Welcome! Here is our syllabus.

The material is free-flowing. Anyone with information should contact the teacher or share it in the forum. Still, here is the backbone or skeleton, if you will, of what we will be learning:

1. The Essence of Buddhism: Basic philosophy. Karma, 4 Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path, reincarnation and enlightenment.
2. Culture and Context: Understanding the culture of the time/place of Buddha. Excerpts from Karen Armstrong's book, "Buddha."
3. The main schools overview: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana
4. Meditation: Basic forms, Zen meditation, Dzogchen Meditation. Essentially all 3 schools and their contemplative practices.
5. Science of Buddhism: Meditation and brain waves, Buddhism and psychology.
6. Modern Buddhism: Teachers, writers, and new movements. Genpo Roshi's Big Mind, which combines psychology techniques with meditation. Buddhism in our culture. "Engaged" Buddhism. A modern Bodhisattva vow. Integral Buddhism.
7. Crossing Practices: Seeing similarities and differences between Buddhism and other religions. Father Thomas Keating implementing silent prayer, 'emptying mind.'

Material for the course will be primarily the internet. PDF files, articles, stories and scriptural databases will be used. Literature, such as "The Buddhist Bible," and Buddhist Scriptures (Penguin Book) will be used. Ken Wilber's writings on Vajryana, his book "One Taste" on meditation and enlightenment, etc will be used. Thich Naht Hanh, Genpo Roshi, Suzuki, Wei Wu Wei, etc. There is so much data here.

Also, in depth discussion and information on Vajryana practice - Tantric Buddhism, will have a special section. This will detail the practice of Vajryana and teach those who are interested in it the fundamentals.

Dzogchen meditation, as understood by Lama Surya Das, can be offered. His book "Natural Radiance" offers many techniques and a history of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly Dzogchen, and this will be provided for the class.

Work? Material? There will be little material. If you're taking this class, and it interests you - that will be enough. The class is encouraged to read, share and write. Open discussion and dialogue is welcome! One idea is to have a number of different projects that we work on together, all voluntary. These projects would be meaningful, for example: What would a good meditative practice look like for you? This way we can learn from each other. Questions will be posed, such as: What the pros and cons of, say, Theravada practice? Seeing unifying themes, exploring them and contributing to the class in an open, learning dialogue is enough. Not much is asked as far as conditioning material. The language and philosophy will naturally develop as we discuss it and share knowledge, wisdom and practice with one another.

 

Hello I have been very much enjoying
your class. In your syllabus you mention
things that haven't been posted yet.
I look forward to them eagerly and hope
you are well.
bb
Delfynasa

 

thanks for this great class

 

thanks for this class! the art of letting go is beautiful, and so rarely taught in the US.