Vaibhashika, Sautrantika, Yogachara, and Madhyamika—the four philosophical schools—allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the Dharma and to correctly classify teachings that may appear contradictory. This weekend, we will gain an overview of the historical development of these philosophical schools, their presentation as a step-by-step contemplative practice, and the main tenets of each perspective. We will use Professor Sempa Dorje’s (teacher of Karmapa Thaye Dorje) presentation of the schools as a guide to explore and compare individual themes and concepts.