Foundations of Buddhism: Nirvana & Freedom from Suffering

April 29th—May 20th (2021)

Date details +
    Price:
  • $149 Program Price
  • $179 Patron Price
  • Enter another amount you wish to pay.

This online course presents the Third Noble Truth, Freedom from Suffering, and begins with an exploration of the Third Foundation of Mindfulness: Mindfulness of Effort.

“The Buddha said that… suffering should be known; the origin of suffering should be
renounced; the cessation of suffering should be realized; and the path should be
regarded as the truth to resolution.”
– Chögyam Trungpa

How do we find relief? How do we realize the cessation of suffering now?

Chôgyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in his explanation of the Buddha’s meaning, emphasizes the experience of cessation as it arises in meditation and actual life, rather than as an imagined goal to be achieved in the future. We will explore the experience of cessation as “the gap” that arises naturally in shamatha (“peacefully abiding”) meditation practice, especially with regards to Mindfulness of Effort.

We will look at how we can recognize the contrast between samsara (our cycle of suffering and dissatisfaction) and nirvana; and how vipashyana or meditative awareness allows us to cultivate, extend and rest in “the gap”. Finally, we will look at the ways the Truth of Cessation manifests at different levels of practice and the path.

The recommended readings for the course are drawn from The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma: The Path of Individual Liberation (Vol I) by Chögyam Trungpa, with selected optional readings from Mindfulness in Action by Chögyam Trungpa.

Teachers

Acharya Suzann Duquette has been a student in the Shambhala lineage for 45 years and has served as a teacher since the 1980s. Previously a co-director, she is currently Karmê Chöling’s Resident Acharya.  She is also Rupa Acharya, responsible for Shambhala’s liturgical forms, which includes the training of umdzes and chöpöns through the Shambhala Ritual Academy. Acharya Duquette respects the power of body awareness in deepening spiritual awakening and emphasizes body disciplines in her retreats and programs. She teaches widely, including Shambhala retreats and Mudra Space Awareness, and Daoist-Qigong in the lineage of Dr. Eva Wong.

Acharya Daniel Hessey has been a student of the Sakyongs since 1973. He has taught meditation, Shambhala Buddhism, and Yijing related programs throughout North America.  He is currently residing at Karmê Chöling with his daughter who recently graduated from Whittier College. This year, he published two of the four planned volumes of Enlightened Society: A Shambhala Buddhist Reading of the Yijing on Amazon books.

Register now

Programs without a price are free. For those programs with a price listed, please do not let price be an obstacle. Visit our generosity policy page.

When available as an option, your generosity in offering the patron price helps cover the costs for others who are not able to pay the full price. Any amount offered above the Program Price is considered a charitable donation to the centre, and will be included in a tax receipt issued by email in February of the following year.

For programs that have a register button, it is helpful for us if you can indicate your intention to attend by registering ahead of time. In order to prevent duplicate entries in the Shambhala Database, all registrations are reviewed before you will receive a confirmation email.

Our Refund Policy:  For convenience you can pay online using a credit card via PayPal. If we cancel the program for any reason, we will give you a full refund. We understand that sometimes after you have pre-paid, you might be unable to attend.  We will be happy to refund your payment if you request it at least 24 hours before the program starts.  Due to the difference in PayPal charges for purchases and refunds, we charge a nominal amount of $5 for a refund.