MAHAYANA PART TWO

Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma

Choden and Kristine Janson

Overview

In 2024/25 we ran a yearlong course on Hinayana Buddhism, which is described as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.  The main focus of this course was on the Four Noble Truths. In 2025/26 we are currently running another yearlong course on Mahayana Buddhism, and our focus has been on the Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. The main focus of this course has been on the practice of Bodhicitta through the 4 Limitless Qualities and the 6 Paramitas. From May this year we are planning to run another yearlong course focused on the Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. This is also part of Mahayana Buddhism. It explores Buddha Nature in more detail, and it is the basis for the Vajrayana teachings found in Tibetan Buddhism.

Third Turning of the Wheel of Dharma

This course will be a continuation of the current Mahayana course. We will explore the roots of Vajrayana, which is described as the ‘diamond vehicle’ because it points to a part of our being that is indestructible (like a diamond) – our Buddha Nature. This is the part of us that is always at peace, whole and free no matter what happened to us in our lives. Whereas in the Second Turning, Buddha Nature is understood as a dormant potential that needs to be awakened (like an unlit lamp that needs to be lit), in the Third Turning it is understood as a quality of being that is fully awakened and present right now, and the path is one of coming to recognise and rest in this awakened presence.

The Third Turning is described as the result vehicle in contrast to the teachings of the Second Turning which is called the causal vehicle. Whereas in the latter we create the causes for enlightenment in the future by practicing the 4 Limitless Qualities and the 6 Paramitas (hence the causal vehicle) in the former we step into the result right away and imagine we are a Buddha now (hence the result vehicle).

We will not be teaching Vajrayana itself because this requires special conditions such as a teacher, lineage and empowerment. Rather, what we will be offering are the conditions and context for practicing Vajrayana. For those who want to enter into a full practice of Vajrayana they will need to find a qualified teacher and connect to a lineage of transmission. This course can be seen as an introduction to Vajrayana.

Course Themes include:

Ground, Path and Fruition – basis of the result vehicle

The key point is that Enlightenment is fully present right now (the ground), but it is obscured, so we need to follow a path to remove these obscurations (the fruition). In the words of TS Eliot, “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

Principle of Buddha Nature

From the point of view of the Third Turning, it is seen as awakened presence right now rather than something dormant needing to be awakened in the future.

The Three Bodies of the Buddha (Trikāya)

Mahayana expands the view of the Buddha from a historical figure to a transcendent, cosmic principle that manifests in three ways:

1. Dharmakāya (Truth Body): The absolute, formless nature of reality that is both open and empty.
2. Sambhogakāya (Enjoyment Body): The energetic radiance of the open and empty nature of being (e.g. a deity like Chenrezi).
3. Nirmāṇakāya (Emanation Body): The physical manifestation of awakened presence (e.g. the historical Buddha).

The Sambhogakāya (the “clouds”) acts as an interface or bridge between the Dharmakāya (the “sky”)  and the Nirmāṇakāya (the “rain”).

Vipassana Practice

The practice of insight meditation operates at different levels. At the level of the Second Turning we come to recognise the emptiness of all phenomena – nothing exists in and of its own right but is an interdependent manifestation like a mirage or a dream. At the level of the Third Turning we come to recognise that the true nature of things is not nothingness but luminous, wakeful presence that shines through every aspect of our lives.

Deity Principle and Chenrezi Practice

Chenrezi is a deity practice. Deities are like intermediaries leading us from our present state of dualistic perception and confusion to the luminous state of wakeful presence. They complement the practice of Vipassana. We will focus on the Chenrezi practice because it can be practiced by anyone and does not require Taking Refuge or receiving an Empowerment. Chenrezi is an expression of bodhicitta, and his 4 arms symbolise the 4 Limitless Qualities of loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.

Five Buddha Families

This is a framework that classifies human experience into five distinct energetic patterns, or ‘families.’ Each of us fall into one of these families which has both a neurotic aspect and an enlightened aspect. The purpose of the practice is to make contact with the wisdom within the neurosis which has the effect of transforming our negative emotions into enlightened wisdom. For example, if our dominant affliction is anger it is likely we will fall into the Vajra family (diamond/thunderbolt) family presided over by Buddha Akshobhya. His presence transforms anger into “mirror-like wisdom”. Akshobhya is blue color and is associated with the water element. He embodies stability, clarity, and sharp intellect, transmuting aggressive energy into calm, direct, and non-judgmental reflection of reality.

Teaching and Practice Structure

Like we did for the last two years, it will be a structured, step by step teaching on the basic principles and practices of Mahayana Buddhism. It will be taught in the experiential style characteristic of the Mindfulness Association. There will be teachings followed by guided practice and the opportunity for sharing on how the teachings and practice land.

The course will be delivered by way of twice monthly online teaching sessions starting in May 2026 and culminating in a retreat (with an online option) at Samye Ling (hopefully) in March 2027. The first online session each month will be a teaching session (2 hours), which will focus on a particular topic with teachings and guided practices. The second online session (1.5 hours), generally two weeks after the teaching session, will be a practice session revisiting the same topic with an opportunity for sharing and feedback on your practice.

Eligibility

This course is only open to those who have completed the Mahayana course.  If you did not complete the Mahayana course but are confident that you have received teachings on the 4 Limitless Qualities and the 6 Paramitas in another teaching context, please contact Choden if you want permission to join the course: choden@mindfulnessassociation.net

Course Fee

The cost of the course is £700.00 which can be paid for in seven monthly instalments.

Teaching Dates

Teaching Sessions (Choden and Kristine): 7 – 9pm:

Wednesdays: (2026) 13 May, 24 June, 22 July, 26 August, 23 September, 21 October, 18 November, 16 December, (2027) 20 January, 24 February

Practice Sessions (Kristine): 7 – 8.30pm: 

Wednesdays: (2026) 3 June, 8 July, 5 August, 9 Sept, 7 October, 4 November, 2 December, (2027) 6 January, 10 February, 10 March

Retreat: 17 – 21 March 2027- venue to be confirmed