Jataka Tales

Past life stories of Shakyamuni Buddha

with Ven. Tenzin Namjong

Tuesdays, September 26 – October 24, 2023
7:00pm – 8:30pm PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)

5 sessions

We are using the Zoom video conferencing system for this event. Please register below to receive your online access information.

The Jataka Tales are a collection of the past life stories of Shakyamuni Buddha when he was still training as a bodhisattva. The stories illustrate the courage, determination, and virtuous practice the Buddha perfected while training on the path to enlightenment. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has continued the centuries-old tradition of teaching a selection from the Jataka Tales during the annual Great Prayer Festival. In this class, Venerable Namjong will bring to life the Buddha’s teachings found in the Jataka Tales, providing students of any experience level wisdom and inspiration.

Mahajanaka Jataka
Mahajanaka Jataka, Thailand, The Walters Art Museum

Recommended Reading

Ven. Tenzin Namjong

Born and raised in Hawaii, Venerable Tenzin Namjong studied philosophy at Princeton. His plan was to do a Ph.D. in philosophy, but he became disillusioned with academic philosophy because “it seemed to have lost the big picture, meaning how we should live our lives.” In Buddhism, he found a rich philosophical tradition that was still very much connected to how we ought to live.

Venerable Namjong studied and trained in Zen and Theravada traditions before embracing the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, due mainly to the kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. He is currently studying in the Geshe study program at Sera Je Monastery in Bylakuppe, India.

Venerable Namjong is a registered teacher of the FPMT and teaches in FPMT Centers all over the world.

Support

Our ability to continue offering these teachings is dependent on the generosity of donors. If you find this online content useful and you are not already attending the teachings in person, any donation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your kind support.

Video Recordings

Registration

Suggested Donation: $60 for the entire course (five classes). Registration is required to receive your online access information.

Your generous donations are essential for the continuation of programs like this. No one turned away due to lack of funds.