The Buddha was once born as Shakara, King of the Gods. His splendor and goodness shone to the very edge of the universe and that gave rise to jealousy in the hearts of demons.  An army to overthrow the king was amassed by demons everywhere. Foreseeing the suffering the demons could bring helpless beings, the…
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This program offers two teachings recorded by H. E. Samdhong Rinpoche for Jewel Heart in 2022. The program begins with a short 30 minute talk as an Introduction to Vajrayana. After a short break, the program will continue with the second teaching on the Six Session Guru Yoga. This program is free and open to…
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Reasoning and logic are essential in order to reveal what is in fact true and reliable knowledge. Pramana is a Sanskrit term that Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist traditions use to refer to the elements necessary to recognize how knowledge is understood, and how its veracity and reliability can be ascertained. Drawing from Dharmakirti’s Compendium of…
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Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland of Advice to a King In his Precious Garland, Nagarjuna offers sound advice on how to gain happiness in this life, individually and as a society. He then expands the scope to include happiness in future lives and attaining enlightenment through practical ethics, great compassion and the wisdom of emptiness. Note: This…
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On the occasion of Sakadawa Day, the day of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death, there is great merit in taking the Eight Mahayana precepts for 24 hours. The precepts are taken at dawn before the local area’s sunrise. Demo Rinpoche will give the precepts in-person at the Jewel Heart Ann Arbor Center promptly at 5:45am…
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David Mellins on the purpose of this teaching While systematic schools of Indian philosophy had yet to be formalized as textual traditions in the 6th century BCE when Gautama Buddha attained his enlightenment, the ascetic mendicant Gautama encountered, studied and ultimately refuted a broad range of doctrines professing pathways to wisdom and spiritual emancipation. This…
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Practical Buddhism: The Tibetan Approach by Gelek Rimpoche is a review of the recordings of Sunday Talks by Gelek Rimpoche held in 2012 – 2014. A facilitated discussion led by Jewel Heart Instructors follows each review. These discussions are not recorded. About Gelek Rimpoche Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm ET No Sessions January 2, February 27, …
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