
self-nature? Is this lack of self-nature a mere absence? To answer
this, we look at the teachings on "wisdom as luminous clarity."
Mahayana Path I: Bodhicitta and the Six Paramitas (MAH 330)
Mahayana Path II: Seven Points of Mind Training (MAH 331)
Path and Fruition: The Ten Bhumis, the Three Kayas, and
the Five Wisdoms (MAH 350)
In the concluding classes of the Mahayana in the Nalandabodhi Path
of Study, we look at the practices and results of the Mahayana
path. The bodhisattva intention to benefit all beings without
limitation is made possible by a firm understanding that there are
no inherent limitations on compassionate activity. Moreover, we
learn that such activity is not a vague invitation to engage in
"good works" of an unspecified nature. Rather, the teachings
provide a detailed roadmap of paths and levels of accomplishment
that are achieved through the specific techniques of the Mahayana
path. The final attainment is Mahayana enlightenment. These
teachings also provide a bridge to your study of the Vajrayana
path.
There is a more detailed outline of courses in the Nalandabodhi Mahayana series on this website, but for a complete list of all course materials, please contact a Nalandabodhi Center. Nalandabodhi members receive a 50% reduction in tuition for courses (regular tuition is $50/course).