Tenets: Advanced Course with Geshe Kelsang Wangmo

Tenets – The Four Schools of Buddhist Philosophy

June 16 – 28, 2014

With Geshe Kelsang Wangmo

This is a 13- day ADVANCED course.

Pre-requisites to join this courses are: having previously taken an Introduction to Buddhism course AND an Intermediate-level course at Tushita, or a one month course at Kopan or similar studies for at least one year.

The four schools of tenets is an extremely important topic of Buddhist study. It is particularly vital for developing a correct understanding of the concept of selflessness, and refers to examining the delineations of the four Buddhist philosophical tenet schools.

The four tenet schools are:
1. The Great Exposition School (Sanskrit: Vaibashika, Tib.: bye brag sma ba’i sgrub mtha’)
2. The Sutra School (Sanskrit: Sautantrika, Tib.: mdo sde ba’i sgrub mtha’)
3. The Mind –Only School (Sanskrit: Cittamatra, Tib.: sems tsam pa’i sgrub mtha’)
4. The Middle Way School (Sanskrit: Madhyamika, Tib.: dbu ma’i sgrub mtha’)

The study of the four tenets is considered to be extremely beneficial since it enables us to identify the innate misapprehensions we hold consciously and unconsciously, so that they can be subjected to analysis. It allows us to gain an understanding of the fact that many of the perspectives basic to our every-day life are devoid of a valid foundation and mere constructions of the mind. In this way we are able to replace invalid assent to deceptive appearances with well-founded views. This is achieved through first learning about the various tenets, then reflecting on their meaning until valid cognition is attained, and finally meditating on the same by enhancing one’s meditation through the force of concentration.

Furthermore, systematic study, starting with the study of the so-called lower tenets, enables us to develop the capacity to appreciate the profound views of the so-called highest tenet, since the understanding of less subtle concepts of the lower tenets is described as an effective stepping stone to gaining insight into the subtlest concepts of the highest tenet. This is evidenced by the considerable amount of time that was traditionally spent in India and Tibet probing particularly into the perspectives of the lower tenet schools.

Thus, the study of tenets provides practitioners with an inner force that is able to distinguish between correct and incorrect perspectives so as to penetrate reality. It further provides a comprehensive worldview that forms the framework for those who want to delve further into the study of Buddhist philosophy, such as the study of the ‘Five Great Canonical Texts’.

During the thirteen days of the Tushita course we will examine each of the four tenets and discuss their central assertions regarding the two truths, selflessness, and so forth. Participants will be provided with handouts.

Recommended Reading

  • 1) “Cutting through Appearances: Practice and Theory of Tibetan Buddhism” by Geshe Sopa and Jeffrey Hopkins (Snow Lion). The second part of this book is called ‘Presentation of Tenets’ and is particularly recommended for this course.
  • 2) “Buddhist Philosophy” by Daniel Cozort and Craig Preston (Snow Lion)
  • 3) “Maps of the Profound” by Jeffrey Hopkins (Snow Lion)

This is a course for advanced-level students, but for more information about a proposed schedule, rules of discipline and how to register please see our Intermediate Course Page.

Course Material (2020 revision)
Course Material (2020 revision – charts)
Audio Recordings