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Study of the Buddha’s teachings is an essential part of Buddhist practice, and the aim of this course is to acquaint students with some of the key texts of early Indian Buddhism. It is suitable for students of all traditions and focuses on the core teachings held in common by all Buddhist schools. The course will illustrate how a deeper knowledge of the scriptures can illuminate practice
The texts will be drawn from the Majjhima Nikaya and Samyutta Nikaya and will briefly highlight the early teachings from which the Mahayana evolved.
Beginning with the “Noble Search” described in the Ariyapariyesana Sutta , we study the Buddha’s search for enlightenment as a guide to our own journey on the path, and his first sermon when he set out the basic principles of the Way.
Topics covered in subsequent talks will cover texts such as the Fire Sermon and the Four Foundations of Awareness which provide the cornerstone for a practice in daily life.
In the last two talks we introduce selected dialogues from The Questions of King Milinda, which explore common misunderstandings of doctrine.
Teachers Ven. Myokun and Garry Gelade
Next Course starts: 12th May 2015. This course is held once a year.
All members of the Society wishing to attend should register in advance with the Librarian. Participants should have some familiarity with basic Buddhist Teachings as covered in the Introduction to Buddhism course. A minimum of ten participants is required to run the course, and attendance will be limited to twenty.
Recommended reading: “In the Buddha’s Words” by Bhikkhu Bodhi, 2005. ISBN 0-86171-491-1