BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Planet Dharma - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Planet Dharma X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.planetdharma.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Planet Dharma REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Edmonton BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20150308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20151101T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20160313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20161106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20170312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20171105T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20180311T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20181104T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20190310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20191103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20200308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20201101T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20210314T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20211107T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20220313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20221106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20230312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20231105T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220606 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220704 DTSTAMP:20260618T062027Z CREATED:20220209T002805Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T062027Z UID:10000623-1654473600-1656892799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Zen Sutras in the 21st Century DESCRIPTION:Zen Sutras in the 21st Century\n Online Course| June 6 - July 3\, 2022\n Early Chan (Zen) Buddhism was a Chinese interpretation of the Theravadin Sutras from a millenia prior. This course shares the highlights from key Zen Sutras of Mahayana Buddhism\, and how we might now apply the Zen Sutras in the 21st century\, 2500 years after the time of the historical Buddha. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Zen Sutras – An Online Course\nZen – we love the show – Zen practice and Zen teaching grabs everyone’s attention. But what is often not recognised is that the underpinning of Zen are the Theravadin sutras taught by the Buddha 2500 years ago. Those ancient sutras were reinterpreted for Chinese culture a millenia later and this was the birth of Chan Buddhism\, later Zen Buddhism in Japan. \nSo what is the new interpretation of the Zen sutras today?  How do these 500 BC teachings relate to 21st century life? \nIn this four week online course\, Qapel and Sensei will share the essence of Zen wisdom from a handpicked selection of sutras highly important to the Zen or Chan traditions. These sutras include: \n\nAvataṃsaka Sūtra – Flower Garland or Hua Yan Sutra\nLaṅkāvatāra Sūtra\nVimalakīrti Sūtra\nVajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra – Diamond Sutra\nPrajñāpāramitāhṛdaya – Heart Sutra\nŚūraṅgama Sūtra\nThe Platform Sutra of the 6th Patriarch – Liùzǔ Tánjīng\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Enlighten Up! Zen SutrasJoin the monthly Enlighten Up! on May 15 2022.  It will feature a talk by Qapel on the Zen Sutras as a taster for this comprehensive course.\n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How Zen Masters Teach\nVideo: Four Steps to Liberation\nWhat is the essence of Zen Teaching? \nQapel (Doug Duncan) explains the four-step process that a Zen master employs spontaneously with their students to help them break free of conditioned thinking.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nJUNE 6-27\, 2022\n \n \n \n \n \n Zen Course Class Dates\, 7:30pm MST:\n\nMonday June 6th\nMonday June 13th\nMonday June 20th\nMonday June 27th\n\nTo deepen and integrate your experience\, we are also offering three optional weekly Master Classes (Sundays June 12\, 19\, 26) during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat July 1-3. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Studying Zen\, Experiencing Zen\nThe Buddha used a simple flower as a teaching of the profound nature of things as they are: so uncomplicated\, so immediate\, and so very difficult to explain. \nSo\, you might ask\, why bother explaining? Why study this? When instead we could just realize it ourselves\, like Mahākāśyapa? \nWe explain because our conventional minds are clouded by ego clinging. This often manifests as conflicting emotions and prejudicial views\, both considered forms of ignorance or confusion about reality. \nFor centuries Zen masters having been holding up flowers and students have been caught in this confusion\, asking questions like\, “What’s that flower got to do with me? Or awakening?” \nThus\, the famous saying about awakening: “With words it cannot be described\, without words it cannot be expressed.” \nYou’ve probably noted that holding up a flower doesn’t use words. \nWe can see how Zen-style spiritual realization enters the land of paradoxes. Rinzai Zen has made these famous with their ko-an mind-bending teachings. Have you noticed that the ego doesn’t like paradoxes? \nAnd spiritual awakening is the ultimate paradox\, described this way: \n“You can see it\, \nBut it is not there!”