This course is
perfect for the beginner and advanced student. Also, it is a wonderful foundation for our 6 month Discovering Buddhism Course
101, starting in every January.
Book Selection
Oct. River of Fire, River of Water by Taitetsu Unno
Nov. River of Fire, River of Water by Taitetsu Unno (2nd half of book)
Dec. Dharma Breeze: essays on Shin Buddhism by Nobuo Haneda
Dates of Workshops
Oct. 26
Nov. 23
Dec. 14
The Course
Education: Participants must read all of the required books and are expected to do
all homework assignments which cover theory, history and daily practice.
Practice: Buddhism should not be approached
just on an intellectual basis but must be applied in daily life, which, through committed and diligent practice, will transform
the mind and heart. To get most out of the course, participants should try to
practice deep hearing (monpo), voicing the nembutsu, sitting or walking meditation
and attend sangha gatherings to hear the dharma on a regular basis.
Commitment: All participants are required to have a 75% Sunday morning attendance
record for the duration of the course. All participants are allowed just one
absence from a class but homework must be delivered via e-mail or post mail before the missed class. Attendance will be taken.
Discipline: All homework must be completed and handed in at the time of the class.
Donation: $95 for non-members and $76 for
members and the first book is included as a gift (a $19 value).
Time &
Place: The course will meet once a month, on a Sunday
afternoon, after regular sangha gathering in Middletown, from 12:45 p.m. to approx. 3 p.m. Classes will
be 3 hours each.
What Will Be Studied?
Some of the topics to be learned include the following:
- Shinran Shonin and the Spirit of Buddhism
- The Revolutionary Character of the Pure Land teaching
- Enlightenment and Spiritual Liberation
- Nembutsu: the Name-that-calls
- Amida Buddha and the Primal Vow
- The Spiritual Quest
- Our True and Real Life
- When a Person Dies
- Interdependence and Non-duality
- The Pure Land
- Hell
- Attainment without a Guru
- Non-violence and Peace
- Faith, Joy and Gratitude
- Buddha–nature
- How to Live the Nembutsu
Way
- True Happiness
- Everyday Practice
Transformation can only happen through dedication.