The Dharma of Well-Being Part 2
This course is entirely standalone but also the critical second installment in Lama Alan’s Dharma of Well-Being series—we encourage new participants as well as participants of either of the other two courses to join our renowned and charismatic course leader as he delves into this profound material.
About this Course
In Pristine Awareness Realizing Reality, Lama Alan explores the wisdom of the second turning of the wheel of Dharma, and the deeper causes of mental distress and mental well-being. The Middle Way teachings of the Buddha’s second turning of the wheel of Dharma look at the nature of identification and the way phenomena exist. Understanding how the self is perceived, we can reveal the process by which we form attitudes and behaviors in our relations to other sentient beings. With this deflating of self-centered delusion, we are brought into accord with reality and able to inspire well-being for all, including ourselves.
While not necessary, we recommend completing The Dharma of Well-Being, Part 1 before engaging with Parts 2 and 3.
In this second program, you will learn about:
- the nature of identification and the way phenomena exist;
- dependent arising;
- the nuanced view of Mādhyamaka Prāsaṅgika philosophy;
- holistic well-being;
- the transformation from renunciation to bodhicitta;
- turning within for satisfaction and cultivating selflessness;
- and more!
Lama Alan Wallace, internationally renowned for the clarity and profundity of his teachings, invites you to explore the inner causes of suffering alongside the causes of genuine well-being, and learn practices and techniques that will help you on your journey to develop genuine and lasting well-being.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Searching for the Self
Lama Alan introduces the deepest root of suffering: grasping to inherent existence. Through searching for the nature of the self and phenomena, the fixation on the “I” can be undermined and eventually eradicated completely, leading to a balanced and healthy approach to the experiences of suffering and pleasure.
Lama Alan introduces the deepest root of suffering: grasping to inherent existence. Through searching for the nature of the self and phenomena, the fixation on the “I” can be undermined and eventually eradicated completely, leading to a balanced and healthy approach to the experiences of suffering and pleasure.
Lesson 2: Unraveling Afflictions
Lama Alan presents the core theme of the Perfection of Wisdom Sūtras: as long as reification persists, mental afflictions will continue to arise. By observing the arising of mental afflictions and not identifying with them, it can be realized that they do not exist in the way they appear.
Lama Alan presents the core theme of the Perfection of Wisdom Sūtras: as long as reification persists, mental afflictions will continue to arise. By observing the arising of mental afflictions and not identifying with them, it can be realized that they do not exist in the way they appear.
Lesson 3: The Emptiness of Permanence
Lama Alan reveals the pinnacle of Buddhist philosophical thought, Mādhyamaka Prāsaṅgika, and how this approach to the ultimate nature of reality brings well-being and freedom from suffering.
Lama Alan reveals the pinnacle of Buddhist philosophical thought, Mādhyamaka Prāsaṅgika, and how this approach to the ultimate nature of reality brings well-being and freedom from suffering.
Lesson 4: Appearances and Entities
Using the ‘four schools of Buddhist philosophy’ model as a framework, Lama Alan highlights the ontological and epistemological implications of each progressively-deeper view into the nature of reality, which leads to the eradication of suffering and its causes.
Using the ‘four schools of Buddhist philosophy’ model as a framework, Lama Alan highlights the ontological and epistemological implications of each progressively-deeper view into the nature of reality, which leads to the eradication of suffering and its causes.
Lesson 5: Equalizing Self and Others
Repaying the kindness that infinite sentient beings have shown us is the essence of the bodhisattva path. Lama Alan looks at ways the self is perceived and how this shapes attitudes and behaviors in relation to other beings.
Repaying the kindness that infinite sentient beings have shown us is the essence of the bodhisattva path. Lama Alan looks at ways the self is perceived and how this shapes attitudes and behaviors in relation to other beings.
Lesson 6: Ethics, Samādhi, Wisdom
In this lesson, Lama Alan introduces the actual method of the Mahāyāna student, looking at the transformation from renunciation to bodhicitta. Turning within for satisfaction and cultivating selflessness is the authentic bodhisattva path.
In this lesson, Lama Alan introduces the actual method of the Mahāyāna student, looking at the transformation from renunciation to bodhicitta. Turning within for satisfaction and cultivating selflessness is the authentic bodhisattva path.
Lesson 7: Universal Well-Being
The path of the bodhisattva requires setting out; one must take steps toward the goal in order to arrive. Cultivating the mind through meditation provides a vehicle for the expedition to the great well-being of all beings.
The path of the bodhisattva requires setting out; one must take steps toward the goal in order to arrive. Cultivating the mind through meditation provides a vehicle for the expedition to the great well-being of all beings.
Lesson 8: Entering the Mahāyāna Path
Lama Alan completes this second module, detailing how cultivation of the Six Perfections provides holistic well-being and relieves the suffering of others as well as ourselves. Sharp śamatha empowers broad bodhicitta, which is protected by deep wisdom.
Lama Alan completes this second module, detailing how cultivation of the Six Perfections provides holistic well-being and relieves the suffering of others as well as ourselves. Sharp śamatha empowers broad bodhicitta, which is protected by deep wisdom.
About the Teacher
Dynamic lecturer, progressive scholar, and one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, Lama Alan Wallace, PhD, continually seeks innovative ways to integrate Buddhist contemplative practices with Western science to advance the study of the mind.
Lama Alan, a scholar and practitioner of Buddhism since 1970, has taught Buddhist theory and meditation worldwide since 1976. Having devoted 14 years to training as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, ordained by H.H. the Dalai Lama, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree in physics and the philosophy of science at Amherst College and a doctorate in religious studies at Stanford. Lama Alan later studied Dzogchen with Gyatrul Rinpoche, a senior teacher in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. With his unique background, Lama Alan brings deep experience and applied skills to the challenge of integrating traditional Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with the modern world.
Lama Alan is the author and translator of several books, including Düdjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection, Stilling the Mind: Shamatha Teachings From Dudjom Linpa’s Vajra Essence, Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up, Natural Liberation: Padmasambhava’s Teachings on the Six Bardos, and The Attention Revolution.