419 LESSON 28 10 2011 Ekaputta Sutta The Only Son
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Ekaputta Sutta
The Only Son
Translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s monastery. Now at that time the dear and beloved only son of a certain lay follower had died. So a large number of lay followers — their clothes wet, their hair wet — went to the Blessed One in the middle of the day and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As they were sitting there the Blessed One said to them: “Why have you come here — your clothes wet, your hair wet — in the middle of the day?”
When this was said, the lay follower said to the Blessed One, “My dear and beloved only son has died. This is why we have come here — our clothes wet, our hair wet — in the middle of the day.”
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:
Tied down by what’s dear & alluring,
heavenly beings, most people,
worn out with misery,
fall under the sway of the King of Death.
But those who, day & night,
heedfully abandon what’s dear,
dig up misery
by the root —
Death’s bait
so hard
to overcome.
DOB 690 Pramānavārttika: The Ocean of the Texts on Reasoning I - 2 credits
Delivery Mode: Residential & Online
Course Description:
This course is an in-depth study of Pramānavārttika by Dharmakīrti (ca. 7th century) -
the influential work of Buddhist Pramāna tradition - based on commentaries by the
Seventh Karmapa, Chödrak Gyamtso (1454–1506) and Sakya Pandita (1182–1251). We
will explore the first two chapters: establishing the Buddha as a source of valid cognition,
and exposition of direct perception.
Prerequisite: BUD 630
BUD 691 Pramānavārttika: The Ocean of the Texts on Reasoning II - 2 credits
Delivery Mode: Residential & Online
Course Description:
This course is a continuation of the in-depth study of Pramānavārttika by Dharmakīrti
(ca. 7th century) - the influential work of Buddhist Pramāna tradition - based on
commentaries by the Seventh Karmapa, Chödrak Gyamtso (1454–1506) and Sakya
Pandita (1182–1251). We will continue the exploration of the second chapter on direct
perception and conclude with chapters three and four which present inference for oneself
and inference of others.
Prerequisite: BUD 690
1.3.2 Advanced Curriculum: Second Turning
DOB 700 Madhyamakāvatāra: The Chariot of the Takpo Kagyü Siddhas I - 2 credits
Delivery Mode: Residential & Online
Course Description:
This course is an in-depth study of Chandrakīrti’s Madhyamakāvatāra based on the
commentary by the Eight Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje (1507-1554). We will begin with the
presentation of the Madhyamaka of the model texts followed by a close examination of
the first five Madhyamakāvatāra’s chapters correlated with the first five bodhisattva
bhūmis. Several difficult points will be covered such as the three reasons which prove
that arhats realize selflessness of person.
Prerequisite: BUD 691
BUD 701 Madhyamakāvatāra: The Chariot of the Takpo Kagyü Siddhas II - 2 credits
Delivery Mode: Residential & Online
Course Description:
This course is a continuation of the in-depth study of Chandrakīrti’s Madhyamakāvatāra
based on the commentary by the Eight Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje (1507-1554). We will study
the first part of the sixth chapter on the pāramitā of prajñā which primarily deals with the
reasoning refuting arising from the four extremes. The difficult points covered include the
prāsangika-svātantrika distinction as well as the presentation of the two truths.
Prerequisite: BUD 700
BUD 702 Madhyamakāvatāra: The Chariot of the Takpo Kagyü Siddhas III - 2 credits
Delivery Mode: Residential & Online
Course Description:
This course is a continuation of the in-depth study of Chandrakīrti’s Madhyamakāvatāra
based on the commentary by the Eight Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje (1507-1554). We will
complete the bulk of the sixth chapter on the pāramitā of prajñā. The topics covered