The Mission of the Learning From Buddha College & Seminary
The fundamental mission of the Learning from Buddha College & Seminary (LFBCS) is to enable students to gain transcendental wisdom (prajna) and develop their all-encompassing compassion (bodhichitta) to benefit humanity and all living beings thus becoming enlightened and holy beings. This mission of LFBCS is to be accomplished by deepening the student’s appreciation and understanding of the precious dharma brought to this world by Shakyamuni Buddha and His teacher, Dorje Chang Buddha, and as expounded in this current era by the third emanation in this world of Dorje Chang Buddha, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. LFBCS’s specific mission is to enable English-speaking students to hear and study preliminary translations of the Dharma Discourses and Sutras of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III using the “Seven-Dharma System” of study taught by His Holiness as well as study the Tripitaka with its sutras (suttas) and classic commentaries along with the biographies of the patriarchs and matriarchs of all the major Buddhist traditions. Our focus is on our cultivation and practice and providing the rare English translations that can help us understand and apply the Buddha Dharma to our lives in practical-down-to-earth ways.
Although His Holiness teaches the same fundamental Dharmas that were brought to this world by Shakyamuni Buddha, there are certain teachings that have been corrupted since they were transmitted over 2,500 years ago and have come to us through the filter of many cultures and translations. Part of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s mission here was to correct the most critical misunderstandings that keep us from becoming enlightened beings and to do so in a way that those who have the karmic affinity to hear and understand them can become accomplished.
The curriculum is designed to enhance the student’s cultivation and practice of the dharma; develop the student’s skills and accomplishments in the five vidyas; and enable the student to better understand the lives and practice of the great saints of the various traditions of Buddhism and thus be able to improve his or her own cultivation and practice.
The program also provides an introduction to the main concepts and principles of Buddhism as presented in the Tripitaka and esoteric texts and found in commentary by highly realized masters. It will enable the student to have a basic “Buddhist Literacy” with which to better understand the concepts and teachings of the Buddhas and the many unique terms used in Buddhism. It also provides opportunity for intensive meditation training & retreat as well as both academic and practice-oriented training to enable the student to become accomplished. In achieving these goals, the student will also increase his or her communication and writing skills and ability to receive criticism as well as engage in discussion and dialogue in a logical and constructive manner.