Menla Online: Vimalakīrti's Silence - Sci-Fi Feast and Buddhaverse Infrastructure

In this weekly class series, Robert A.F. Thurman will guide students through a close reading of “The Noble Teaching of Vimalakīrti”. Thurman will use the classic text to introduce basic Buddhist meditation, history, philosophy, and realization with relevant digressions bringing Vimalakirti’s wisdom alive today!

Thurman’s translation of the text is available for free download from www.84000.co, as The Noble Teaching of Vimalakīrti. There is a dramatically fun introduction in the spirit of Vimalakirti by the Venerable Dzongsar Kyentse Rinpoche, also on that website.

In this magical work, the elder layman, Vimalakirti, entertains and instructs a host of mendicant disciples and lay bodhisattvas and effectively shares his deep enlightenment and kind understanding. The work is characterized by humor, a radical and democratizing aspect, and an inclusive world of spiritually-charged reciprocity, which gently levels hierarchies.

The Sutra examines foundational concepts of Buddhist wisdom and omnicompetent compassion; the transformation of the “ordinary mis-knowing body” into a “buddha body”; and reveals the purpose of life—to educate oneself in the delicious fun of freedom through the wisdom of Vimalakirti, a layman, considered a close colleague in teaching by the Buddha himself.

This four week course is a continuation of the “Good Wise Sweet Love – the Noble Teachings of Vimalakīrti” Class Series and access to archive recordings will be provided upon registration. This class series is intended for all levels of interest. To watch the first session from April 4, 2020, please visit the Tibet House US Menla YouTube Channel.

We ask for your patience as we develop further courses that we can offer for free, as well as on a sliding scale. Thank you for your support, and be well.

Every dollar lends crucial support to Tibet House US | Menla during this financial crisis. Anyone whose financial circumstances are dire can appeal for scholarship assistance. All requests will be honored, please email justin@menla.org.