BA Buddhist Mind Training – Year 3

Fifth Semester – Actual Practice – Ultimate Awakening Mind Preliminaries – Calm Abiding

Module 1: The Necessity of Meditative Concentration – Explication & Practice

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Code No.: XXX

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are taught how to distinguish a theoretical understanding from a first-hand experiential understanding. Students are instructed using the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge, The Precious Ornament of Liberation, and the professor’s own experience.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To show the limited benefits of mere intellectual understanding.
To foster appreciation for experiential understanding.
To instil a sense of certainty regarding the necessity of meditation.
To encourage students in the development of their own personal meditation practice.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The necessity of meditative concentration
   2. The necessity by way of analogies
2. Progressive contemplation of:
   1. The limitations of intellectual understanding
   2. The practice of bringing an intellectual understanding into the experiential realm

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b	3×20

Module 2: Identifying Meditative Concentration – Explication & Practice

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Code No.: XXX

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are taught how to identify meditative concentration and its categories. The difference between mundane and transcendent meditations and calm abiding and insight meditation is defined, as well as their relationship, distinct etymologies and processes. Students are instructed using the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge, The Precious Ornament of Liberation, and the professor’s own experience.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To instil certainty regarding what meditative concentration is and is not.
To encourage students in the development of their own personal meditation practice.
To instil certainty about the difference between mundane and transcendent meditations.
To foster familiarity with the lexical semantics of calm abiding and insight meditation.
To inform the students’ personal meditation.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The different types of meditative concentration
   2. The difference between mundane and transcendent meditations
   3. The essence of calm abiding and insight meditation
   4. The relationship and etymologies of calm abiding and insight meditation
2. Progressive contemplation of meditative concentration

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b, a-c, a-d	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b, a-c, a-d	3×20

Module 3: Adopting the Causes of Calm Abiding – Explication & Practice

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Code No.: XXX

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are taught the causes and circumstances that are counter-productive to the development of calm abiding meditation and those which are required. Students are guided through an examination and contemplation of the conducive causes and their effects following the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge and The Precious Ornament of Liberation.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To foster an understanding of what is required to develop authentic meditation.
To demonstrate the benefits of simple living in general.
To inculcate a sense of contentment.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The counter-productive circumstances
   2. The causes of calm abiding meditation
2. Progressive contemplation of:
   1. The counter-productive circumstances
   2. The causes of calm abiding meditation

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b	3×20

Module 4: The Stages of Calm Abiding – Explication & Practice

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Code No.: XXX

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are taught the different levels of meditative concentration in the different realms and that of cessation. These are then contemplated following the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge and The Precious Ornament of Liberation.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To foster a broader understanding of meditation.
To demonstrate that not all forms of meditation are favourable to the ultimate objective of Buddhism.
To encourage students to pursue meditations that will bring their own and others’ greater good.
To encourage students in further study and meditation practice.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The meditation of desire realm beings
   2. The meditation of beings in the form and formless realms
   3. The meditation in the state of cessation
2. Progressive contemplation of:
   1. The meditation of desire realm beings
   2. The meditation of beings in the form and formless realms
   3. The meditation in the state of cessation

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b, a-c	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b, a-c	3×20

Sixth Semester – Actual Practice – Ultimate Awakening Mind Preliminaries – Calm Abiding

Module 1: The Process of the Practice – Explication & Practice

Code No.: XXX

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are formally taught the correct physical posture to adopt while meditating and the general methods for focusing the mind. Each of the above is practised following the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge and The Precious Ornament of Liberation.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To foster clarity concerning the correct physical posture and its benefits.
To encourage students to facilitate their meditation through the correct posture.
To instil knowledge of the general methods for setting the mind in meditation.
To inform the students’ own meditation.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The correct posture
   2. The four general methods of focusing
2. Progressive practice in:
   1. Adopting the posture
   2. The four general methods of focusing

