FPMT

General discussion, particularly exploring the Dharma in the modern world.
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Huifeng
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Re: FPMT

Post by Huifeng »

The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master by Venerable Yin-shun
Highly recommended book.

If you like the FPMT Gelug approach, then this book by Ven. Yinshun will also probably strongly appeal to you. The general structure owes a lot to the Gelug Lamrim style, and all the sources referenced are Indic sources from Agamas, Mahayana Sutras and Sastras (and actually a little bit from the Lamrim, too).

It's not Chan, but it serves as the best example of modern Chinese Buddhism which is placing more emphasis back on Indian sources. For this reason, it will have more in common with other Mahayana traditions.

~~ Huifeng
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Astus
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Re: FPMT

Post by Astus »

What Ven. Huifeng has recommended is a good start. One should be familiar with general Mahayana before getting deeper into Chan. DDM's website has some free literature that you could read: Free Literature.

Then as some better introductions to Chan and Chinese Buddhism, you should also try these works:

Paul Williams: Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations
Robert H. Sharf: Coming to Terms with Chinese Buddhism
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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Dave The Seeker
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Re: FPMT

Post by Dave The Seeker »

Thank you both for your recommendations of reading materials.

I am in the middle of one of "Buddhist Thought" by Paul Williams now and am going to read "Mahayana Buddhism; The Doctrinal Foundations" next. Thanks to Mr. G for suggesting these books.
I'll check out the link you provided Astus later today hopefully.
Also Huifeng, I'll get the book you suggested as well.

Once again, thank you all so much for helping me learn and understand The Path :namaste:


Kindest wishes, Dave
Everyday problems teach us to have a realistic attitude.
They teach us that life is what life is; flawed.
Yet with tremendous potential for joy and fulfillment.
~Lama Surya Das~

If your path teaches you to act and exert yourself correctly and leads to spiritual realizations such as love, compassion and wisdom then obviously it's worthwhile.
~Lama Thubten Yeshe~

One whose mind is freed does not argue with anyone, he does not dispute with anyone. He makes use of the conventional terms of the world without clinging to them
~The Buddha~
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Huifeng
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Re: FPMT

Post by Huifeng »

Astus wrote: Then as some better introductions to Chan and Chinese Buddhism, you should also try these works:

Paul Williams: Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations
Robert H. Sharf: Coming to Terms with Chinese Buddhism
I'd say looking at Ven. Sheng Yen's book Orthodox Chinese Buddhism would be much, much more helpful than either of these.
Williams is almost all second hand when it comes to Chinese Buddhism, and Sharf's book - despite the name - is really about a single text.

~~ Huifeng
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Dave The Seeker
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Location: Reading MI USA

Re: FPMT

Post by Dave The Seeker »

Thank you my friend. Which of the two you have mentioned would be your suggestion to read first?


Kindest wishes, Dave
Everyday problems teach us to have a realistic attitude.
They teach us that life is what life is; flawed.
Yet with tremendous potential for joy and fulfillment.
~Lama Surya Das~

If your path teaches you to act and exert yourself correctly and leads to spiritual realizations such as love, compassion and wisdom then obviously it's worthwhile.
~Lama Thubten Yeshe~

One whose mind is freed does not argue with anyone, he does not dispute with anyone. He makes use of the conventional terms of the world without clinging to them
~The Buddha~
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Dave The Seeker
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Location: Reading MI USA

Re: FPMT

Post by Dave The Seeker »

I received the DVD's yesterday "Discovering Buddhism" it's a 2 dvd set.
From what I have watched so far, about 2/3 of the total "program", it is a very informative set.
The topics are touched on in short segments by different teachers. Each adding points that are very important.

