Shakyamuni Sadhana in Translation and Practice

At the express wish of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, long-time translator and Rangjung Yeshe Institute faculty member Dr. Catherine Dalton will lead an online course focused on “The Treasury of Blessings” sadhana of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Composed by Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche’s (1846-1912) and widely considered to be a “mind-treasure” (gongter), this sadhana is both poetically rich in composition and totally complete in its practical framework. Furthermore, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche has extensively praised its qualities and provided teachings to unfold its depths.

This course will proceed in two parts. In the first part we will engage in a linguistic approach to the sadhana and its content. Professor Dalton will give a word-by-word explanation of Mipham Rinpoche’s original Tibetan verses, bringing us to a fuller understanding of the content of the sadhana through an exploration of the richness of Tibetan Dharma language as a gateway into understanding the Dharma itself. This process will be accessible and engaging for both students of Tibetan language as well as those with no prior experience.

In the second part of this course, students will view videos of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s teachings on “The Treasury of Blessings.” Receiving these teachings having already approached the sadhana closely through the lens of its Dharma language, students will be more readily able to absorb the rich meaning of the practices of the sadhana in accordance with Rinpoche’s instruction. In open Q&A sessions Professor Dalton will provide space both to highlight the topics Rinpoche has presented and to discuss any questions students might have.

This is a precious opportunity to study an essential sadhana practice with a master translator of Tibetan. Students will leave this course with a transformed appreciation of the “Treasury of Blessings,” both intellectually and on the heart-level, that can be carried into their own daily practice.

*This is online course was originally streamed live via Zoom. Recordings for all seven sessions will be shared upon registration, along with further course information.

All classes will run approximately 1.5 hours.