Buddha's Psychology
An Ongoing Introductory Course
Want to learn more about Buddha's Template for Human Flourishing?
In 2017, I developed a course for OLLI at UNC-W to introduce Buddha’s Psychology in an easily accessible format. Now, after continued study and practice I’m offering an expanded version to a wider audience through the Bhavana Community. Please consider signing up for the certificate version ($18 per module) or simply dropping in for topics that interest you. Each module is $18.00 which covers only administrative costs. If you enjoy the class and feel you have benefitted, donations are always appreciated.
Each class will offer a period of meditation, both sitting and walking, as well as a short talk on the scheduled topic. There will be an optional period of discussion at the end of the presentation. For students who have registered to receive a Certificate of Attendance, you must attend at least 5 of the 6 sessions in each module and complete assigned homework, readings and exercises.
Although all yoga classes are $10.00, all our dhamma classes at the Bhavana Community are donation based so that anyone who is interested in learning can take classes regardless of income. If you have the means and enjoy our classes, please consider donating to support those on limited incomes.
Schedule
Join us at the Community Center beginning February 5th from 5-6:30pm. We will gather on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month. See the Bhavana Community Calendar for exact dates of each program.
Module 1 (February, March & April):
Wisdom Trainings - Historical traditions and core teachings
Module 2 (May, June & July):
Cultivating Self Care - Appropriate effort, mindfulness and samadhi
Module 3 (August, September & October): Cultivating Care for Others - The Brahma Viharas and Sila, Ethical concerns.
Full Schedule
Additional Information
Module I: Historical Traditions and Core Teachings
2/5: Religion, Philosophy, Psychology?
Problems with words, The problem of ‘isms’
How we know what we know. Early Textual Traditions and later ones.
2/19: The Four Truths, Tasks, or Insights?
Eight-Fold Path vs three-fold training.
How we learn: Insights vs Trial and Error
3/5: The spread of the teachings to Asia: Why all the lists? Reasons and consequences of the oral tradition. Theravada – Schools and Schisms
3/19: Mahayana: China, Korea and Japan
4/2: Mahayana and Vajrayana: Tibet
4/16: The West: Secular Buddhism and the Early Buddhist Texts (EBT)
Module II: Cultivating Self Care
5/7: Appropriate Effort: intensity and direction, wholesome, skillful, and ethical for oneself
5/21: Foundations of Mindfulness: Body and Feeling Tone
6/4: Foundations of Mindfulness: Thoughts and Emotions
6/18: Foundations of Mindfulness: Patterns - Hindrances
7/2: Foundations of Mindfulness: Patterns - Factors of Awakening
7/16: Samadhi Basics, Jhana Practice: Insight and Bliss
Module III: Cultivating Care for Others
8/6: Appropriate Effort: intensity and direction, wholesome, skillful, and ethical for others.
8/20: Intro to Brahma Viharas
9/10: Appropriate Action: Do no harm: Appropriate Speech: True, Useful and Kind
9/17: Appropriate Action: Not taking what is not given
10/1: Appropriate Action: Wise use of sexual energy
10/15: Appropriate Action: Addressing addictions of all sorts
