DHARMA PATHFINDER
Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya
Graphical representation of the Buddha's footprints
Buddha image
Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya
Are You a Dharma Pathfinder?
Over the last 20 years or so, a community of Dharma practitioners, seekers and those struggling to find a path has grown into a far flung network that has spread worldwide.
In Mumbai it all began with the Dharma Rain Sangha, but thanks to the blessings of our wonderful gurus and kalyanamitras, as with Indra's net, our sangha embraced and was likewise brought into the fold of the Buddha’s children, by so many sanghas from across India and the world.
Perhaps it was the ripening of some karma from past lives, or some accumulated undeserved merit, that gave me the good fortune to meet these great teachers, and such wonderful students.
During my teaching sessions, a constant refrain has been requests from my students to set up a resource site where they could access my teachings, writings and presentations in one place. Similarly, there has been a pressing need to have an online discussion group.
This website dharmapathfinder.net is designed and dedicated to the students who have made these aspirations to study the Dharma and bring the Buddha into their daily lives.
May each one of us be a jewel in Indra's net, perfectly clear and reflecting all the other jewels in the net, even as we take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
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Welcome to the Dharma Pathfinder community!
"Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace"
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
A Bit About Me
I encountered Buddhism in 1992. I was introduced to the Buddhadharma through the practice of the Lotus Sutra, by the Bharat Soka Gakkai. Though no longer a member of the BSG, I still continue to do the practice.
In 2003 along with some friends, I founded the Dharma Rain Centre which regularly organises teachings for the Mumbai Sangha, and invites teachers such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Geshe Lhakdor, and many others.
I have been associated with the Deer Park Institute in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, since its inception in 2006. I am a student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and a Board Member of the Siddhartha’s Intent Society, that runs the Deer Park.
Over the last ten years or so, I have been giving teachings, conducting retreats, and running workshops in various centres around the country. Since May 2020, all through the pandemic, and up to the present I have conducted over 150 zoom meetings covering Buddhist teachings, concepts and discussions.
Some Favourite Courses
Well Liked by Students and Organisers
The Study & Practice of The Lotus Sutra
The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important and influential of all the sutras of Mahayana Buddhism, revered by almost all branches of the Mahayana teachings, and over many centuries the object of intense veneration among millions of Buddhist believers throughout China, Korea, Japan, and other regions of eastern Asia.
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The practice in its present form was first initiated by the Japanese sage Nichiren in 13th century Japan, and Nichiren Buddhism is one of the major schools, along with Pure Land and Zen, known as the New Kamakura Buddhism of that period.
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In the last few decades, the practice of the Lotus Sutra through the efforts of the Soka Gakkai International, from Japan, has spread widely across India, and there are now thousands of practitioners, across a number of cities and towns in India.
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The message of the Lotus Sutra is to encourage people’s faith in their own Buddha nature, their own inherent capacity for wisdom, courage, and compassion.
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Understanding The One Buddha Vehicle
“In the past, the Buddha had taught three paths or vehicles… However, those paths were skillful means. In fact, there is only one path, one vehicle: the path to Buddhahood, the buddha vehicle”
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In this workshop, we will attempt to understand how the Mahayana and the earlier Theravada tradition both spring from the Buddha’s single intent. To lead all sentient beings to enlightenment.
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We also look at the Theravada teachings of the “First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”, that is the foundation of all the teachings of the Buddha, and examine how the Mahayana explains all these traditions and the differences between them.
“... the Pure Land of all the Buddhas can arise in our minds from the ashes of life’s most crushing defeats. The Buddha-land is not somewhere over there, beyond death. It is right here.”
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Skillful Means
“The concept of ‘skillful means’ is one of the leading ideas of Mahayana Buddhism and was first used extensively in the Lotus Sutra…In Mahayana Buddhism the various forms of Buddhist teaching and practice are declared to be provisional means, all skillfully set up by the Buddha for the benefit of the unenlightened”.
– Michael Pye. “Skillful Means – A Concept in Mahayana Buddhism”
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We explore how ‘skillful means’ is the key to the understanding of Buddhism in general, through a close examination of the Lotus Sutra.
This course is designed for those who are new to Buddhism, as well as for those who are already familiar with the basics. For the former, there will be sessions covering the main fundamental concepts and ideas, the Four Noble Truths, the Buddhist understanding of mind, and so on, from the viewpoint of skillful means.
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The concept of "Skillful Means" stitches up the seamless robe of the Buddha's 84,000 teachings with one intent - To lead all sentient beings to Buddhahood.
Feedback From My Students
Dominic D'Souza
Ever since I attended Aspi Mistry's session on 'An Introduction to Buddhism' at Fireflies, Bengaluru in January 2020, my life has changed. I was looking for an open-minded, simple interaction on spirituality and I found one in Aspi's lucid introduction to the Buddha and his teachings. What captivated me was his firm grasp of Buddhist teachings and history and more importantly, his interactive style of communicating. Thanks to his initiative … I have persisted in delving into Buddhism in all its facets.
Manisha Sinha
I had an opportunity to experience Aspi's class at Deer Park. Honestly, ... his class surpassed all my expectations. The way he conducted the class was simply to connect and make everyone feel connected with the idea of Buddhism. The flow of honesty, curiosity and acceptance was the highlight of the workshop. To top up the experience, he organised movie sessions along with discussions. I just wish that everyone experiences his class at least once, it’s a promise that you will take back more than you ever imagined. Also can’t say this enough but he is the best teacher I have ever come across! Thanks!
Indrajit Deshmukh
Aspi Mistry is our regular teacher and guide at our "Wisdom Matters" centre in Pune.
He is an exceptional individual who can explain complex Dharma concepts in simple terms - after listening to his teachings you feel you can apply these spiritual concepts in everyday living”
