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What Else Is New at Learning from Buddha College and Seminary (LFBCS), February 24, 2024

On February 24, 2024 we continued our study of DCB22- Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-I by exploring how the methods of the various sects or schools of Buddhism work and what it means to practice in the “Dharma-Ending Age” we now live in.

What Is Meant by the Dharma-Ending Age?

The Buddha Master explained that although we are living in the Dharma-ending age,

He further told us that there is a qualitative difference between our Dharma-ending ages and other ages in regards to what is needed to generate supernormal powers. We must not only illuminate our minds and see our original nature, but we

How Do the Methods Used by Various Sects of Buddhism Compare?

The Buddha Master also told us that we cannot say that Tibetan esoteric Buddhism is great or that Chan/Zen or the Pure Land sects are not so great. What He did say was that

We also learned how the Chan/Zen school, the Pure Land school, and the Huayen school enabled their followers to realize the nature of emptiness. They all had specific methods to enable us to let go of our attachments to the six sense bases, the objects of the six sense bases, and the five aggregates so as to naturally become

When this happens then the nature of emptiness would appear before us. The differences in practice between two famous Chinese Buddhist institutions–the Gaomin Monastery and the Jinshan Temple was discussed along with what is required to be able to become accomplished at the Gaomin Monastery.

Is Buddha Dharma Scientific?

We were told that

What are Samatha and Vipashyana?

We were also taught how to practice samatha and vipashyana and how they work and why actual

Understanding theories is not enough! A preparatory practice for samatha and vipasyana was described where you visualize a ball with light on it.


We will continue this discussion at our March 9 ZOOM session starting at 9:00 am exploring more deeply how Avalokiteshvara observed her intrinsic nature to become enlightened; what it means to “practice deeply prajna-paramita”; and more. There will be no class on March 2.

The recording of the February 17 class is now available. You must be enrolled in DCB22 in one of the membership programs at the LFBCS to access the course materials, questions covered (in parenthesis), and/or the class recordings. Please note that these links will only work if you are logged into LFBCS with your membership Identification number AND are enrolled in this class. Please note that Lessons 6A and 6B are part of Course C41.

February 24, 2024: Lesson 9A.2-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart SutraI, “Practicing Deeply”,   (59-77) and (HERE) for recording of class.

February 17, 2024: Lesson 9A.1-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart SutraI, “Practicing Deeply”,   (51-58) and (HERE) for recording of class.

February 17, 2024: Lesson 8C-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart SutraI, “Bodhisattva”,   (37-50) and (HERE) for recording of class.

February 17, 2024: Lesson 8BThe Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart SutraI, “Avalokiteshvara”,   (31-36) and (HERE) for recording of class.

February 10, 2024: Lesson 8A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart SutraI, “Avalokiteshvara”,   (1-30) and (HERE) for recording of class.

February 3, 2024: Lesson 6B-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-Prajna(Wisdom) & Dhyana(Ta), (355-369) and HERE for recording of class.

January 20, 2024: Lesson 6AThe Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-Prajna & Dhyana(Ta), (317-354) and HERE for recording of class.

CLICK for article on the entire text of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.

CLICK for article with instructions on how to enroll in LFBCS classes and how to register for the ZOOM discussions.

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Zhaxi Zhuoma

Thus Have I Seen (and Heard) on zhaxizhuoma.org is a blog offered by Zhaxi Zhuoma for English-speaking followers and those interested in the teachings and activities of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Read more about this blog

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Most of the quotes from H.H Dorje Chang Buddha III posted on this blog are from unapproved translations and may contain errors. Likewise the contents of this blog have not been reviewed or approved by the Buddha and should be considered as reference material and not Buddha-dharma.

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