Vikramashila Foundation India

1. जातकमाला - आर्यशूर || Jātakamālā by Āryaśūra

The Jātakamālā, the Garland of 34 stories of the Buddha’s past lives by Āryaśūra, presents us with an example of Sanskrit in its poetic mode and a particularly beautiful expression of Buddha dharma. Like so much in Sanskrit there is a correct way of reading these stories.
In our reading and study of the Jātakamālā we will keep a watchful eye on word meaning, pronunciation, recitation method and grammatical constructs.

Project duration: 2022–2024
Date: 9th February – 29th June 2022
Time: 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm | Wednesdays

Registration at Google forms: https://forms.gle/KjAETjNDqgqcEXB78

2. बोधिसत्त्वचर्यावतार - आचर्या शन्तिदेवा|| Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra by Ācārya Śantideva

The Bodhicharyāvatāra is one of the most revered texts of Mahayana Buddhism. This sublime teaching sets out the path of the Bodhisattva. The text reflects the profound realisation of the author and his life as a siddha. As part of our Sanskrit studies, we will explore the language and meaning of the text. Our classes will include reading the original words with the aim of developing accurate reading skills with respect to pronunciation and rhythm, recitation, as well as providing a contextual grasp of meaning and grammar.

Project duration: 2022–2024
Date: 6th July – 16th November 2022
Time: 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm | Fridays

Registration at Google forms: https://forms.gle/J2mo8grwR5QoH5AVA

3. संस्कृत-विद्यारम्भः || One Year Foundation course in Sanskrit studies

Our studies in Sanskrit will cover the basic and intermediate levels of the language. Whether you are an aspiring scholar, or a practitioner, our course will provide a firm grounding in the essential elements of Sanskrit and Buddhist studies.

Semester 1: Winter - Spring Semester 2022: 5th February – 28th May 2022
Semester 2: Summer- Autumn Semester 2022: 5th July – 8th November 2022
Time: 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Registration at Google forms: https://forms.gle/aKHehdun52esJeoEA

4. Sanskrit Buddhist Terminology

The study of Sanskrit terminology expands our knowledge of unique Sanskrit terms. We find depths of meaning in a single word. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that we can find a whole world within a single word.

Date: Every month: 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
Time: 2.00 pm to 4.00pm.

Registration at Google forms: https://forms.gle/1MdPEY4X5J6oB61e7

5. ध्यान - Dhyāna - Observing the mind – Meditation:

The Guided Meditation: 7.00 am to 8.00 am

6. रत्नसंग्रह: मन्त्र, सूत्र, धारणी, स्तोत्र, नामावली || Collection of jewels: Mantra, Sutra, Dhāranī, Stotra, Nāmāvalī

Expanding our capacity to a range of Sanskrit textual material. The emphasis will be on the correct pronunciation, recitation method, and word meaning to facilitate learning and unpack the meaning of original Buddhist text:
प्रज्ञापारमिताहृदयसूत्रम् || Prajñāpāramitāhṛdaya Sutram | Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra
प्रतीत्यसमुत्पाद धारणी || Pratītyasamutpāda Dhāraṇī - Dhāraṇī of Dependent Origination
आर्यतारा दशाक्षरम् मन्त्र: || Ārya Tārā Daśākṣara mantraḥ - Green Tara Ten-Syllable mantra
उष्णीषविजयाधारणी || Uṣṇīṣa Vijayā Dhāraṇī
वज्रसत्त्वशताकक्षरम् मन्त्रः || The Hundred-Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva
भगवत्यार्यतारादेव्या नमस्कारैकविंशतिस्तोत्रम् || The Hymn of the Twenty-One Namaskāras of Bhagavati Tārā
ताराष्टाघोरताराणी धाराणी || Dhāraṇī of Arya Tara Who Saves from the Eight Fears

Registration at Google forms: https://forms.gle/WWLxc6VHJTjotibVA

7. देवनागरी सुलेख|| Devanagari calligraphy | Meditation in motion*

Date: Every month, on the last Sunday: 30 January, 27 February, 27 March, 24 April, 29 May, 26 June, 31 July, 28 August, 25 September, 30 October, 27 November, 25 December.
Time: 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm

Registration at Google forms: https://forms.gle/BkWeXSjxSHiwgXKm9

8. Vikramaśilā Tīrtha Yātrā Forum: The Buddhist Heritage of India*

An online introductory course to Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India
Vikramashila Foundation India will host an online forum, a platform to explore the history and significance of Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, covering monuments, museum artefacts, manuscripts, architecture, art forms, temples in each state of modern India. This forum is open to all who wish to discover the past heritage and modern culture of Buddhism in India.

Project duration: 2022–2024
2022: 13th March – Odisha, 24th June – Bihar, 11th September - Madhya Pradesh, 11th December – Maharashtra.
Time: 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm

Registration at Google forms: https://forms.gle/SrcBxXaeyhAvgUwZ7

Donation: There is no charge for the teaching, however your donation supports the activities of the Vikramashila Foundation India under the guidance of Ven. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.