Buddhist Tenet Systems

Gelugpa teachings offer a framework for understanding the nature of reality that progresses from gross to the most subtle. The purpose of this intricate and systematic presentation is to cultivate a mind able to investigate appearances and determine how they really exist.

Teachings highlighted in bold are listed at the bottom of the page.

Who it’s for

These teachings will appeal to those interested in the philosophical presentation of how to understand reality according to Buddhist scriptures, a presentation that places emphasis on the wisdom side of the path. Wisdom teachings examine how to realize emptiness and dependent arising. Here that approach is presented according to each of the four different Buddhist tenet systems: Vaibashika (Great Exposition), Sautantrika (Sutra), Cittamatra (Mind-Only) and Madhyamika (Middle Way).

Teachers, content, and resources

Geshe Dorji Damdul

Geshe Dorji Damdul, a distinguished Buddhist scholar with a particular interest in the relationship between science and Buddhism, taught at Sravasti Abbey in 2008 on the root text Presentation of Tenets, written by Gon-chok-jik-may-wang-bo: Tenets with Geshe Dorji Damdul (2008) .

This series of teachings covers such topics as:

• An explanation of the four tenet systems
• Karma, impermanence, and cognition
• Emptiness and impermanence
• Persons, perceptions, and mental factors
• Conventional and ultimate truths
• Cultivating bodhicitta
• Buddhism, science, and mind

Geshe Dadul Namgyal

Geshe Dadul Namgyal, Senior Resident Teacher at Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta and part of the Emory University Emory-Tibet Partnership, taught two series on tenets at Sravasti Abbey.

Over the years 2015-2017, he taught the Madhyamaka Through Metaphors course. Using metaphors from Buddhist scriptures, Geshe Namgyal brought to life the teachings on how to understand the ultimate nature of reality according to the highest tenet system, Prasangika Madhyamika: Madhyamaka through Metaphors with Geshe Dadul Namgyal (2015-17).

This series covers such topics as:

• Explaining the Madhyamaka view
• Coming to the right understanding of emptiness
• Identifying the object of negation
• Meditations on identifying the self and space-like emptiness
• Types of dependent origination
• The determination to be free and cultivating bodhicitta

Geshe Namgyal also taught a course on the key points of the four main Buddhist tenet systems: Tenets with Geshe Dadul Namgyal (2020). The four main Buddhist philosophical systems—Vaibhashika, Sautrantika, Chittamatra,and Madhyamaka—assert the Buddhist doctrine of selflessness, but each offers an increasingly subtle explanation of what that means. The series includes question-and-answer sessions led by Venerable Thubten Chodron and Venerable Sangye Khadro.

This set of teachings covers such topics as:

• History and origin of the tenet school teachings
• What is the person?
• Each school’s view of the root of cyclic existence and emptiness
• The view of spiritual disposition and Buddha nature

Dr. Guy Newland

Dr. Guy Newland, a scholar of Tibetan Buddhism at Central Michigan University, has taught two series on tenets at Sravasti Abbey.

In 2011, he offered teachings on Madhyamaka: Varieties of Madhyamaka with Guy Newland (2011) . Topics he covered include:

• The variety of perspectives on Madhyamaka
• How the teachings of the different Tibetan Buddhist lineages relate to Madhyamaka
• Practical applications of studying philosophy
• Approaching and coping with diversity

In 2010, Dr. Newland gave teachings on the two truths, that is, conventional and ultimate truths: Two Truths with Guy Newland (2010) . This set of teachings covers such topics as:

• What are the two truths?
• The two truths and karma
• The two truths according to the four Buddhist tenet systems
• Understanding the mind, emptiness, and dependent arising
• Debates on coming to the correct conclusion about the nature of reality

Venerable Sangye Khadro

Venerable Sangye Khadro, author of the best-selling How to Meditate, has taught several courses at Sravasti Abbey, including an exploration of The Presentation of Tenets by Jetsun Chokyi Gyaltsen (1469–1544): Tenets with Venerable Sangye Khadro (2022).

Topics include:

• The philosophical assertions of the Vaibhashika school including the view of the two truths
• The Sautrantika school and the mode of asserting objects including conventional and ultimate truths
• The Mind-only or Cittamatra school including views on the two truths and the three natures
• The Svatantrika Madhyamaka assertions
• Explanation of the Prasangika assertions about the mind and the selflessness of persons and phenomena