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b	3×20

Module 2: Abiding with a Focal Support – Explication & Practice

Code No.: XXX

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are taught the manner of meditation with a particular focus. Theoretical and practical instructions are given for meditating with both pure and impure physical focal supports, following the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge and The Precious Ornament of Liberation, as well as the professor’s own experience.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To instil certainty regarding meditation with an external physical object as a focal support.
To encourage students in the development of their own personal meditation practice.
To instil certainty about the difference between impure and pure physical supports.
To foster experience in using the different types of physical supports.
To develop stability of mind to utilise for profound analysis.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The meditation with an impure focal support
   2. The meditation with a pure focal support
2. Progressive practice in:
   1. The meditation with an impure focal support
   2. The meditation with a pure focal support

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b	3×20

Module 3: Abiding Without a Focus – Explication & Practice

Code No.: XXX

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are taught the manner of meditation without an external, physical focus. Theoretical and practical instructions are given for meditating on aspects of one’s body or something imagined, following the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge and The Precious Ornament of Liberation, as well as the professor’s own experience.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To instil certainty regarding meditation without an external physical object as a focal support.
To encourage students in the development of their own personal meditation practice.
To instil certainty about the difference between directing one’s attention externally and internally.
To develop stability of mind to utilise for profound analysis.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The meditation on aspects of the body
   2. The meditation on an imagined image of an enlightened being
2. Progressive practice in:
   1. The meditation on aspects of the body
   2. The meditation on an imagined image of an enlightened being

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b	3×20

Module 4: Abiding Within the Essential Nature – Explication & Practice

Code No.: XXX

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students are taught how, through employing the previously taught meditation methods, one comes to the essence of calm-abiding meditation. This essence is explained and then pursued following the relevant sections of The Treasury of Knowledge and The Precious Ornament of Liberation.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To foster a broader understanding of meditation.
To foster an understanding of the essence of calm-abiding meditation.
To bring students to an experiential taste of the essence of calm-abiding meditation.
To encourage students in further study and meditation practice.
To develop stability of mind to utilise for profound analysis.

Course Components

The course is comprised of two main units:

1. Explication of:
   1. The essence of calm-abiding meditation
   2. How the essence is the consummate state of calm-abiding meditation
2. Progressive practice in pursuing the essence

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b	3×20

Module 5: History of the Eight Practice Lineages – 6. Zhijé and Chö (Pacification and Severance)

Code No.: XXX

Credit Hr: 3

Contact Hr: 48

Full Mark: 100

Course Description

Students track the progression of Buddhism in Tibet – the context of the development of Zhijé and Chö (Pacification and Severance) and identify its leading masters. Comparative research will draw from various texts, including The Blue Annals and The Treasury of Knowledge.

Course Objectives

The specific objectives of this course are:

To understand how the cycles of instructions unique to Zhijé and Chö came from India and Nepal to Tibet.
To gain confidence in the reliability of this transmission of teachings that stems from the Buddha.
To develop faith in this transmission.
To appreciate the current opportunity to study and practice these longstanding teachings.

Course Components

The course is comprised of three units:

1. The origins of Zhijé with the Indian master Padampa Sangye
2. The introduction of Chö by the Tibetan yogini Machik Labdrön
3. The principal transmissions of this lineage

Teaching and Evaluation Procedures

1. Dharma teachings
2. Meditation sessions
3. Oral examination
4. Written examination

Evaluation Procedures

Internal Evaluation: 40% of the total grade

1. Attendance – 5
2. Conduct – 10
3. Oral examination – explanation of a section of text – 25

Final Examination: 60% of the total grade

Group A: Long Comprehensive Question = 60 Marks or
Group B: Short Condensed Questions = 60 Marks

Question Grid

S.N.	Questions	Units	No. of Questions
1	Long Comprehensive Question	a-a, a-b, a-c	1×60
2	Short Condensed Questions	a-a, a-b, a-c	3×20