Vajrayana Teachings

37 Stages of Instructions Curriculum

 

According to the extraordinary key instructions and practices of the lineage masters, it is extremely important for those who wish to practice the Buddha’s teachings to begin by creating a stable foundation for the spiritual path with the preliminary practices (ngöndro) and mind training (lojong). One may then proceed to the other elements of this profound path. Progressing through these levels in a step-by-step manner will bring one to a precise realization of the view of the Great Perfection—the ultimate, true nature of things. The following curriculum is designed to gradually immerse the mind of the student in these contemplative practices. The ten seminars of the 37 Stages of Instructions curriculum guide students through the various stages of the spiritual path. The first seminar contains teachings suitable for practitioners of all spiritual backgrounds. Seminars two through ten are designed for those who have entered the Buddhist path by taking refuge vows and who intend to complete their preliminary practices (ngöndro) under the guidance of Khenpo Sherab Sangpo.

A path that does not rely upon loving-kindness, compassion, and bodhicitta
Is not the Vajrayāna; it is some other path.
No matter how much one meditates,
If one does not tame the mind, it is a sign that the yogi and
the Dharma are not one.

Longchenpa

The Self-Liberation of Mind

The guru is the Buddha,
The guru is the Dharma,
The guru is the Sangha.
The guru is the one who grants all accomplishment.
The guru is the glorious Vajradhāra.

Dzogchen Lineage Transmission of Khenpo Sherab Sangpo

If you have the fivefold view that the guru is the Buddha, if you supplicate the guru with devotion, and if you inseparably unite your mind with the mind of the guru, you will receive the true realization of the pith instructions of the oral transmission lineage that is the definitive meaning of this sādhana that accomplishes the guru.

Dzogchen Lineage Transmission of Khenpo Sherab Sangpo

Seminar 4: Shamatha

14. Meditation on Shamatha with Object—Key Oral Instructions of Patrul Rinpoche and Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche
15. Introduction to the Five Experiences of Shamatha Meditation—Instructions of Mipham Rinpoche
16. Meditation on Shamatha without Object—Key Instructions of Mipham Rinpoche and Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche
17. Introduction to the Three Experiences of Objectless Shamatha Meditation—Instructions of Mipham Rinpoche
18. Introduction to the Unity of Shamatha and Vipashyana through the View of the Inseparability of Stillness and Movement—Key Instructions of Longchenpa and Mipham Rinpoche

 

Seminar 5: Vipashyana

19. Meditation on Investigating the Mind—Oral Instructions of Khenchen Padma Tsewang and Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche
20. Meditation on the Absence of the Individual Self and Destructive Emotions—Instructions of Mipham Rinpoche
21. Introduction to Making a Clear Distinction between Mind and Rigpa—Key Oral Instructions of Khenchen Jigmé Phuntsok and Dzogchen Master Tanpé Wangchuk

 

Not stained by grasping at objects on the outside;
Not tainted by conceptual grasping on the inside;
And, in between, letting go in naked, empty awareness:
This is the awakened mind of all buddhas.

Longchenpa

Seminar 6: Trekchö

22. Pointing out the Nature of Mind—According to the Key Oral Instructions of Khenchen Jigmé Phuntsok, Dzogchen Master Tanpé Wangchuk, and Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche
23. Pointing out the Nature of Mind as the Three Kayas—Oral Instructions of Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche and Dzogchen Master Tanpé Wangchuk
24. Introduction to Resting the Mind, Movement of Thoughts, and Clarity of Awareness—Key Instructions of Longchenpa and Mipham Rinpoche

Seminar 7: Trekchö

25. Dzogchen Teaching on Three Words That Strike the Vital Point—Key Oral Instructions of Garap Dorjé, Khenchen Jigmé Phuntsok, and Dzogchen Master Tanpé Wangchuk
26. Dzogchen Teaching on The Lamp That Dispels Darkness—Key Oral Instructions of Mipham Rinpoche, Khenchen Jigmé Phuntsok, and Dzogchen Master Tanpé Wangchuk
27. Pointing out the Realization of the Threefold Space (Three Skies)—Oral Instructions of Rigdzin Jigmé Lingpa and Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche

Seminar 8: Trekchö

28. Teaching on the Self-Liberation of the Six Senses—Oral Instructions of Rigdzin Jigmé Lingpa and Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche (accumulate one hundred thousand recitations)
29. Pointing out the Clear Distinction between Understanding, Experience, and Realization—Key Oral Instructions of Khenchen Jigmé Phuntsok and Khenchen Padma Tsewang
30. Introduction to the Three Mistakes, Three Faults, and Three Losses—Instructions of Longchenpa

Seminar 9: Trekchö

31. Dzogchen Meditation on the Twenty-Five Spheres—According to the Key Instructions of Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche
32. Introduction on the Path to Accomplish the Four Great Modes of Liberation—Instructions of Rigdzin Jigmé Lingpa

Seminar 10: Tögal

33. Pointing out the Direct Leap (Tögal)—Key Oral Instructions of Rigdzin Jigmé Lingpa, Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche, and Dzogchen Master Tanpé Wangchuk
34. Introduction to the Three Key Points of Direct Leap (Tögal) Meditation—Oral Instructions of Rigdzin Jigmé Lingpa and Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche
35. Pointing out the Six Lamps of Direct Leap (Tögal) Meditation—Key Oral Instructions of Rigdzin Jigmé Lingpa, Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche, and Dzogchen Master Tanpé Wangchuk
36. Introduction to the Four Ways of Leaving Things in Their Natural Simplicity—Instructions of Mipham Rinpoche and Khenchen Jigmé Phuntsok
37. Introduction to the Path to Accomplish the Four Visions of the Direct Leap (Tögal)—Key Instructions of Rigdzin Jigmé Lingpa

We have gained a perfect human form with its freedoms and advantages, we have met the precious teachings of the Mahāyāna, and we have the freedom to practice the sacred Dharma authentically. So, at this time, let us not waste our lives in meaningless pursuits, but work towards the genuine, lasting goal.

Longchenpa

HO
All that appears and exists—all of samsara and nirvana—has one ground, two paths, and two results. It is a miraculous display of knowing and not knowing. Through the prayer of Samantabhadra, may all beings realize perfect enlightenment in the expanse of the dharmadhatu.

Kuntuzangpo Monlam

Pin It on Pinterest