Our 2 session workshop, Opening
the Heart of the Cosmos: Awaken to your Life’s Purpose is usually scheduled for February. This workshop is geared to enhance your spiritual life through the study of the famous
and influential Lotus Sutra and its related practices, using the easy-to-read commentary
Opening the Heart of the Cosmos by Thich Nhat Hanh.
This workshop will deepen your understanding and practice of Mahayana Buddhism, in which Shin Buddhism is the latest
branch. This workshop is open to basic to advanced seekers, and Buddhists and non-Buddhist alike.
Not Offered This Year
What Will Be Studied?
Using the Lotus Sutra as our guide, students will learn about and practice the following with a focus on Buddhist
spirituality and the Way of the Bodhisattva.
- Historical and Ultimate Dimensions
- Skillful means
- The Buddhist Parables
- Eternal Life
- How to share the dharma with others
- Sangha-building
- Mindfulness Practice
- Self-esteem
- How to Practice Compassion
- Buddha–nature
- Enlightenment and Spiritual Liberation
- The Lives and Practices of the Great Bodhisattvas
- How to live the Bodhisattva Path
The Way of the Bodhisattvas
The study of the Great Bodhisattvas include Sadaparibhuta
(Never-Disparaging), Avalokiteshvara (Sound-Observer) better known as Kuan Yin, Dharanimdhara (Earth Protector), Kshitigarbha (Womb of
the Earth) better known as Jizo, Samantabhadra (Universal Worthy) and Bhaishajyaraja (Medicine King) and more.
In addition, a overview of the essential Bodhisattva practice will be explored. These basic
practices are called the Six Paramitas (Six Perfections), which include Giving, Precepts, Inclusiveness, Diligence, Meditation
and Wisdom.
This two month workshop
is designed to offer participants deep insights into the ultimate dimension, and give plenty of opportunities to learn about
and practice the necessary spiritual tools to help you awaken to the Oneness of reality and discover your life’s purpose.
Education: This course covers the
basic history of the Buddhist tradition, dharmalogy (study of dharma), the Bodhisattva path, the Six Paramitas, the Lotus
Sutra, meditation practice and rich spirituality of the Mahayana. Enrolled students are required to read the entire book Opening the Heart of the Cosmos and are expected to do all homework assignments. The
homework assignment is due on the date of the workshop.
In addition, this is
a wonderful foundation for the New England Institute of Buddhist Studies’ 6 month Discovering Shin Buddhism Course, in October and the Discovering Buddhism Course 101 starting in the following January.
Practice: all meetings will start with
sacred chanting/quiet sitting practice. In addition, during the month preparation for this workshop, the homework will not
only focus on intellectual understanding but will encourage students to practice sitting and/or walking meditation, visualization
practice, the Six Paramitas and emulating at least one of practices of the great Bodhisattvas on a regular basis.
Practice and living the Buddhism is the key for spiritual transformation.
Commitment: All enrolled students should
try have a regular (75%) Sunday morning attendance record at the Buddhist Faith Fellowship from the time they sign up. This commitment to practice is part of the sedimentation process that allows us to
deeply hear the Buddha's call.
Discipline: All homework must be completed
and handed in at the time of the class. First homework assignment is due on the first meeting.
Donation:
$75 and the book Opening the Heart of
the Cosmos is included as a gift (a $25 value). Please make donation checks payable to the BFF. Thanks for helping
to cover our expenses.
Time & Place: This one session
workshop will meet from 12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Middletown.
LOTUS SUTRA: ITS SIGNIFICANCE
This famous Buddhist scripture is said to have been written between 150 B.C.E and 100 C.E in northern India. It records the last significant sermon of the historical
Buddha and is therefore seen as the summit of his teaching. One of the central themes of this sutra is its teaching of the
One Vehicle that unifies the major Buddhist sects, the so- called "Hinayana" and "Mahayana," by teaching that
they are just "skillful means" to lead people of different capacities to the same truth called dharma. What is also important
to note is the sutra's emphasis on faith and devotion and the idea that all beings are already Buddhas in the ultimate
dimension. In chapter two, the Buddha said, "Have no further doubts; rejoice greatly in your hearts, knowing that you will
become Buddhas."
Furthermore, there is a strong egalitarian tendency that levels spiritual hierarchies that is also pro-laity, pro-family
and pro-woman. In addition, the Lotus Sutra
had influenced great religious reform movements in the past such as the formation of Shin, Zen and Nichiren Buddhism. These
reform traditions emphasize the single practice approach that is uniquely suited for anybody regardless of capacity. The single
practice approach of Shin Buddhism centers on the voicing of the Nembutsu-namu-Amida-Butsu, In Zen, the practice focuses on
sitting meditation practice and in Nichiren, the practice is the chanting the daimoku. Of course, there is much more
to the Lotus Sutra than stated above
so we suggest taking our Opening of the Heart
of the Cosmos Workshop to learn more.
