Prajna Paramita

Mahayana Buddhism

Vast View and Awakened Heart

with Chandra Easton

Sept 16 - Dec 16, 2012

In Marin & San Francisco, CA

Hosted by the Tara Mandala Bay Area Sangha

Through dharma talks, discussion and practice, students will explore the core teachings

of Mahayana (Great Vehicle) Buddhism including the Four Immeasurables: Loving Kindness,

Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity, as well as, the Six Paramitas:

Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Diligence, Meditation and Wisdom. We will also

study the teachings of wisdom (Skt. prajna) and compassion (Skt. karuna),

both hallmark themes of the Mahayana era.

Participants will learn the Prajna Paramita practice of Lama Tsultrim Allione.

Prajna Paramita (Perfection of Wisdom) teachings came to fruition in the Mahayana era through

Nagarjuna's discovery of the Prajna Paramita Sutras. Prajna Paramita is the Great Mother.

She is luminous clarity that is full of compassion. She is a deity, a symbol, and a sutra. Above all, she is

the teaching that guides us to the experience of prajna, or wisdom, which is the capacity to

perceive the ineffable vastness of basic space (dharmadhatu).

The Prajna Paramita weekend (Oct 20 & 21) is required for those wishing to receive credit

for completing the Mahayana course. Completing the Mahayana course for credit is equivalent to

completing Tara Mandala's Mahayana Residential Retreat. This is one of three courses required

to attend various advanced retreats offered at Tara Mandala.

Prajna Paramita is a core practice within the

Tara Mandala Bay Area Sangha and once you have received the practice, you may

attend the monthly sangha meetings.

The Prajna Paramita weekend is open to those not in the Mahayana course,

but who wish to receive the practice.

Prerequisite for the Prajna Paramita weekend: At least two years of consistent meditation or other contemplative arts such as yoga, chi kung, tai chi, etc., highly recommended.

Or permission from the teacher, please email Chandra at

shunyatayoga@gmail.com to inquire.

Mahayana Course Dates:

Locations:

All Sundays will be held at Fran Anderson's home in Marin.
The Oct 20 & 21 Prajna Paramita Retreat will be held at Shanta Shala in SF.
Addresses will be given upon registration.

Suggested donation:

Pre-registration is required for those taking the complete series or Prajna Paramita weekend.

Complete Series (including the Prajna Paramita retreat) :

$180-$360 (total 36 hours)

Payment plans available, please inquire.

Prajna Paramita weekend only:

$60-$120

Drop-in:
$15-$30 for morning classes (10am-1pm)
$30-$60 for daylong classes (10am-5pm)

No one turned away for lack of funds. For questions, please email Chandra at shunyatayoga@gmail.com.

15% of fees are donated to Tara Mandala.

Registration:

To pre-register, please make checks payable to Chandra Easton

Mail to:

Lila Friedman

899 Los Robles Ave.

Palo Alto, CA 94306

Please include your name, email and phone number with your registration.