Arya Nagarjuna's Letter to a Friend with Geshe Tenley (7/3/2024)

As we begin to explore the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, we see that they are extensive and profound. For many of us living at a hurried pace in a hurried world, we wonder how we can best make use of this wisdom. Is it applicable to the lifestyle of a householder with a career and family responsibilities? Is it possible to fulfill worldly obligations and still be a serious practitioner?

Remarkably, a composition addressing just this issue was written by the esteemed Buddhist master Arya Nagarjuna over 1500 years ago. In Letter to a Friend, composed as advice for his friend King Satavahana, Nagarjuna counsels the king on how to satisfy his worldly responsibilities while not compromising his Buddhist values. The Buddhist path, what to take up and what to put aside, is described in straight-forward language making the advice easy to understand and follow. The class is suitable for newcomers and experienced students.

Geshe Tenley is the Resident Teacher at Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies in Boston. He was ordained by the late Gyume Khensur Geshe Urgyen Tseten Rinpoche in 1990 and began the program of studies to become a geshe at Sera Jey Monastic University. During the course of his studies, he has received many teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well as many other highly qualified masters. In 1998, he received his full ordination (gelong) vows from His Holiness and received his geshe degree in 2008. He began teaching at Kurukulla Center in 2009 and upon the advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche he was appointed Resident Teacher by the Kurukulla Center Board of Directors in 2010. Geshe Tenley is well-known for his approachability and kindheartedness. His extensive activities in the US and around the world bring great joy and benefit to everyone he meets.