The three levels of understanding emptiness are intellectual, inferential, and direct. The intellectual understanding should include the two truths, emptiness as an absence of inherent or independent existence, and dependent arising.
The inferential realization of emptiness is gained through contemplating the stainless reasonings traditionally used in the Gelug tradition. Inferential understanding of emptiness uses the ordinary conceptual mind to realize emptiness faultlessly, though not directly.

Realizing emptiness directly in our tradition would require first attaining the Mahayana paths of accumulation and preparation. The union of calm abiding and special insight into emptiness is the attainment of the path of preparation. Direct realization of emptiness marks the accomplishment of the path of seeing.

This course focuses on the inferential understanding of emptiness, which can be accomplished without completing the training in Samatha. With some concentration, training in the reasonings will bring about the conclusion that the teachings on emptiness and dependent arising are unmistaken. By continuing to meditate with that inferential understanding, it is possible to have an actual experience of the absence of true existence, which is very heart of the Buddha’s wisdom teachings. This experiential realization is a counterforce to our afflictions, and an important foundation for the practice of deity yoga. It will become the object for single-pointed meditation on emptiness, which will lead to direct realization of emptiness and liberation from samsara.

Participating in a study group is a way to focus the mind on the essential elements of gaining an inferential understanding. By processing the materials in a different way – not just passively reading and listening to others’ presentations, but making presentations yourself – the wonder of the teachings will hit home in a deeper way. That will bring a new level of understanding and motivate you to work with the reasonings to get to a conceptual – but nevertheless actual – realization of emptiness.

The group program started on June 1, 2020, and enrollment is now closed. Vast & Profound plans to offer this program again in the future.