Buddha
Manual continued from last page
Although
individual topics within the Lam Rim are taught frequently in various
contexts, it is not often that we have the opportunity to receive
these teachings in their entirety. Over the next several months, Lama
Shedrup Gyaltsen will present the entire sequence of the Lam Rim on
Tuesday evenings from 7:30 -9:00 pm at Drepung Loseling Institute.
The classes are free and open to the public.
Buddhism
teaches a three-fold path to inner transformation: learning, contemplation
and meditation. In keeping with this and his own very practical approach
to Buddhist teachings, Lama Shedrup will teach a meditation for each
of the topics of the Lam Rim.
Lama Shedrup explained that the mind is malleable, and that transformation
is achieved through familiarization. “We are so accustomed to
negative behaviors and destructive patterns that we don't even
notice them,” he said. “Meditation is the only way to transform
our ingrained negative patterns and transform them into more positive
ways of being.” The positive changes may not be apparent immediately,
he explained, but if a person makes a sincere attempt to reflect on
these teachings and the associated meditations, their lives will be
transformed, and they will become happier. In this way we will bring
some relief from our everyday stress and anxiety, and make our lives
a little more comfortable, and be able to approach the day with a
more positive attitude.
Lama Shedrup Gyaltsen was born in Bhutan and received his initial
training in Buddhist studies and meditation at Thimphu Tashi Chodzong
Monastery. He then entered Drepung Loseling Monastery in south India
to pursue advanced training in Buddhist philosophy, psychology and
metaphysics, receiving his full ordination from His Holiness the Dalai
Lama in 1994. In 1999 Lama Shedrup was sent to North America to serve
as the spokesperson for The Mystical Arts of Tibet tours; in that
position he lectured on all aspects of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition
at numerous prestigious universities, conferences, and other venues.
In February 2000 he was appointed director of the Loseling Institute,
Mexico, a position he held for two years. Lama Shedrup assumed the
position of resident teacher for Drepung Loseling Institute, Atlanta,
in 2002.
To
learn more about Lama Gyaltsen's lessons, call (404) 816-5510.
Teri Sivilli is a student of Tibetan Buddhism and the Special Projects
Coordinator for Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc. Contact her at institute@drepung.org.
Wisdom
