Book Selection
Oct. Buddhism of the Heart by Jeff Wilson
Nov. Finding Your True Home by T. Nhat Hanh
Dec. The Essential Shinran by Alfred Bloom
The Course
Prerequisite: 201, Discovering Shin Buddhism
or 101 & Shin Buddhism combination.
Education: Participants must read all of
the required books and are expected to do all homework assignments. Homework
is sent via e-mal and the 1st assignment is due on the 1st class.
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, 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 from Oct. 18 to December 13, 2009. All
participants are allowed just one absence from a class but homework must be delivered via e-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
BFF members. The first book is included as a gift (a $17 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 2 - 3 hours each.
Dates of Classes: 10/18, 11/22, 12/13
What Will Be Studied?
Some of the topics to be learned include the following:
- Inter-togetherness and Co-living
- Smaller Sutra of Immeasurable Life
- The Pure Land & its Characteristics
- How to live with Peace and Understanding
- The Original Writing of Shinran Shonin
- Enlightenment and Spiritual Liberation
- Nembutsu Way and the Present Moment
- Amida Buddha and the Primal Vow
- How to Live the Nembutsu Way
- Everyday Practice for the 21st Century
