The Third Turning of the Wheel

According to Mahayana Buddhism, all beings without exception have buddhanature–the inherent purity of mind and seed of enlightenment. Faced with confusion and negativity in the world every day, what does it really mean to say that our true nature is already perfectly awake? In this six week course you will explore the good news of Mahayana Buddhism, which teaches that the negativity we experience is temporary and removable–merely obscurations of the true nature of mind, like passing clouds in front of the sun.

Join Amelia Hall, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies in the Wisdom Traditions Department at Naropa University, for a clear and accessible introduction to the historical, philosophical, and spiritual view of the third turning of the wheel of dharma.

Each week includes three 20 minute video talks, accompanied by a discussion forum, supporting ‘deep dive’ readings, and contemplative practices. Your instructor will also host two live sessions online, offering a chance for a direct Q&A and discussion.

Week 1:

• Get an overview of the of the historical, doctrinal, and spiritual dimensions of the third turning of the wheel of dharma

• Review the Mahayana bodhisattva path including excerpts from primary sources in translation

• Introduce the three Turnings and explain key terms important in the study of the third turning teachings

Week 2:

• Learn historical and biographical accounts of two key figures in the third turning teachings, Asanga and Vasubandhu

• Examine a variety of ways in which the two philosophical schools of Yogacara and Madhyamaka react to one another

• Gain an overview of important texts considered classic works of the Yogacara School in Indo-Tibetan and East Asian contexts.

Week 3:

• Learn the Yogacara development of the eight-consciousness model, as well as the mind-knowledge and storehouse consciousness

• The Yogacara development of the three natures, the imaginary, the dependent, and the accomplished

• Hear about classic Buddhist Mahayana examples of illusions such as optical illusions, magic tricks, dreams, and rainbows

Week 4:

• Hear a preliminary summary the Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra

• Overview of the ten chapters translated from the Tibetan version of the sutra.

Week 5:

• Introduction, summary, and review the three reasons why all beings have buddhanature

• Introduction and summary of the fourth ‘Vajra Point’ and the nine examples of buddhanature

• Introduction and summary of the fourth ‘Vajra Point’ and the five reasons and errors

Week 6:

Using the Uttaratantra, The Sublime Continuum as a starting point to further explore the seven ‘Vajra Points’ contained within this scripture

• Introduction and summary of the fifth ‘Vajra Point’

• Introduction and summary of the sixth ‘Vajra Point’

• Introduction and summary of the seventh ‘Vajra Point’, and provide an introduction of the synthesis of buddhanature as a bridge between sutra and tantra.