We listened to and discussed “The Supreme and Magnificent Dharma”, Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 9:00 am PDT and again on August 3rd. CLICK to gain access to ZOOM link to be able to join this class. This discourse explains why you must learn Dharma and understand the basic principles of Buddhism, if you want to gain the benefits of Buddhism. It stresses that without understanding these principles your cultivation may be in vain or not produce any beneficial effects. It is such an important fundamental discourse that hearing and understanding it is required before you listen to other discourses.
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Someone requested that I share the questions that I had prepared for these discourses as a sort of study guide when we had access to earlier translation and were engaged in formal study of the various discourses. The following are my questions for this discourse. We will cover these questions and others that you may have while studying this discourse.
| 1-What is the most important point in this discourse? |
| 2-What is the purpose of studying Buddhism and cultivating yourself? |
| 3-What are some of the steps to be followed in learning the Buddha-dharma that are mentioned in this discourse? |
| 4-What do most (esoteric) disciples think is the most important part of learning the Buddha-dharma? |
| 5-Are some dharma methods better than others? |
| 6-What happens during a tantric initiation? |
| 7-What is the typical process of cultivation after receiving tantric initiation to do esoteric practice? What happens when you do this? |
| 8-What will happen to your vajra seeds if you don’t understand the underlying principles? |
| 9-A certain rinpoche wrote that since Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and all living beings possess the Buddha-nature there is no difference between Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and living beings. Was he correct? If not, why not? |
| 10-Is it enough to just listen to discourses or read books? |
| 11-How important is tantric practice? |
| 12-To practice tantra, you must receive an initiation from your Master. How does this happen? |
| 13-What does it mean if your Master does not want to teach you? |
| 14-What are the prerequisites for the Great Dharma King transmitting the highest esoteric dharma to you? |
| 15-The Great Dharma King mentioned two ways you will be tested to see if you are ready to receive certain dharmas and if you can meet the requirements of the dharma. What were they? Who is testing you in this process? |
| 16-What are some examples of esoteric dharma methods and what are the prerequisites for receiving them?? |
| 17-What is the relationship between cultivation and esoteric or tantric practice? |
| 18-What did the Great Dharma King say about Zen practice? |
| 19-What happens if one who practices the vajra esoteric dharma commits an offense? |
| 20-What happens once you have practiced the esoteric (Vajra Division) dharma? Can you become a Bodhisattva in this lifetime? |
| 21-What is and how can you cultivate good fortune? |
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