About Event:
Having completed Chapter 10 of Shantidevas Bodhisattvas Way of Life, Bodhicharyavatara we continue our studies in 2026 by undertaking the final core subject in this round of the Basic Program: Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra.
This topic will take 20 weeks to complete and is made up of 5 modules. The first 2 modules teach the topic of the Lower Tantras, and the final 3 modules teach Highest Yoga Tantra.
Read more about the Basic Program itself here.
Module 1: Lower Tantra (5 week module)
Week 1: Wednesday 15 April 10:30am – Thursday 16 April 9:30am
Week 2: Wednesday 22 April 9:30am – Thursday 23 April 9:30am
Week 3: Wednesday 29 April 9:30am – Thursday 30 April 9:30am
Week 4: Wednesday 6 May 9:30am – Thursday 7 May 9:30am
Week 5: Wednesday 13 May 9:30am – Thursday 14 May 9:30am
Break for Nyung Nä Retreat
Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra
Text
Ngawang Palden, Illumination of the Tantric Tradition: The Principles of the Grounds and Paths of the Four Great Secret Classes of Tantra
The text presents the most important features of the four classes of tantra as well as the initiation procedures and particularities of the deity yoga related to each class, with a special emphasis on Highest Yoga Tantra. The text offers a condensed explanation of the subjects covered in Lama Tsongkhapa’s Great Exposition of Secret Mantra (Ngagrim Chenmo).
During the Geshe Summit in April 2001, the assembled BP teachers and Lama Zopa Rinpoche decided that this subject could be appropriately taught on the basis of Ngawang Palden’s more accessible Presentation of the Grounds and Paths of the Four Great Secret Tantra Sets as opposed to the more complicated text by Kirti Lobsang Trinley.
Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra offers a concise overview of the structure of the tantric path, widely acclaimed in Tibet as the swiftest and most sublime means to realize Buddhahood. Tantra distinguishes itself in particular through a unique combination of method and wisdom, achieved through meditation on the perfect form of a buddha as completely devoid of true existence. Presenting the paths of all four classes of tantra, while not being a guide to highest yoga tantra practice itself, this subject provides a clear overview of its complex path structure.
Secret Mantra – With or without empowerment
Generally, to study any highest yoga tantra subject, requirements pertaining to tantra and restrictions for access to written and recorded materials apply. It is however up to the teacher to decide on the specific requirements set. Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche felt that it would be beneficial to make these teachings available to students with respect for and faith in the Dharma. Thus, the FPMT Basic Program course for GROUNDS AND PATHS OF SECRET MANTRA is offered without the restriction of the empowerment and commitments related to highest yoga tantra.
His Holiness Dalai Lama’s advice is to teach tantra in order to clarify the many dangerous misunderstandings about it existing with the general public. As potential teachers, BP graduates need to have a good and correct understanding of tantra to be able to answer when asked about it by students.
To ensure the most benefit from these teachings, and to develop the respect and motivation appropriate for receiving them, proper preparation is advised. As a general preparation, the Stages of the Path teachings explain refuge and the development of the bodhisattva aspiration and the commitments involved, and Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds and Mahayana Mind Training help develop these commitments and train in keeping them. The tantra subjects are therefore best offered to students who have completed these BP subjects.
Geshe Tsultrim has advised that these teachings are to be made available to students who approach them with respect and faith in the Dharma. Through meditation, teachings and Q&A sessions with Geshela, and tutorials with one of our most highly educated nuns Venerable Thubten Pema, you will hopefully gain a clear understanding of these life-changing ideas, enabling you to integrate that wisdom into your own way of thinking, transforming your experience.
We do need to make it clear that this is part of our In-Depth Program (read all about this here). Please contact the coordinator on bsp@chenrezig.com.au if you’d like to discuss this further.
About our Teacher:
Geshe Phuntsok Tsultrim is immensely popular for the warm and approachable way in which he presents the Dharma and inspires our community. He became a monk in Tibet and did extensive study at Sera Je Monastery in India, where he was awarded his Geshe degree (the equivalent of a doctorate in Buddhist studies) in 2005. He began teaching at Chenrezig Institute in 2014 after being chosen for our community by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. He teaches in Tibetan with the help of an interpreter.
Geshe Tsultrim has a warm hearted, caring and practical approach to teaching Dharma. He has been the resident Geshe at Chenrezig Institute since 2014. Since then he has taught Dharma both in the Gompa and by the example he sets outside of the Gompa.
About our Translator:
Venerable Jampa Topgyal is a teacher, and translator with extensive training in Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan language, and English. He completed his schooling at Sera Jey School (1986–1999) and PUC in English at CST Mundgod (2000–2001), before undertaking the full Geshe study programme at Sera Jey Monastery (2002–2019). He earned the Paramita Certificate (2012) and Madhyamika Certificate (2017) and is currently completing his Geshe examinations (2020–2025). He also participated in science education programmes for monastics organised by the Tibet Institute Rikon, Switzerland (2007–2011).
His teaching experience includes Tibetan language instruction at Nalanda Monastery, France (2009), private Buddhist philosophy classes in English for international and Indian students at Sera Monastery (2010–2019), and daily Buddhist philosophy classes in Tibetan at Sera Jey Monastery (2013–2019). He completed professional English–Tibetan translation training at Sera Jey Monastery (2012–2018) and served as a live translator for the Emory University Tibet Science Initiative in July 2019, translating neuroscience lectures from English into Tibetan.
About our Teaching Assistant:
Ven. Pema received ordination from our spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 2010. She finished Discovering Buddhism in 2005 and has since graduated both the Basic Program and Masters Program.
Since 2015, Ven. Pema has been teaching Discovering Buddhism and has recently expanded her teaching to online courses for American centres and ten-day residential courses in Nepal. Before becoming ordained, she worked as a teacher in Business, Law, and Computing for nearly 20 years, gaining valuable experience. Now, she blends her teaching expertise with her passion for Dharma.
Schedule
Wednesdays
9:30am - 10:00am Meditation (no meditation on first day of this module)
10:30am - 12:00pm Teaching with Geshe Tsultrim
12:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch
2:00pm - 3:30pm Discussion, Q&A and Tutorial with Ven. Pema
Thursdays
9:30am - 10:00am Meditation
10:30am - 12:00pm Teaching with Geshe Tsultrim
12:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch
2:00pm - 2:45pm Discussion and Tutorial with Ven. Pema
3:00pm - 4:30pm Q&A with Geshe Tsultrim
Registration and Donations
The suggested donation for this 5 week course is $300. A donation of $300 covers our costs and helps sustain the Centre so we can continue offering teachings to the wider community.
However – you are welcome to offer whatever amount you feel comfortable with.
Your donation helps keep the Centre open and running. It supports operational costs, facilities, and the ability to offer teachings.
A donation of $200 makes a meaningful contribution toward maintaining our space.
A donation of $100 helps us cover our most basic costs.
Please note: all donations are non-refundable and go directly to supporting the ongoing operations of the Centre.
You are always welcome to attend our courses free of charge but we kindly ask that you register so we can provide you all the information about the course. Registered students will receive regular updates, transcripts of all Geshela’s teachings, review questions and all extra materials.
Sangha are always able to attend our courses free of charge but are requested to please register.
Registration is possible for attendance in person or online.
Please register early and try not to leave it until the day we start. This helps make sure you receive the Zoom, YouTube, and Dropbox links in time and keeps things running smoothly for everyone.
Note: When you are planning to register to attend online, please read the attached information and requests for the benefit of our students and volunteers: Information for online participants