It is recommended that those seeking a complete Buddhist path pursue both intellectual studies and meditation practice. Neither meditation nor intellectual studies alone is enough to become spiritually advanced; each complements and balances the other. After learning the intellectual concepts, one must practice them regularly, both in meditation and in daily life.Each of these daily practices consists of audio instructions, along with supporting written materials. Formal Study Course 3: Applied Meditation thoroughly describes all aspects of meditation and should be studied as a foundation for the daily practices offered here.
Ten different daily practices are presented here, and represent the classics of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. By studying, meditating upon, and putting these topics into practice in daily life you can develop a great spiritual range and capacity.
We would like to emphasize that, although recordings and written materials can be extremely helpful, it is essential for serious Buddhist practitioners to meet and study directly with a qualified Teacher who can give the necessary guidance and personal instructions of the lineage.
The following practices are available; for a description, and to access the text and audio, click on a link below:
DAILY PRACTICES:
PRACTICE 1: The Mandala of the Steps to Enlightenment (Lam Rim)
PRACTICE 2: The Real Meaning of Refuge
PRACTICE 3: Contemplations on the Practice of Giving and Taking (Tong Len)
PRACTICE 4: Seven Point Practice for Developing a Good Heart (Lojong)
PRACTICE 5: Death and the End of Death
PRACTICE 6: Four Powers to Remove Negative Karma
PRACTICE 7: The Marriage of Karma and Emptiness
PRACTICE 8: The Heart Sutra, A Meditation on Emptiness
PRACTICE 9: The Emptiness of the Mind (Mahamudra)
PRACTICE 10: Je Tsongkapa's Mantra (Ganden Hlagyama)
Supporting practice materials such as the formal readings are available in PDF format. The Acrobat Reader is required to view the document and is available for free from this link.
Should you have any technical difficulties with any of these classes, please contact ACI.