The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
Exploring moment-to-moment experience
In this six-session course, Lama Döndrup offers an in-depth exploration of the essence of the Buddhist teachings, the 12 Links of Dependent (or Interdependent) Origination.
Having a genuine understanding of the 12 links of dependent origination allows us to recognize the fundamental cause of our suffering, to see how that suffering is perpetuated, and offers the motivation to undertake the practices needed to uproot it. The teaching is fundamental to understanding the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, and to understanding that in each moment two levels of experience are arising simultaneously- ordinary or conventional reality, with all of our conditioned thoughts and patterns, and ultimate or genuine reality - shunyata in sanskrit - which is translated as openness or emptiness, the way things genuinely are. Both are true, and recognizing truth of both realities is the path out of suffering.
Through imagery, video, explanation, meditation and personal inquiry, Lama Döndrup presents this profound teaching in a way that allows it to be applied to our moment-to-moment experience, the current lifetime and our experience from lifetime to lifetime.
The application of these teachings can bring a sense of groundedness and direction during a time when the circumstances of our life may seem beyond our control. While we cannot control what arises in our life, we have a choice in how we respond to it and this in turn will flavor our experience of the next moment.
Each session begins with opening prayers and a mantra, followed by a short meditation, a teaching accompanied by imagery and video, a guided period of reflection, and then questions for personal reflection. Its a deep and profound dive into our experience.
Your Instructor
Lama Döndrup is the Resident Lama of Sukhasiddhi Foundation overseeing the curriculum and offerings at Sukhasiddhi in collaboration with the lamas and dharma leaders on the teachers council. She has practiced and studied in the Buddhist tradition for over twenty five years. After five years of Theravadin Buddhist training, she immersed herself in the teachings and practices of the Shangpa and Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. In 2005, she completed a traditional three-year retreat and was authorized as a lama. Upon her return to Marin County, she began teaching classes and leading meditations at Sukhasiddhi Foundation, and in 2020 was authorized by Lama Palden Drolma as Resident Lama. Lama Döndrup is honored to guide students through all stages of the spiritual journey; helping them to feel confident in their own understanding of practices and teachings; and supporting the natural unfolding of their innate wisdom and compassion. In addition to her Buddhist training, Lama Döndrup trained in the Diamond Approach for seven years and has a Masters of Fine Arts degree in piano performance.
Course Curriculum
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StartHandouts
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StartPart 1: The Essence of the Teaching, a Tour of the Wheel of Life (63:01)
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StartPart 2: Unawareness and Karmic Formations - Links 1 and 2 (75:16)
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StartPart 3: Consciousness, Form, Sense, Contact and Feeling - Links 3 through 7 (72:13)
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StartPart 4: Craving, Clinging and Becoming - Links 8, 9 and10 (73:56)
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StartPart 5: The Birth and Dissolution of Identity - Links 11 and 12 (72:49)
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StartPart 6: Practical Applications and Methods of Interpretation (85:14)
