Commentary on the Heart Sutra
with Dagri Rinpoche
NEW DATES ANNOUNCED: SEPT. 9-12
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Category: Course
Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Level of Silence: No silence
Partial Attendance: Allowed
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Course Overview
In the Heart Sutra “heart” means “the essence of.” The sutra explicitly teaches about wisdom, and implicitly it teaches about the spiritual path. The Heart Sutra is the source of the Mahayana wisdom, the non-inherent existence of everything neither ultimately nor conventionally.
There are different kinds of Sutras. There are the sutras delivered by the Buddha, in which he teaches directly. There are also sutras delivered though Buddha’s blessings of body, speech, or mind. The Heart Sutra was delivered though the blessing of mind.
Through the power of Buddha’s concentration, Shariputra was inspired to ask Avalokiteshvara the question that became the teaching of the text, “How should a son of the noble lineage proceed when he wants to train in the profound discipline of the perfection of wisdom?”
The Heart Sutra belongs to the Prajnaparamita literature which arose around four hundred years after Buddha passed to Paranirvana. “Prajna” means “wisdom” and “paramita” means “going beyond”. There are different versions of the Prajnaparamita, and the Heart Sutra is the shortest version, which is only one letter-size page long when translated in English. It is very popular in Mahayanist and non-Mayahanist countries.
The recitation of the Heart Sutra has two purposes. The supramundane purpose is to understand the truth of the spiritual path and get enlightenment. The mundane purpose is to eliminate obstacles and interferences in the path.
We are delighted to announce that Dagri Rinpoche has consented to teach for the first time in a U.S. FPMT Center. In this powerful weekend, we invite students of all levels to hear Dagri Rinpoche explain the meaning of the Heart Sutra with the aid of Tibetan Buddhist scholar and translator, Gareth Sparham.
Teacher Biography
Dagri Rinpoche, is the reincarnation of Pari Dorje Chang, one of the very great geshes of Lhasa who was the teacher of many lamas, including Lama Yeshe. Dagri Rinpoche was born in Tibet in 1958. He grew up during the Cultural Revolution of 1966-1976. After his escape from Tibet in 1982 he completed his 17 years of study of Buddhist philosophy and received the Geshe Lharampa degree.
Dagri Rinpoche was fortunate in that, as a high tulku (incarnate lama), he was able to apply to take his geshe examinations two years earlier than the other monks. Rinpoche understands well the difference between the life of a tulku in Tibet and a tulku in India. His life story shows that a tulku who lives under difficult circumstances can still remain faithful to his ideal of serving others and being an example to them.
After his recognition as a tulku, he was unable to go to his monastery because, shortly after he was recognized, the monastery was destroyed by the Chinese. "I remained at home. From my father and the 'solpon' from my past incarnation I learned reading, writing, mathematics and the Tibetan language. Later I went to a regular elementary school and until I was 15 years old I also had to herd sheep and cows. Then the Chinese began a coal mine near the mountains. I was put in that camp and had to do forced labor. Many Tibetans died there. Most of the people were illiterate but knew that I was the reincarnated Dagri Tulku, because he was very well known in that area. They had a lot of faith in me. So I became their teacher.”
“In the evenings, after work, I taught them to read and write. Later I did administrative work in the camp, because in the meantime I had learned Chinese and how to do bookkeeping. All in all, they were very difficult years. Only after I had been in the camp for five years was I allowed to go to Lhasa, where many old monks lived. They were not permitted to stay in their monasteries. I met the former abbot of Sera Jhe in secret. He gave me the first vows. In the eighties, after the changes in the Chinese policy, monks from Sera came to me and requested me to go to India. My previous incarnation was renowned and I was encouraged to go to India for my education. Then many people collected money for me. It was very difficult to get a passport and I had to wait two years before I could leave. Only after my escape to India did I become a novice monk."
Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Dagri Rinpoche are quite close and discuss a lot together, especially about the preservation of Dharma lineages.
After Rinpoche's escape from Tibet, Lama Yeshe committed to support the incarnation through Sera Je, and, when Lama Yeshe passed away, Lama Zopa Rinpoche took the responsibility. Dagri Rinpoche is supporting Lama Zopa Rinpoche very much.
Interpreter and Review Session Leader Biography:
Gareth Sparham has been a scholar and translator in the field of Tibetan Buddhism for over 35 years. Originally born in Great Britain, he was ordained with the guidance of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1973. He remained ordained for about 30 years and lived most of his life in Dharamshala, India studying traditionally until 1998. During his winters, he spent his time studying at the University of British Columbia, eventually earning a PhD in 1989. After returning from India, Gareth lectured in the department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan for ten years. He has also taught at and been a guest lecturer
For the last 15 years, Gareth Sparham has spent much of his time translating the two main Indian commentaries on the Perfection of Wisdom, now published by Jain Publications, and many other related commentaries. He is also the author of many books and articles on Tibetan Buddhism.
We are greatly honored that such a distinguished and kind scholar such as Gareth Sparham has agreed to interpret and lead review sessions for Dagri Rinpoche’s Heart Sutra teachings.
Schedule
September 9th |
3:00 to 5:00pm |
Registration |
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6:00pm |
Dinner |
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7:00pm |
Orientation Session |
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7:30-9:30pm |
Introductory to the Heart Sutra Talk
with Gareth Sparham |
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Sept. 10th -11th |
8:00 - 8:30am |
Breakfast |
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11:00 - 12:30pm |
First session with Rinpoche |
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12:30 - 3:00pm |
Lunch |
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3:00 -5:00pm |
Second session with Rinpoche |
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5:00 - 6:00pm |
Tea Break |
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6:00 - 7:00pm |
Dinner |
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7:00 - 8:30pm |
Review session (led by Gareth Sparham ) |
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Sept. 12th |
8:00 - 8:30am |
Breakfast |
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8:30 - 10:00am |
Clear out belonging from accommodations |
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10:00 - 12:30pm |
Last session with Rinpoche plus final dedications |
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12:30 - 1:30 pm |
Lunch |
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1:30 - 2:30pm |
Karma Yogi: final cleaning (all to participate please) |
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2:30pm |
Course ends |
Fees (inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees)
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Regular Rate |
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Non-Member |
Member |
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10% |
| Camping |
$315.00 |
$283.50 |
| Main Dormitory |
$330.00 |
$297.00 |
| Semi Private Dormitory |
$345.00 |
$310.50 |
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| Private Room (single) |
$450.00 |
$405.00 |
| Private Room (double) |
$405.00 |
$364.50 |
| Cabin (single) |
$510.00 |
$459.00 |
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| Scholarship Fund |
$300 |
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| Application deadline |
June 15th |
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"How precious and inspiring it is to be close to a teacher who is fully what he is teaching."
—Rinpoche’s student, 2008
"Form is void, but voidness is form. Voidness is not other than forms and forms are not other than voidness."
—Extract from the Heart Sutra
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