I think the set is very well put together in the aspect of an introduction to Buddhism.
I did learn a few things and really look forward to getting more from FPMT.
A lot of the information though, I have read in books or here on the forum.
But it was presented in a different view I guess is the best way to put it.
I really enjoyed listening to HHDL, who speaks on a few subjects, as well as Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Venerable Ribur Rinpoche :bow:


Kindest wishes, Dave
Everyday problems teach us to have a realistic attitude.
They teach us that life is what life is; flawed.
Yet with tremendous potential for joy and fulfillment.
~Lama Surya Das~

If your path teaches you to act and exert yourself correctly and leads to spiritual realizations such as love, compassion and wisdom then obviously it's worthwhile.
~Lama Thubten Yeshe~

One whose mind is freed does not argue with anyone, he does not dispute with anyone. He makes use of the conventional terms of the world without clinging to them
~The Buddha~
zerwe
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Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:25 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: FPMT

Post by zerwe »

The Seeker wrote:I received the DVD's yesterday "Discovering Buddhism" it's a 2 dvd set.
From what I have watched so far, about 2/3 of the total "program", it is a very informative set.
The topics are touched on in short segments by different teachers. Each adding points that are very important.

I think the set is very well put together in the aspect of an introduction to Buddhism.
I did learn a few things and really look forward to getting more from FPMT.
A lot of the information though, I have read in books or here on the forum.
But it was presented in a different view I guess is the best way to put it.
I really enjoyed listening to HHDL, who speaks on a few subjects, as well as Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Venerable Ribur Rinpoche :bow:


Kindest wishes, Dave
There is an actual course of study available online that goes into the material with more detail.
Discovering Buddhism is about a 2+ year course on fundamentals. There are a series of courses
that follow beyond this, depending on the level and needs of the practitioner. (i.e., Light of the Path,
Basic program-which is definitely not basic, and the Master's Program)

Shaun :namaste:
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Dave The Seeker
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Location: Reading MI USA

Re: FPMT

Post by Dave The Seeker »

Thank you Shaun, I do plan on taking the online course.
I hope the way I wrote my previous post didn't sound like I was dissatisfied, I wasn't.

I like the way things were presented and am looking forward to the teachings I will be getting.

Kindest wishes, Dave
Everyday problems teach us to have a realistic attitude.
They teach us that life is what life is; flawed.
Yet with tremendous potential for joy and fulfillment.
~Lama Surya Das~

If your path teaches you to act and exert yourself correctly and leads to spiritual realizations such as love, compassion and wisdom then obviously it's worthwhile.
~Lama Thubten Yeshe~

One whose mind is freed does not argue with anyone, he does not dispute with anyone. He makes use of the conventional terms of the world without clinging to them
~The Buddha~
zerwe
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Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:25 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: FPMT

Post by zerwe »

There are also some courses that fall in between Discovering Buddhism and the Basic Program.
The Foundations of Buddhist Thought, Light of the Path (I mentioned earlier) and our center actually
offers a more in depth Lam Rim study for those who have completed Discovering Buddhism and don't feel ready for the Basic Program.
Shaun
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Dave The Seeker
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Location: Reading MI USA

Re: FPMT

Post by Dave The Seeker »

Thanks a lot for the info. I'll look into it. Never know in the 2+ years it takes to finish the basic program,we may move shortly there after. Planing a visit to NC this spring/summer so hopefully we'll meet.
Hopefully to a place closer to a center or at least a Temple.
We want to get out of this state and county, just waiting for things to run their course.


Kindest wishes, Dave
Everyday problems teach us to have a realistic attitude.
They teach us that life is what life is; flawed.
Yet with tremendous potential for joy and fulfillment.
~Lama Surya Das~

If your path teaches you to act and exert yourself correctly and leads to spiritual realizations such as love, compassion and wisdom then obviously it's worthwhile.
~Lama Thubten Yeshe~

One whose mind is freed does not argue with anyone, he does not dispute with anyone. He makes use of the conventional terms of the world without clinging to them
~The Buddha~
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Mr. G
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Location: Spaceship Earth

Re: FPMT

Post by Mr. G »

Sounds like you're on the right track! :thumbsup:
  • How foolish you are,
    grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
    - Vasubandhu
Nicholas Weeks
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Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:21 am
Location: California

Re: FPMT

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

They have just revised their Mission Statement, yet I admit I have forgotten or never knew the old version.

http://fpmt.org/fpmt/fpmt-mission-statement/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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