Sravasti Abbey and Buddha’s Center, in collaboration with the UMA Institute of Buddhist Studies, have announced the Jeffrey Hopkins Legacy Series, 11 online lectures led by prominent Buddhist scholars. The series aims to honor the memory and contributions of Jeffrey Hopkins, a distinguished scholar, translator, and practitioner who played a pivotal role in the dissemination of Buddhism in the West. The sessions will be held each Sundays until 24 November at 2 p.m. Pacfic Time, and will be accessible streamed live via Zoom and YouTube. The first lecture, by Donald Lopez on the collected works of Jeffrey Hopkins, was delivered 15 September.
Jeffrey Hopkins, who passed away on 1 July 2024, was the founder of the Tibetan and Buddhist Studies program at the University of Virginia and served as an professor emeritus there. His career was marked by a profound dedication to the study and teaching of Tibetan Buddhism, and his impact on the spread of Buddhism in the English-speaking world is widely recognized.
Hopkins was known for his work as the English translator for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and for his scholarship, particularly his seminal work Meditation on Emptiness (Wisdom Publications 1983). His innovative approach to Buddhist studies included the addition of Tibetan scholars to his faculty, and he authored, translated, and edited numerous books that have become key resources for popular and academic audiences.
The online teachings in the Jeffrey Hopkins Legacy Series will feature 11 of Hopkins’ notable students, who will share their insights and reflections in honor of their mentor. This series represents an opportunity for attendees to engage with the teachings and the legacy of a scholar who dedicated his life to promoting a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhism.
All sessions in the Jeffrey Hopkins Legacy Series are offered freely, although donations are welcomed. Contributions can be offered through a link at the event website. Those wishing to donate can specify “Hopkins Series” in the comment box.
Jeffrey Hopkins’ work has had a profound influence on the development of Buddhist studies in the West. His establishment of the Tibetan and Buddhist Studies program at the University of Virginia set a new standard for academic engagement with Tibetan Buddhism.
Upcoming speakers and topics include:
22 September
Guy Newland – The Two Truths According to Je Tsongkhapa29 September
Anne C. Klein (Lama Rigzin Drolma) – Nyingma, Dzogchen, and Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche in the Hopkins Oeuvre6 October
Jongbok Yi – Tsongkhapa’s Identification of the Object of Negation in the Svātantrika-Mādhyamika13 October
Jules Levinson – Sakya Panchen Begs to Differ20 October
John Powers – The 8th and 9th Karmapa’s Explanation of Madhyamika and its Necessity for Mahamudra27 October
Craig Preston – Getting into Emptiness with Jamyang Shaypa, an interactive session3 November
Venerable Thubten Chodron – Why is the Vinaya Important if Things Are Empty?10 November
Georges Dreyfus – The Prasangika Svatantrika Debate17 November
Daniel Cozort – The Diamond Sutra on Four Delusions Regarding Interdependence24 November
Steven Weinberger – The Importance of Yoga Tantra, An Introduction to the Sarva-tathagata-tattva-samgraha
See more
Jeffrey Hopkins Legacy Series (Sravasti Abbey)
Buddha’s Center
In Memoriam: Jeffrey Hopkins, Professor Emeritus of Tibetan Studies (UVA Today)
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