In this first lesson, we are introduced to the idea of the three turnings of the wheel of Dharma and learn about their foundations in the early discourses of the Buddha. We also call into question the common belief that some teachings are provisional while others are definitive.

Lama Alan Wallace guides us through the teachings of Düdul Dorjé and Longchenpa, exploring the nature of appearances and the self.

A PDF copy of the root text for this course, Düdjom Lingpa’s Buddhahood Without Meditation, is available on the course homepage under “Reading Materials” in the righthand sidebar. Other notes, mentioned in this lesson’s lectures, are available in the “Read” section below.

Alan Wallace leads us in a guided meditation related to Avalokiteshvara’s teachings in our root text, Buddhahood Without Meditation, in which we try to find the “I” in appearances.

This meditation was originally recorded in association with the third video in the Watch section above.

Sera Khandro establishes the necessary motivation and conduct for receiving teachings such as Buddhahood Without Meditation; selected from Volume 2 of Düdjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection.

This lesson’s reading is from the great female tertön Sera Khandro, and establishes the necessary motivation and conduct for receiving Dzogchen teachings. This text can also be found in Buddhahood Without Meditation.

Lama Alan Wallace discusses the practice and benefits of mindfulness of breathing, showing us its ability to help us cultivate greater freedom and drawing on the Buddha’s own teachings on the practice.

In this video, Ven. Thubten Chodron discusses the Buddha’s life story as well as how the Dharma, his teachings, initially spread through Asia. You can follow along as she reads from Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions starting on page 1.