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Discovering Buddhism Study Group:
Wisdom of Emptiness

Wednesdays, November 2, 9, 23, 30, December 7, 14 (Q&A with Ven. Amy Miller) and 21 (optional review session at a private home)

 
Image: Manjushri, symbolizing the embodiment of transcendent wisdom.
In this module, we will work to enhance our ability to bring about the realization of emptiness, which is crucial for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment.
 
We will explore such questions as: 
  • What is emptiness? 
  • What is the relationship between emptiness and liberation and enlightenment? 
  • What is the relationship between emptiness and dependent arising?  
  • What are different ways to meditate on emptiness? 
  • How can we personally realize emptiness? 
We will also discuss and practice different methods to use in meditation on emptiness and practice accumulation of merit and purification of obstacles, which are indispensable for generating realizations within the mind.

Discovering Buddhism (DB) study groups are geared for students who wish to deepen their understanding of fundamental Buddhist concepts. Shantideva Meditation works with a version of the DB home study program, which includes transcripts of teachings by qualified Western teachers, presentations by a facilitator, discussion among peers, and guided meditations.

Ven. Amy Miller will lead a Q&A session in person on Wednesday, December 14.

Dates and Time:
Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm:
November 2, 9, 23, 30, December 7, 14 (Q&A with Ven. Amy Miler) and 21 (optional review session at a private home) - No session on November 16.

Location: 
Jewel Heart Center: 260 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013 
 
Directions: 260 West Broadway is just below Canal Street. The entrance is in the St. John's Lane alleyway that runs parallel to and between Varick Street and 6th Avenue. Here is a map showing the location of Jewel Heart Center.
  
Subway Transportation: 1 to Franklin St.; A, C, E to Canal St.; N, R to Canal St.

Suggested Donation:
Fee: $60 (or $10/session) to help support direct costs, including space rental, Dharma materials, and administration.


Registration: 
Register here for this module. 

Online registration will close at 3pm on Wednesday, November 2. Walk-ins are welcome.
  
Readings
If you are a registered student, you may access the readings here on our password protected page. 

Readings for session one (to be read in advance) will be included in your confirmation email. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about accessing this page.

Discovering Buddhism Certification:
FPMT certification is available for those who complete all the components of the course. The completion certificate confirms the satisfaction of having accomplished a comprehensive engagement with the path to enlightenment and is symbolic of your commitment to spiritual awakening. For more information on the requirements for certification, please email Spiritual Program Coordinator, Arnaud.

Discovering Buddhism Guidelines:
The study group guidelines can be accessed here. Please read and if you have any questions feel free to contact Spiritual Program Coordinator, Arnaud: [email protected]

About the Facilitator:
Gustavo Cutz has worked at Wisdom Publications in Boston, has been an active volunteer with Shantideva Meditation Center since 2008, and a facilitator for Discovering Buddhism since 2012. He also interprets/summarizes Geshe Thubten Soepa's teachings on topics such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eight Worldly Dharmas, the Six Perfections, the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation, and recently Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, chapters 1-3. Gus recently completed his doctorate in psychology at Long Island University and currently practices as a clinician on Long Island.

About the Teacher on Wednesday, December 14:
Ven. Amy Miller has been teaching extensively since 1992 and was ordained as a Buddhist nun in June 2000 by the great Tibetan master, Ven. Choden Rinpoche. She has directed several FPMT centers and projects for decades and has completed a seven-month solitary retreat. Her teaching style emphasizes a practical approach to integrating Buddhist philosophy into everyday life. She is happy to help people connect with meditation and mindfulness in an effort to gain a refreshing perspective on normally stressful living. Venerable teaches and leads retreats and pilgrimages around the world. Her teaching schedule and other information can be found at www.AmyMiller.com.
 
Ven. Amy is the co-author of Buddhism in a Nutshell and a contributor to Living in the Path, a series of online courses produced by FPMT.         

About Us


Shantideva Meditation Center is dedicated to cultivating wisdom and compassion through the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism within the New York community. 

We are affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by Founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe, and Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

For more information, please email Shantideva Meditation or visit our website
 
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