Bodhi Path Studies Program

presents

Khenpo Tsering’s 7-Day Program on

Middle Beyond Extremes

August 6-12, 2015

At Natural Bridge, VA

The North American Bodhi Path Buddhist centers are pleased to announce a new Buddhist Studies program being offered in the U.S. With this program, the centers wish to provide a profound opportunity for those interested in learning more deeply the meaning of the Buddha dharma, in order to benefit themselves and also to help others. This particular program, taught by Khenpo Tsering Samdup, is similar to courses held at the institute known as KIBI, located in New Delhi, India, and was designed with the intention of helping students broaden their wisdom of dharma and gain perspective on how profound and vast the Buddha dharma actually is.

This program, consisting of annual sessions over four years (for a total of four sessions), will provide teachings on four major philosophy treatises. Each annual session will draw from one major book of each treatise. Additionally, each year the program will offer teachings on important supplementary philosophy texts. The fourth session will take place this year at the Bodhi Path Center in Natural Bridge, Virginia, August 6-12, 2014. Partial attendance allowed.

This year, Khenpo Tsering will give teachings on Middle Beyond Extremes (Dharmadharmatavibhanga) and the additional philosophy texts The Jewel Ornament of Liberation and Gateway to Knowledge.  Attendance to prior year's session is NOT required.

Khenpo Tsering Samdup’s summary biography:

Khenpo Tsering began his Buddhist training at the Shri Karma Nalanda Institute at Rumtek in Sikkim, a college of higher Buddhist studies founded by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. After completing 9 years of study there, he received the degree of Acharya (Master of Philosophy) in 1990. Khenpo Tsering then continued as a teacher at Nalanda for one year before being sent by Shamar Rinpoche to teach at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute (KIBI) in New Delhi. Over the next 6 years, his time was spent teaching at KIBI and throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and the U.S. In 2002, Shamar Rinpoche appointed him Headmaster of Shri Diwakar Vihara Buddhist Institute in Kalimpong.  Over the past several years, Khenpo Tsering has taught hundreds of westerners in Buddhist centers throughout the U.S.

The following information is provided to help with your planning.

Sample Daily Schedule (subject to change):

9:00 - 11:00 am

First Class for Main Subject (Middle Beyond Extremes)

[30-minute break]

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Class for Additional Subject (The Jewel Ornament of Liberation)

1:00 am - 4:00 pm

Long break for lunch and self study

4:00 - 5:00 pm

Second Class for Main Subject (Middle Beyond Extremes)

[30-minute break]

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Class for Additional Subject (Gateway to Knowledge)

General Information:

Location:

Bodhi Path Natural Bridge, located eight miles south of Lexington, Virginia, at the south end of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.
Address: 12 Bodhi Path, Natural Bridge, VA, 24578.

Accommodations:

Please make your reservations directly with the establishment of choice as soon as possible. (Car needed for most.)

Hotel/motels:

South River Highlands, 540-463-2593. Lovely rustic cabins and dorm space options 15 miles from center, car necessary. Call directly for availability and discounts.  Mention “Bodhi Path event” when calling.  innkeepers@southriverhighlands.com

Budget Inn Natural Bridge, 540-291-2896. A modest motel, 1+ mile from the center. Special rate of $59.95-$69.99 for the “nothing fancy” crowd. Mention Bodhi Path.

Blacksmith Inn B&B, 540-291-4000. 3-mile drive from the center. Mention Bodhi Path.

Natural Bridge of Virginia Hotel, 800-533-1410. 5 miles from center.

Other options include: Best Western Lexington Inn (540) 458-3020; Country Inn & Suites (540) 464-9000; Holiday Inn Express (540) 463-7351; Days Inn Keydet General (540) 463-2143.

For other accommodations 10+ miles from the center, please visit the Lexington Visitors Center’s website at www.lexingtonvirginia.com.

Camping and Cabins:

Natural Bridge KOA. 540-291-2770. RV hook-ups, small cabins, tents. 2 miles from the center.

Shared Housing:

For possible shared housing options (car may be needed), please email studies@bodhipath.org.

Airports and Ground Transportation:

All airports require renting a car, limo service or ride sharing to get to the center.

The closest airport is in Roanoke, Virginia, about 45 miles from the Bodhi Path. Car rental available at airport.

Alternatively, limo Service available from: Roanoke Airport Transportation Service, 540-345-7710, and Prestige Limousine, Inc., 540-342-8049. Price depends on number of people traveling together. Call for pricing. Make arrangements early to insure availability.

Lynchburg, Virginia, is a regional airport about one and a half hours away. This airport is often cheapest for those flying from the west.

Washington DC airports, Dulles International or Reagan International, about 200 and 210 miles away, respectively.

Baltimore International Airport, about 240 miles away.

Some special deals:  For folks coming from Florida or points south, check Allegiant Air’s website for very cheap flights directly into Roanoke.  At last check, Allegiant only flies from Tampa/St. Petersburg or Orlando.  If you go on the site and sign up for their newsletter, they will let you know when they have the $9 sale to Roanoke!

From New York City, check for new direct flights to nearby ROA (Roanoke) airport.

Accommodation and Ride Share Coordination:

Participants who would like to provide accommodation and ride share preferences for coordinating with others will be able to do so on a web document.  Specifics will be sent out with confirmation of registration.  For more information email studies@bodhipath.org
 

List of Books to Bring:  The specific books (available at Amazon.com) to be purchased ahead of time by participants:  

1) Middle Beyond Extremes:  Maitreya's Madhyantavibhaga With Commentaries By Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham by Dharmachakra Translation Committee (Translator); published by Snow Lion;

2a) Maitreya's Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being:  With Commentary By Mipham by Ju Mipham (Author), Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso (Author), Jim Scott (Translator); published by Snow Lion;

2b) Distinguishing Phenomena from Their Intrinsic Nature:  Maitreya's Dharmadharmatavibhanga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham by Ju Mipham (Author), Khenpo Shenga (Author), Dharmachakra Translation Committee (Translator); published by Snow Lion;

3) The Jewel Ornament of Liberation:  The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings by Gampopa (Author), Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche (Translator); published by Snow Lion Publications and

4) Gateway to Knowledge:  A Condensation of the Tripaka, Vol. II by Jamgon Rinpoche (Author), Kathy Morris (Editor), Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator), Mipham Rinpoche (Author); published by Rangjung Yeshe Publications

5) Gateway to Knowledge:  A Condensation of the Tripaka, Vol. III by Jamgon Rinpoche (Author), Kathy Morris (Editor), Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator), Mipham Rinpoche (Author); published by Rangjung Yeshe Publications

Program Fees:

BYOB - Bring your own bag lunch for group lunch.  For those visiting from out of town, local residents will be available to facilitate food purchases.  Housing is additional.

$250 for complete program, 7 days.

$40 daily rate.

Students are highly encouraged to attend the complete program if possible.

Space is limited.

Registration and Payment Methods:

Register online with EZ Register using a credit card or emailing studies@bodhipath.org for other methods.

For Further Information:

Email: studies@bodhipath.org or visit our website www.bodhipath.org/studies.

Please note: Your registration will not be complete until you receive our confirmation that we have received your payment.