Developing Method & Wisdom - Geshe Sonam Ngodrup

Taught by Geshe Sonam Ngodrup, with translation from Tibetan to English by Venerable Khedrup

We are delighted that Geshe Sonam Ngodrup will be teaching us again this season. The first lesson of the series will be live at our center on August 28th. 

Introduction

The monthly teachings on Wednesday’s evenings will be focused this time on:

• Method – ‘Prayer to be Reborn in the Land of Bliss’ by Lama Tsongkhapa

Wherever one is born within cyclic existence (samsara) one must have weariness in thinking that one never departs permanently from suffering. One should therefore pray strongly for transference to the Pure land of Bliss where one can train to be the best Bodhisatttva bound for Buddhahood. Amitabha Buddha is one of the five wisdom Buddhas of Mahayana Buddhism. His name means "Infinite Light" or "Boundless Light." According to the scriptures, Amitabha made a series of 48 vows in a previous life as the monk Dharmakara, promising to create a pure land where all beings who call upon his name can be reborn and attain enlightenment.

• Wisdom - ‘In Praise of Dharmadhatu’ by the great indian Buddhist master Nagarjuna

“This basic element, which is the seed,

Is held to be the basis of all dharma.

Through its purification step by step,

The state of buddhahood we will attain.”

                –Nagarjuna, “In Praise of Dharmadhatu”

Every living creature has buddha nature–the seed of their very own enlightenment–though it is usually obscured by attitudes like clinging and dissatisfaction. This poetic work from the great 2nd century Indian Buddhist master Nagarjuna shows us how buddha nature exists in all beings, and how it can be gradually uncovered by those who train in the methods described, and blossom into the fully enlightened state of dharmakaya–completely free from all imperfections.

Your teacher Geshe Sonam Ngodrup 

“The positive approach, putting an emphasis on happiness instead of dwelling on fear and negativities too much activates a wish to grow, to continue this path, and the way he offers the teachings with great patience and understanding for all that makes us human, make that this personal growth can take place, in his words, with a joyous effort. The dynamic with his translator, Ven. Khedrup is light and easy-going, and they are able to make one feel connected, both to them and to the teachings.” – student at Maitreya Amsterdam

Geshe Sonam Ngodrup, was born in 1968 in the Ganze region of Kham, Tibet and left at the age of 13 to study Buddhism in India. He was ordained as a novice monk at Sera Jey Monastery that year, and at the age of 21 received full ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Geshe la graduated as a Geshe Lharampa from Sera Jey Monastery in first position in 2003, and in 2004 completed a year of tantric studies at Gyumed Monastery in Hunsur. He was one of the most popular petri geygan (official scripture teachers) at Sera Jey with several hundred students, teaching complex topics of the monastic curriculum. In addition, Geshe la taught sutra studies at Dzongkhar Choede and Gyumed monasteries where his classes were in high demand.

In 2011, Geshe la came to the West, teaching the topics of the Basic Program first at Nalanda Monastery in France and then at Maitreya Institute in the Netherlands, in addition to courses on introductory Buddhism throughout Europe. In 2019, Geshe la settled in Canada. He is a well-loved teacher whose vast scriptural knowledge is tempered by a naturally humble nature and profound non-sectarian approach to the study of the teachings.

Student’s interests & profile

• The lessons are suitable both for starting and advanced practitioners.
• To be able to explore profound Buddhist wisdom & insights explained in a clear and accessible way.
• To be able to learn from a Tibetan Geshe – In the monastic system to graduate as a Geshe is to create the karmic imprints to take rebirth in Shambhala and takes a minimum of 17 years of study. “Ge” means “virtue” and “she” means “knowing.” Geshe thus means one who knows virtue, one who knows what should be practiced and what should be abandoned. A Geshe has undergone the vast and extensive traditional monastic studies on the five major treatises of Buddhist philosophical texts 

Practical details

• Days: August 28 (onsite), October 2, November 6, December 4
• Time: from 19.00 - 21.30 pm CET.
• Language: It will be given in Tibetan, with English translation by Ven. Khedrup
• Online: via Zoom.
• Registration: You can register for the whole series, 4 teachings
• Last-minute registration: Please also send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl, to ensure we can send you the necessary information to join the class.
• Recordings & Transcripts 
  • Video & Audio recordings will be made available to the students.

Donation

Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. By virtue of their generosity, the Buddha and the ordained sangha offer us the teachings, and in exchange, the lay community supports Dharma centers and the monastic community. This interdependence is essential for us to share the Dharma and continue our work to benefit all sentient beings. With your donation we support our teachers in their cost of living and we uphold our dharma center, which is managed entirely by volunteers.

The suggested donation for this series of 4 classes is €60. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation is €40. Please send us an email if you'd like to make use of this option. Keep in mind that the donation amount should never be an obstacle to your access to the Dharma. Please contact us if it might be an obstacle for you.