Thangtong Gyalpo Tsondru Zangpo, “Collection Of Essentials: Vital Words Of Instruction On The Six Dharmas Of Niguma” in Four Tibetan Lineages: Core Teachings of Pacification, Severance, Shangpa Kagyu, and Bodong, translated by Sarah Harding, 299–302, 308–309, Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2021. 

Tāranātha, “Tangdalma: Displaying The Profound Meaning” in Four Tibetan Lineages: Core Teachings of Pacification, Severance, Shangpa Kagyu, and Bodong, translated by Sarah Harding, 365–369, Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2021.

Kalu Rinpoche, Luminous Mind: The Way of the Buddha, 197–202, Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 1997.

In the first of four lessons on Abhidharma, Mark explains how the Abhidharma tradition—distinct from early Buddhism and Mahāyāna—aims to systematize and elaborate upon the Buddha’s teachings to devise a “metaphysics of empty persons.” If composites such as chariots, forests and persons are not strictly speaking real, then what is? Only dharmas, we are told, but what are they? You’ll discover how to analyze whether something is a dharma—namely by determining if it has svabhāva (i.e., bears its nature intrinsically). And you’ll begin to see how this seemingly very dry topic of Abhidharma metaphysical analysis might turn out to be important to our welfare.

After introducing himself as a philosopher, Mark Siderits explains how examining Buddhist doctrines using the tools of philosophy will help you develop greater understanding of Buddhist teachings, by challenging you to think deeply about them throughout this course. He begins by framing Buddhism as a religion or soteriological system, but one in which philosophical investigation has an important role to play. This means you’ll be asked to interrogate exactly what it is you believe and why you believe it. In the process, you’ll learn to be open to debate, better understand objections others may raise to your worldview, and more carefully probe the reasonings underlying that worldview. Mark then introduces the basic Buddhist project—to overcome existential suffering—as understood through the lens of the Buddha’s life-story.

B. Alan Wallace with Brian Hodel, Stilling the Mind: Shamatha Teachings from Dudjom Lingpa’s Vajra Essence, 61–107, Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2011.

Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche, Luminous Mind: The Way of the Buddha, 15–29, Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 1997.