Jan Willis – Prajnaparamita; The Literature and the Goddess

Join us for an enlightening evening with Professor Jan Willis, a distinguished Buddhist scholar, teacher, and practitioner, as she guides us through an exclusive talk on the Prajnaparamita sutras.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 8, 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm CET
WHERE: Teacher onsite at Gablerstrasse and on Zoom – see below for disclaimer
LANGUAGE: English
LEVEL: Everyone is welcome!
REGISTRATION: Please register here.

During the talk, Professor Willis will survey the history and doctrines associated with the group of Buddhist texts also known as the Perfection of Wisdom texts, which are said to have ushered in the Mahayana Buddhist schools of thought. Professor Willis will describe the provenance of these texts and the content and philosophical theories they expound. Finally, she will discuss how the wisdom such texts reveal is embodied in the Goddess Prajnaparamita, the “Mother of all the Buddhas.”

The teachings will explore the following themes:

* Recognize the inherent potential for enlightenment in all beings, challenging traditional gender biases within spiritual practices
* Explore the significant roles and portrayals of women in Buddhist texts, advocating for a reevaluation of their spiritual capabilities
* Incorporate tantric practices into spiritual routines, appreciating the role of feminine deities and principles in facilitating spiritual awakening

ABOUT THE TEACHER

Buddhist Scholar, Teacher, and Practitioner: Jan Willis grew up in the Jim Crow South, marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Birmingham Civil Rights Campaign, and escaped the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama only to face racism of another kind while enrolled at an Ivy League university. Jan persevered and earned her BA and MA in Philosophy from Cornell University, and her PhD in Indic and Buddhist Studies from Columbia University. When she studied abroad in India and Nepal, she met the Tibetan Lama Thubten Yeshe who became her mentor for fifteen years, and one of the most influential Buddhist teachers in the West. Through his guidance, Jan learned to face down the demons of her past and embrace her whole identity – Black, Baptist, and Buddhist. She has studied and taught Buddhism for fifty years.

Jan is currently Professor of Religion Emerita at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, and Visiting Professor of Religion at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. She is the author of numerous essays and books, including The Diamond Light: An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist Meditation; On Knowing Reality: The Tattvartha Chapter of Asanga’s Bodhisattvabhumi; Dreaming Me: Black, Baptist and Buddhist; and Dharma Matters: Women, Race and Tantra.

Read more.

Disclaimer: Lhagsam may publish recorded sessions in the public domain (e.g., on YouTube). By joining this event, you are agreeing to give your consent to this process. To protect your privacy, we recommend being conscious about any personal information you share during the sessions. The teacher and staff are always in the spotlight on Zoom and the camera eye when onsite. To further enhance anonymity on Zoom, you may want to consider turning off video or naming yourself using your first name.

WE INVITE YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

Suggested donation: Please consider supporting us with a donation. Suggested donation per evening is 50 CHF. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds, yet we strongly encourage you to donate generously: The costs of a visiting teacher need to be covered. You can donate online (via Paypal, Twint or E-Banking).

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Language: English

Level: Everyone is welcome!

Registration: Please register here.