Live course from January to May 2026.
Afterwards available as VOD on this page.
+ Organised by Rigpa France +
With this study event, Philippe Cornu - Rigpa Senior Teacher, writer and Tibetan translator - will begin a new cycle devoted to the essential concepts of Buddhism and their evolution. This cycle, set to last several years, will present the historical development of the Dharma, but also, and above all, its foundations, doctrines, philosophy, and practices. This first year will be devoted to ancient Buddhism and Theravāda.
Philippe Cornu teaches in French and will be translated live into English.
The VOD will be available on this page within a month after each session.
About this course
Buddhism has been attracting growing interest in the West for more than fifty years now. But what do we really know about its foundations, its practices, and the scope of its vision?
This new series of lectures invites us to return to the sources of Buddhism (the 'fundamental teachings' of ancient Buddhism and Theravāda), to understand its key principles and its development (the Four Noble Truths, the Four Seals, conditional co-production, etc.). Diving into its philosophy, practices and history will enable us to fully appreciate its depth and modernity.
These lectures are open to all and are aimed both at those who wish to discover what Buddhism is, beyond commonly held preconceptions and misconceptions, and at those who already practice it and wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Buddha's path.
Dates & Schedule
Each teaching takes place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm (Paris time).
Dates of the live teachings :
- 19 January 2026
- 2 February 2026
- 16 February 2026
- 16 March 2026
- 11 May 2026
- 18 May 2026
- 8 June 2026
The VOD will be available on this page within a month after each session.
Translation
Philippe Cornu teaches in French and will be translated live into English.
Study material
To follow this course, the french readers can refer to the book written by Philippe Cornu, with the collaboration of Louise Bressollette:
- Manuel de bouddhisme. Philosophie, pratique et histoire, Tome I. Bouddhisme ancien et Theravāda, Rangdröl editions, 2019 (an English translation, currently in progress, will be published shortly).
This book can be ordered from Rangdröl, at Lulu.com.
Open contribution
You can contribute whatever is currently appropriate and possible for you. Our recommendations are:
- Suggested contribution: 84 €
- If you want to give more: 100 €
- If you have less means: 67 €
Note: if you have already specifically subscribed to this event as part of your Rigpa France membership, you can contribute €0.
Speaker
Tibetologist, specialist of Buddhism in all its forms and long-time practitioner, Philippe Cornu has devoted his career to teaching and transmitting Buddhist philosophy in universities (INALCO, UCLouvain) as well as in Buddhist centers. He is the author of the Dictionnaire Encyclopédique du Bouddhisme and of the book Le bouddhisme : une philosophie du bonheur ? published by Seuil. He is also the author of numerous translations of essential Tibetan texts such as the Five Treatises on the Mind alone by Vasubandhu or the Diamond Sutra and other Sutras of the Middle Way published by Fayard. Philippe Cornu has been appointed as a senior teacher in the Rigpa Sangha in August 2021.