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The Theravadin Suttas: Webinar Series
February 22, 2016 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm MST
Join Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat throughout 2016 for four enlightening webinar series on fundamental teachings of buddhadharma and awakening. These webinars are open to all.
In the first quarter of 2016 (Feb 22 – March 26, 2016) we will examine some classic Theravada suttas, teachings by the Buddha that have been recited and passed down orally by traditional Buddhist practitioners since the Buddha’s lifetime. These are taken from the Majjhima Nikaya or Middle-Length Sayings, also known as the Middle-Length Discourses, teachings given by the Buddha. Subsequent webinars in 2016 include the Mahayana sutras in April/May, teachings on tantra in June/July, and on Western mysteries in October. For participants of the 2016 Year of Awakening program, these webinars are also part of of the program’s curriculum.
© Daniella Hartmann (flickr)
Theravada (a.k.a. Hinayana) teachings are considered the teachings of the elders. Our purpose is to familiarize ourselves with a sampling of these fundamental discourses, to learn about the unique offerings of the Theravadin tradition.
More to the point, we’ll get a better sense of how these teachings have shaped our lineage’s diverse path. Our Canadian-born teacher, Namgyal Rinpoche, first trained as a Theravadan monk, ordained Ananda Bodhi. He was trained for seven years by the Burmese insight master U Thila Wunta Sayadaw at his monastery in Yangon. Through this line our lineage can be traced from student to teacher, back to the Buddha.
Later in the year we’ll study Mahayana sutras, Vajrayana tantras, and spiritual teachings from Western traditions. Please see the Year of Awakening program webpage for an overview and schedule.
We are pleased to share these teachings with all who are interested, particularly in the context of this methodical approach to the different Buddhist vehicles and Western teachings that comprise our Path.
Please note that one of the benefits of the Year of Awakening program is priority for webinar participation.
Webinar Details:
- This online course consists of four webinars, presenting the suttas as a single body of work.
- Schedule: Mondays 7:30pm, Mountain Standard Time (MST)- Feb 29, March 7, 14 and 21 (see below for details). Pre-reading begins Feb 22. There will be reading between each subsequent class.
- The webinar teachings are recorded, and available for one week after the live session. These classes are open and recordings are also available to all registrants for the one week after the live webinar.
- Advance registration is required: Click on the “Register Now” button below to sign up.
- The US$50 course fee covers all four webinars, and payment is due upon registration. Dāna practice is separate (please see details in the following section on dāna). Registration closes on February 29th at 7pm MT.
- Homework for anyone attending teachings: read the sutta before the class, and look up any terminology unfamiliar to you.
- Please note that Office Hours on Saturdays 3-4pm MT, as noted below are for the Year of Awakening program participants only.
- If you’re not a Year of Awakening program participant, we encourage you to join us for Planet Dharma’s regular semi-monthly Office Hours on Sundays 3-4pm MT, with questions about the suttas and/or your daily practice. It’s also an opportunity to connect with the teachers, the community of practice (sangha), and the awakening mindstream. The Office Hours are truly a precious opportunity to solidify and deepen our understanding and practice of awakening in daily life.
Dāna
These webinars are offered by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat on the basis of dāna, or generosity practice. Our ability to live a life full of generosity in all its myriad manifestations is a profound practice, and central to our spiritual unfoldment. There will be an opportunity for you to give dāna when you register, below. Learn more about dāna.
Translation Details:
We’ll be using the translation by I.B. Horner, published by the Pali Text Society, only available in hardcover editions (not available in an e-version nor as paperback).
Please procure your copy well in advance, as shipping may take some time.
- A collection of all three volumes can be purchased via Amazon.
- Suttas 1, 2 & 4 are in Volume 1, available via Amazon in North America, or from the Pali Text Society in the UK.
- Sutta #137 is in Volume 3, also available from Amazon in North America and at the same link from the Pali Text Society in the UK.
Other versions are available, and please note that the translations vary widely. Please see a sample of the Horner translation below for comparison if you’re considering a different translation, so you can understand how different they may be and make an informed decision.
Schedule: Feb 29-Mar 21
Mon., Feb. 29: Theravada Suttas Part One: Synopsis of Fundamentals
This is the first webinar in this series on the Theravada suttas, 2500 year old jewels of wisdom attributed to the historical Buddha. Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the first sutta in the key Theravada Buddhist text, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings). This specific sutta #1, is called the Discourse on the Synopsis of Fundamentals. It focuses on how you can recognize appearances and phenomena as they really are. Streamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration is required. Please use the button below to sign up:
Pre-Reading assignment: Mon., Feb. 22 – Sun., Feb. 28: Read assigned sutta this week: #1, Discourse on the Synopsis of Fundamentals. There will be reading between each subsequent class.
Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat., Mar. 5, and for other participants on Sun., Mar 6, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter). This is a time for questions on sutta #1 and related teachings.
Mon, Mar. 7: Theravada Suttas Part Two: On All the Cankers
Wondering how to wisely attend to the obstructions to freedom in your life? Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the second sutta in the key Theravada Buddhist text, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings). This specific sutta #2, is called the Discourse on All The Cankers. Streamed live at 7:30pm MST.
Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat., Mar. 12, and for other participants on Sun., Mar 20, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter). This is a time for questions on sutta #2 and related teachings.
Mon, Mar. 14: Theravada Suttas Part Three: On Fear and Dread
How might one deal with fear and negative thinking? Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the fourth sutta in the key Theravada Buddhist text, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings). This specific sutta #4, is called the Discourse on Fear and Dread. Streamed live at 7:30pm MST.
Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat., Mar. 19, and for other participants on Sun., Mar 20, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter). This is a time for questions on sutta #4 and related teachings.
Mon, Mar. 21: Theravada Suttas Part Four: The Six Sense Fields
Explore the miracle of the six senses and discern between the struggles or freedom we associated with them. Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of sutta #137 in the key Theravada Buddhist text, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings). This specific sutta #137, is called the Discourse on the Analysis of the Sixfold (Sense-)Field. Streamed live at 7:30pm MST.
Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat., Mar. 26, and other participants are invited to join the next scheduled Office Hours on Sun., April 24th at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter). This is a time for questions on sutta #137 and related teachings.
Sample Excerpt from I.B. Horner Translation
Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings) sutta #1, Discourse on the Synopsis of Fundamentals.
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Plan ahead for the next sequence of webinars in April and May, on Mahayana sutras. After that we’ll progress to teachings on tantra in June/July, and on Western mysteries in October.
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