Hybrid - Appearance and Reality - with Venerable Geshe Tenzin Namdak

APPEARANCE AND REALITY IN BUDDHIST THOUGHT Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8105820312?pwd=shSzand46dda8xqKYrPgBPUPPQa7kj.1Zoom Login: 8105820312Passcode: karunaAppearance and reality in Buddhist thoughtThe question of how things appear and how they actually exist is central to Buddhist philosophy. The Madhyamaka tradition, which Tsongkhapa’s Gelug school follows, addresses it through the two truths:Conventional truth (kun rdzob bden pa) is the way things appear and function in everyday experience. A table holds a cup, a person acts and has a name. These appearances are valid for practical purposes.Ultimate truth (don dam bden pa) is the way things actually exist. Phenomena lack inherent, independent existence and are empty of it. This is emptiness, the final nature of phenomena.About Geshe Tenzin NamdakGeshe Tenzin Namdak is a Dutch-born Tibetan Buddhist teacher, and he is the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London. I’m assuming he is the Geshe Tenzin Namdak on your schedule, but please confirm that before the write-up goes out.BackgroundHe trained in hydrology in the Netherlands and worked as an environmental researcher before becoming a monk.He began Buddhist study at the Maitreya Institute in the Netherlands.He was ordained by the Dalai Lama.He spent over 20 years at Sera Jey Monastic University in India, completing the traditional Geshe degree. He is described as one of the first Westerners to do so.He also completed the one-year Vajrayana programme at Gyume Tantric College.He was a student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.Teaching and workHe is the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre London, which is affiliated with FPMT. He leads courses and puja services, all in English, and teaches internationally.He is an Associate Tutor on the Buddhist Mind Science programme at Oxford University.He takes part in Science & Wisdom dialogues with scientists.He worked in the Sera Jey Translation Department on Khedrup Je’s commentary on Dharmakirti’s Seven Treatises on Valid Cognition, published as Freedom Through Correct Knowing.His teaching covers Buddhist philosophy, lojong (mind training) and lamrim, with texts by Nagarjuna, Atisha, Shantideva and Je Tsongkhapa.