Core Teachings of the Early Texts

An Introduction

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.

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 September 8th Bhavana Community Calendar for exact dates of each program.

Syllabus for Buddhism and Bhavana: Core Teachings

September 8: Where do I Start? The Buddha and the teachings, Diversity in the tradition

September 15: Memorizing the Overview, Why

September 22: Three characteristics: dukkha, anicca, anatta

September 29: Four Truths/Insights and Right View

October 6: Eight Fold Path: Restrictive Ethics

October 13: Eight Fold Path: Aspirational Ethics

October 20: Eight Fold Path: Practice – Effort

October 27: Eight Fold Path: Practice - Mindfulness

November 3: Eight Fold Path: Practice – Calm Abiding and jhanas

November 10: Four Foundations – Breath and Body

November 17: Four Foundations – Hedonic Tone, Emotions, Thoughts

November 24: Four Foundations - Dhammas

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