Summer Course 2007

June 18th through July 13, 2007

Deer Park Summer Course 2007 will be an exceptional and auspicious experience. Beginning just a month after the visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this will be the first time Ven. Geshe Lhundub Sopa, Abbot and Director of Deer Park, will be teaching the annual summer course in the stunning and inspiring new temple that he envisioned and guided in construction.

Geshe Sopa will be teaching Je Tsong Khapa's:

Ocean of Reasoning: A Great Commentary on Nagarjuna's Mülamadhyamakakarikã
(Tibetan: rTsa she tik chen rigs pa'i rgya mtsho).

Ocean of Reasoning is essential in the study and understanding of Prasangika philosophy. As well as a commentary on Nagarjuna's Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way, it is a sub-commentary on the related works of Chandrakirti and Buddhapalita. More information on these texts is available at: wisdombooks.com

Ocean of Reasoning is rarely taught in Western dharma centers. The 2007 Deer Park summer program will be a unique opportunity to study this valuable text from a highly qualified Tibetan master teaching in English.

Schedule: Geshe Sopa-la will teach Monday through Friday tentatively from 10:00 AM -12:00 noon and from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM from Monday, June 18th through Friday, July 13th.

Most days there will be a discussion session from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, hosted by a senior sangha member or layperson. In lieu of class, there will be Long Life Puja for Venerable Geshe Sopa on Wednesday, June 20th. There are no teachings on July 6th, but all are welcome to attend the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday sponsored by Deer Park and the local Tibetan community. Whether there is class on July 4th will depend on the course attendees’ interests.

Sangha Housing: Ordained monks should contact Ven. Lhundub Sherab or Ven. Lhundub Chowang (608-835-5572 or Lsherab@hotmail.com ) at Deer Park to see if space is available. Ordained nuns should contact Ven. Lhundub Drolma (liane.nakamura@mail.mhcdc.org or 608-835-6990). To help cover the costs of the facilities, sangha staying at either of the Deer Park residences are asked to pay a per-night fee, with fundraising undertaken for those who need assistance**. Ask about the rates when making arrangements.

IMPORTANT: Please send in a registration form even if you speak to someone at Deer Park regarding sangha housing or otherwise inform him or her of your intention to attend the course.

Housing for Laypeople: With limited housing available for ordained sangha only, Deer Park is unable to provide accommodations for students. Please see the list provided for housing options in the Madison area. Also note that the Princeton House is no longer available. A volunteer is available to assist in matching roommates to keep costs down.

Suggested Donation: The suggested donation for the entire 4-week course is $400, prorated by week, day and session. There is no charge for ordained sangha. If you are able, please send a deposit of 50% of your anticipated donation based on the estimated time you plan to attend. The balance can be given upon arrival. No one is refused for inability to pay.

Meals: Please bring a bag lunch/dinner or enjoy meals from among the many and varied local restaurants.

**Donations for Sangha Needing Financial Assistance: As in the past we will solicit donations from course attendees to help cover sangha expenses. Donations will be collected only after the course begins and the need is determined. Donations received will first be used to help those sangha members most needing assistance in paying for housing at Deer Park and for food costs. If any additional donations are received, they will be used to defray those costs for the remaining sangha.

If you are arriving late, please indicate your estimated date of arrival on the form.

To help with planning, please register early by completing the registration form and mailing it with your deposit*. Indicate on the check what the money is for; i.e., course fee, sangha donation, or other purpose. Checks should be made payable to Deer Park and mailed to:

* Sangha not sending any money can send the completed form via email.
Laypeople from outside the U.S. can also email the form and pay on arrival.

Final registration will be the first or second day of your attendance at the course.

We hope that you will be able to join us. Questions should be mailed to the address above or emailed to deerparkcourse@gmail.com; or call Cathy or Frank at 608-233-6954.