Join us for a dharma teaching with Justin Kirkwood to explore The Eight Consciousnesses and how these apply to our everyday life.
This month’s Sangha gathering: Tuesday, August 12, 5:30-7:00 pm MDT
Location: Online or in person in Missoula, MT
Justin will be teaching in-person. For those located in Missoula, you are welcome to join a group who will meet at the Namchak office to receive this teaching together. For those unable to join the in-person group, the teaching will be live-streamed via Zoom.
Overview of Evening Talk
As a continuation of June’s talk on The Five Aggregates and our earlier series on The Heart Sutra, this August, we turn our attention to the topic of The Eight Consciousnesses with Namchak teacher and translator, Justin Kirkwood.
How do our thoughts, senses, and habits shape the way we experience the world—and ourselves? In Mahayana Buddhism, these questions are explored through the teachings on The Eight Consciousnesses, a potent framework for understanding the roots of our suffering and the path to liberation.
In this One Community gathering, Namchak teacher and translator Justin Kirkwood, will introduce the Eight Consciousnesses—how they function, how they interrelate, and how they influence our daily experience. We will explore:
- The first six consciousnesses and how they connect to our senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought.
- The seventh consciousness and how it is considered the ‘afflictive consciousness,’ which is caught up in the three poisons of ignorance, grasping, and aversion. This deluded consciousness grasps at the self and phenomenal world, labeling objects as ‘my’ and ‘mine’ and dividing experiences into wanted and unwanted. This keeps us stuck in the cycle of suffering, or samsara.
- Finally, the eighth consciousness which is called the “all-ground” or “alaya” consciousness and holds the karmic imprints of our actions, shaping how our experiences unfold over time.
- Together, these layers of consciousness shape how we suffer, but also point towards how we can be free. By understanding and working skillfully with these aspects of mind, we can cultivate greater awareness, compassion, and liberation in everyday life.
About Justin
Justin Kirkwood is a dedicated dharma student and teacher with over 20 years of experience in studying and practicing Buddhism. Formally trained in monastic universities in India, Justin had the privilege of studying and practicing with many renowned Tibetan masters. He has also worked as a Tibetan translator and interpreter for over fifteen years, deepening his understanding of the sacred texts. Justin is a vital member of the Namchak Foundation, serving as a translator of texts, an interpreter for Namchak Khen Rinpoche, and a teacher.
About One Community
Each month, we come together for an evening of learning and discussion to deepen our understanding of the dharma and our connection with sangha. Led by a Namchak teacher, thought leader, or staff member, each gathering revolves around a specific topic and lasts 90 minutes.
The session begins with a dharma talk and is followed by a Q&A with the teacher.
We invite Learning Circles, meditation buddies, and individuals to join us, and encourage you to bring friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers along to share in the experience!
Address and Zoom Link
Missoula address and Zoom link will be provided upon registration.Please note: Confirmation emails from Eventbrite often end up in spam/promotions tab. Please check there if you do not see the confirmation email.