Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - PHIL 853 G100

Selected Topics in Medieval Philosophy (5)

37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Class Number: 4218

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    VANCOUVER

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Gyalsé Tokmé’s 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas

Important note regarding enrollment for UBC graduate students:This class is a joint SFU/UBC seminar that is offered at SFU Harbour Centre by SFU instuctor Nic Bommarito.  UBC graduate students can enroll exclusively through the Western Deans' Agreement, and this will be a transfer course from SFU.

Important note regarding enrollment: All seats are reserved for philosophy graduate students. Philosophy honours students and graduate students in other departments will be considered only upon submission of the new online Course Add/Drop Form as required by Graduate Studies. All such enrollments will be done in or after the first week of classes, if there is capacity.


Course description: This seminar will be a close reading of Gyalsé Tokmé Zangpo’s classic ethical text The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas and associated commentaries. Written in Tibetan in the 14th century, the text gives an overview of Mahāyāna ethical thought and practice.



COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Successful completion of this course will satisfy the "Value Theory" stream or the“History of Philosophy" stream distribution requirement towards the MA degree for Philosophy graduate students.

Grading

  • Weekly response assignments 60%
  • Final paper 40%

NOTES:

Students will need to match their term paper to the stream designation towards which they'd like to count the class.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

In addition to the primary text, students will be required to read two commentaries of their choice.

The primary text is available online here: https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/gyalse-thogme-zangpo/37-practices-all-bodhisattvas

Readings of the primary text and commentaries may be done in the student’s language of choice. (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Mandarin are available online).

Suggested English commentaries:

Geshe Sonam Rinchen and Ruth Sonam, The Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas. Snow Lion. ISBN: 1-55939-068-9

Dzatrul Ngawang Tenzin Norbu, A Guide to the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. Snow Lion. ISBN: 9781559394918

Dalai Lama, Commentary on the Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. ISBN: 81-85102-97-X

Dilgo Khyentse, The Heart of Compassion. Shambhala. ISBN: 978-1-59030-457-0

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.