The Way of the Bodhisattva: Immersion Course
“Compassion, a sense of caring, thinking about others’ welfare.
That sort of attitude brings me inner peace.
It has defined the purpose of my life.”
— 14th Dalai Lama
ABOUT THE IMMERSION
The Way of the Bodhisattva: Immersion course invites you into an experiential exploration of The Way of the Bodhisattva, going beyond theories to provide practical instructions on how to live our life with a sense of purpose. Each course is filled with opportunities to learn from leading voices in the Buddhist world and to engage with a global community of meditators.
course dates
This course is available for self-study as part of your Vajrayana Online subscription.
who can take this course?
There are no prerequisites for this course. It is appropriate for meditators of all levels.
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?
How do you imbue your life with a lasting sense of purpose? How do you make your daily activities meaningful? For over twelve hundred years, Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva has served as a manual for answering these questions. It shows us how to find a higher purpose that is based on an altruistic motivation and an ethical life. During the Immersion course, you will receive teachings in a variety of formats and from a range of perspectives, helping you access your true nature and be of service to yourself and others.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
In this course, you will learn:
- About the profound meditation practices contained in Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva.
- How to infuse your life with practices of awareness, loving-kindness and compassion, and wisdom.
- How to cultivate bodhichitta — the heartfelt commitment to help all beings awaken to their true nature — and imbue your life with this profound motivation.
- Meditation techniques, such as the practice of tonglen, or sending and taking, that increase not only your own well-being, but also that of those around you.
- About the Buddhist principle of emptiness and how this perspective can help transform our understanding of both ourselves and our world.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS COURSE?
This course includes:
- Pre-recorded talks from Mingyur Rinpoche that explore the major themes of this text and its practices
- Live teachings with Mingyur Rinpoche, Khenpo Kunga, and Tergar guides that help unpack the text and its practices
- Interviews with leading Buddhist voices from across traditions and lineages
- Curated resources that help unpack the root text, bringing it to life in a relatable and experiential way
- Guided meditations that follow the major themes of the text
- Reflective exercises that help you explore the teachings and how they help in your everyday life
Please note: some materials will be restricted to qualified Nature of Mind participants
COURSE TEXTS
The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva
The Nectar of Manjushri’s Speech by Kunzang Pelden
What courses are included?
The Way of the Bodhisattva: Immersion — Course 1
This course demonstrates why The Way of the Bodhisattva came to be one of the most treasured texts of the Buddhist tradition. It focuses on giving rise to and strengthening bodhichitta, the heartfelt commitment to help all beings awaken, and includes techniques for cultivating mindfulness and introspection, all with the aim of making the practices relevant to your own life today.
The Way of the Bodhisattva: Immersion — Course 2
This course explores central themes of The Way of the Bodhisattva, such as patience, joyful effort, and meditative concentration. It is particularly dedicated to the application of wisdom in both your meditation practice and your daily life.
The Way of the Bodhisattva: Immersion — Course 3
This course focuses on the final chapter of The Way of the Bodhisattva, which discusses the truth of emptiness and the wisdom in seeing things the way they actually are. Mingyur Rinpoche’s teachings on this aspect of the text help shift our perspective of how we view ourselves and the world, going beyond the theoretical and honing in on the experiential.
course EXCERPT
The Alchemy of Compassion
Why is cultivating an altruistic motivation so important? Here, Mingyur Rinpoche explains that giving rise to bodhichitta is like alchemy — it can transform anything we do into a cause for lasting happiness and joy.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The Way of the Bodhisattva: Immersion course and other courses in Vajrayana Online are included as part of your monthly subscription to Vajrayana Online for as long as you remain subscribed. Visit Vajrayana Online to learn more.
Subscribe to Vajrayana Online
All of our courses are available on demand and included in your subscription. You can join the course at any time and engage with the materials at your own pace. For more questions about the subscription, please visit our FAQs section.
You will make the first payment after the free trial period. The subscription will automatically be renewed in accordance to the frequency you have selected. You can unsubscribe anytime, and no additional fees will be charged.
For more questions about the subscription, please visit our FAQs section.
Tergar is committed to making the benefits of Buddhist teachings and practices available to everyone.
If the subscription rate of $25 USD per month is a hindrance for you financially,
please do not hesitate to reach out to us via [email protected] to ask for a further reduced rate.
We offer financial assistance rates for certain countries, for students with limited budgets,
and for the monastic community.
You will make the first payment after the free trial period. The subscription will automatically be renewed in accordance to the frequency you have selected. You can unsubscribe anytime, and no additional fees will be charged.
For more questions about the subscription, please visit our FAQs section.
Tergar is committed to making the benefits of Buddhist teachings and practices available to everyone.
If the subscription rate of $25 USD per month is a hindrance for you financially,
please do not hesitate to reach out to us via [email protected] to ask for a further reduced rate.
We offer financial assistance rates for certain countries, for students with limited budgets,
and for the monastic community.
Do you want to know more about The Way of the Bodhisattva Course Series?
The Way of the Bodhisattva transmission will include a series of courses that provide a unique opportunity to integrate the core elements of the Buddhist path into one's practice and daily life.