The Yogacara School
Ven. Tenzin Priyadarshi
Edwards Colorado.
January 31-February 1, 2009.
Public Talk Topic: Ethics, Religion and Society: Integration and Interaction. In the wake of socio-political and economic crisis of recent times, we are forced to re-consider our models for a sustainable workings of a globalized world order. How can we explore and develop the ethical dimensions of human behavior in a meaningful manner to give rise to a new generation of leaders? Are there aspects of the religious worldview that may inform the secular society to help formulate an integrative system of integrity? What does it mean to be a compassionate human and a responsible citizen? Visit the Vail Symposium website for information on the Symposium.
Retreat Topic: In this weekend retreat, Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi provided an introduction to the basic ideas of the Yogacara School and its relevance to modern-day practicioners. The Yogacara School, commonly referred to as the “mind only” school, is an outgrowth of Buddhism that began in India with great panditas such as Asanga and Vasubandhu as it proponents. Yogacara was transmitted to Tibet by Dharmaraksita who initiated Atisha into the Yogacara lineage, whereby Yogacara became integral to Tibetan Buddhism.
Yogacara discourse is founded on the existential truth of the human condition: there is nothing that humans experience that is not mediated by mind. Yogacara introduces the concept of eight layers of consciousness to understand the delusions of the mind and to explain the phenomena of cyclic existence, including how rebirth occurs and how karma functions on an individual basis. Related concepts include store consciousness and habit energies.
Yogacara is not a specific meditative practice, but is meant to be applied as a descriptive tool to understand situations of action and intention. The goal of the Yogacara School is the complete clarification of consciousness into wisdom, and ultimately, the attainment of enlightenment.