As a preliminary introduction to my upcoming publication,
I will argue here that we can understand Yogacara in a
different light if we look at what preceded it rather than
what succeeded it. As an example, we will look at the
relationship between alaya-vijnana and vijnapti in light of
the use of the term vijnapti in the Twenty Verses. Other
examples of this preferred perspective are the various
places in which, first the ‘reality’ of object and then the ‘reality’
of mind (citta) are successively deconstructed on the
path. The Dharmadharmatâvibhâga is an excellent source
for this deconstructive approach.

Professor Waldron teaches courses on the South Asian religious traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, Tibetan religion and history, comparative psychologies and philosophies of mind, and theory and method in the study of religion. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, after three years of research at Otani University, Kyoto, Japan. His publications focus on the Yogacara school of Indian Buddhism as well as its dialogue with modern thought. Professor
Waldron has been at Middlebury College since 1996 and has over the years taught numerous courses at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, affiliated with Kathmandu University in Nepal. His monograph, The Buddhist Unconscious: The Ālaya-vijñāna in the Context of Indian Buddhist
Thought was published by RoutledgeCurzon in 2003. An introduction to Indian Yogacara entitled Making Sense of Mind-Only: the Dependent Arising of Indian Yogacara Buddhism is forthcoming (2023) with Wisdom Publications. 

The talk was entitled "Making Sense of Mind-Only: a Constructivist Interpretation of Yogācāra Buddhism". He spoke with students and participants at RYI on Nov 9, 2022.

Prof. Bill Waldron - "Making Sense of Mind-Only"

Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche - an eminent teacher of the Karma Kagyu lineage who is currently lecturing on tantric views and practices at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery - has accepted Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s request to present and discuss Buddhism’s three yānas based on Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye’s Treasury of Knowledge and he spoke with students at RYI on Feb, 4, 5 & 6, 2016 and translated by Dr. Thomas Doctor. 

Khenpo Chödrak Tenphel Rinpoche - "The Three Vehicles" Part-II

A cover of a song I heard on a cd by Nawang Khechog, a Tibetan musician who plays flute very nicely.

“Peace Through Kindness" cover

Rangjung Yeshe Institute (RYI) has conducted study programs in Nepal for more than 25 years. Since 2002 RYI has partnered with Kathmandu University offering academic credit for those study programs. In 2009 RYI launched its online learning program. Our aim is to utilise our expertise and experience to enable students from around the world to study Buddhism and Himalayan Languages with us.

Prof. Bill Waldron - "Making Sense of Mind-Only"

Rangjung Yeshe Institute

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