\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. June 12\nSun. June 19\nSun. June 26\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates.\n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n July 1-3\, 2022\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, July 3. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home.\n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on July 1-3 \, 2022. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nThis course is offered based on the unique combination of 1) dāna  and 2) a $100 USD administrative fee. Click on the tabs below to learn more:\n \n \n \n \n \n \n About DānaAbout the Online Admin Fee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nWe're delighted to share that we created a short online course so that you can learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n In a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80 Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n--- \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n My teenage son actually read it. First spiritual book he’s ever touched. That alone is a miracle. \nDavid L.Parent & Dharma PractitionerFinally\, a spiritual teaching that doesn’t require me to pretend I’m not fascinated by aliens and cosmic consciousness. \nRachel T.Sci-Fi AuthorThe Victory Protocols aren’t just in the book—they start working on you as you read. I found myself spontaneously applying them to my life before I even finished. \nJames K.Former Buddhist MonkI thought I was reading a fun adventure story. Turns out I was getting the spiritual education I’d been seeking for decades. Sneaky brilliant. \nSarah M.Meditation TeacherCatherine Sensei’s intuitive wisdom on how you can use your astrology chart to grow the wholesome and let go of the unwholesome is skillful\, compassionate and loving. She is the real deal. She has worked and trained closely as an apprentice to Qapel Doug Duncan. As a result\, she has learned to help beings to let go of what is not working and embrace more sustainable behaviours using the combination of astrology and dharma. \nKaren McallisterThe Mindful Money Coach \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Save the Dates in your Digital Calendar Now\nDownload the course dates to your iCal or Google calendars. If download doesn’t commence\, right click on the button and select ‘save link as’.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + iCal Export (Online Course)\n \n + iCal Export (Master Classes)\n \n + iCal Export (Flash Retreat)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + Google Calendar (Online Course)\n \n + Google Calendar (Master Classes)\n \n + Google Calendar (Flash Retreat) URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/zen-sutras-21-century/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Zen-7-copy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20220515T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20220515T160000 DTSTAMP:20260515T112327Z CREATED:20211230T213935Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T112327Z UID:10000618-1652626800-1652630400@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Zen Sutras in the 21st Century: Enlighten-Up! DESCRIPTION:Enlighten-Up!\n \n Topic: Zen Sutras in the 21st Century \nEnlighten-Up! are uncompromising\, unflinching and kick-ass dharma classes.  Vajrayana Teachers Qapel and Sensei present a new topic each month.  Join online from anywhere in the world.   \n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This month’s topic: \nZen Sutras in the 21st Century\nWhile Zen is often considered non-intellectual\, Zen teachings were highly influenced by classical texts from Mahayana Zen canon. Four of the most profound and influential Zen Sutras include the Lankavatara Sutra\, the Vimalakirti Sutra\, the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Lotus Sutra.  Learn more about these\, and what they mean for you today\, at this Enlighten-Up! with Qapel and Sensei. \n \n \n \n \n \n Why Enlighten-Up!?\nDharma Talks for 21st Century Life\nThe word ‘Dharma’ has many meanings\, one being the ultimate truths of reality\, and the universal laws of awakening.  That’s lovely\, but how do you bring these ancient perspectives into 21st century life?   \nThese monthly(ish) classes are a way to bring kick-ass\, applicable dharma into your life.  Tune in to higher truths\, with real-life Dharma teachers from wherever you might be in the world. \nThe topic of the classes will change each month.  They will be thought provoking\, inspiring and designed to ‘enlighten-up’ your world.  In a world that has a tendency to ‘dumb down’ the complexities of wisdom\, we promise not to.  \nThere will also be an opportunity to share in small groups and to ask questions at the end of the class. \nVideo recordings are available for those who cannot attend live. \nThese Enlighten-Up classes are open to all experience levels. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThese sessions are offered based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna. \nRegistration\nTo attend\, you must register via the button below. These dharma classes are typically held once a month\, with the exception of when the Teachers are travelling or teaching another course.   \nWe recommend you attend live\, but if you cannot\, the video recording will be available for one week after the live session.  The live session includes time for a short sharing/ community discussion and Q&A. \n \n Registration \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n My teenage son actually read it. First spiritual book he’s ever touched. That alone is a miracle. \nDavid L.Parent & Dharma PractitionerFinally\, a spiritual teaching that doesn’t require me to pretend I’m not fascinated by aliens and cosmic consciousness. \nRachel T.Sci-Fi AuthorThe Victory Protocols aren’t just in the book—they start working on you as you read. I found myself spontaneously applying them to my life before I even finished. \nJames K.Former Buddhist MonkI thought I was reading a fun adventure story. Turns out I was getting the spiritual education I’d been seeking for decades. Sneaky brilliant. \nSarah M.Meditation TeacherCatherine Sensei’s intuitive wisdom on how you can use your astrology chart to grow the wholesome and let go of the unwholesome is skillful\, compassionate and loving. She is the real deal. She has worked and trained closely as an apprentice to Qapel Doug Duncan. As a result\, she has learned to help beings to let go of what is not working and embrace more sustainable behaviours using the combination of astrology and dharma. \nKaren McallisterThe Mindful Money Coach URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/may-15-enlighten-up-wisdom-of-the-zen-sutras/ CATEGORIES:Public Classes,Public Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/enlighten-up-ver.1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160425 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160524 DTSTAMP:20230214T193100Z CREATED:20160106T003925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230214T193100Z UID:10000508-1461542400-1464047999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Mahayana Sutras: Webinar Series DESCRIPTION:Join Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat for this second of four enlightening webinar series on fundamental teachings of buddhadharma and awakening throughout 2016.  This series is on the Mahayana Sutras and is streamed in four classes over four weeks.  These webinars are open to all.  For participants of the 2016 Year of Awakening program\, these webinars are also part of of the program’s curriculum. \n© Catherine Pawasarat \nIn the second quarter of 2016 (25 Apr – 22 May) we will examine some Mahayana sutras\, teachings that\, it’s said\, were received as termas centuries after the Buddha’s death. \nMahayana teachings build on the Theravadin “teachings of the elders\,” from a foundation of an individual’s awakening experience towards using that awakening to benefit all beings. Generally speaking Mahayana sutras are considerably longer and more complex than Hinyana suttas. Over these four webinars we’ll study two major\, classic sutras\, in order to get a feeling for  this later development of Buddhist philosophy and its salient features. Please see the details on specific sutras in the schedule below. \n© Catherine Pawasarat \nSome sources say that Mahayana sutras are teachings by the Buddha that were too advanced to be understood contemporaneously. Consequently they were hidden during his lifetime and revealed centuries later as termas. \nMahayana Buddhism exists primarily in China\, Korea and Japan. Since Doug Duncan lived in Japan for more than 10 years\, and Catherine for more than 20\, our teachings have been deeply influenced by Japanese culture\, and by extension\, Japan’s Mahayana Buddhism. \nLater in the year we’ll study the four levels of Vajrayana tantra and spiritual teachings from Western traditions. \nWe 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. \nPlease note that one of the benefits of the Year of Awakening program is priority for webinar participation. \n\nWebinar Details:\n\nSchedule: Mondays 7:30pm\, Mountain Standard Time (MST) – Apr 25\, May 2\, 9\, and 16 (see below for details).  Pre-reading begins Apr 18. There will be reading between each subsequent class.\n\n\nThe 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.\n\n\nClick on the “Register Now” buttons below to attend the webinars. By registering for the first webinar\, you will also receive registration links for the subsequent three webinars.\n\n\nHomework for anyone attending teachings: read the sutta before the class\, and look up any terminology unfamiliar to you.\n\n\nPlease note that Office Hours (Saturdays 3-4pm MST) noted below are for the Year of Awakening program participants only.\n\n\nIf you’re not a Year of Awakening program participant\, we encourage you to join us for PlanetDharma’s regular semi-monthly Office Hours\, 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.\n\n\nDāna\nThese webinars are offered by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat on the basis of dāna\, or generosity practice.  There will be an opportunity for you to give dāna when you register\, below. Learn more about dāna. \n  \n  \nTranslation Details:\nIn these four webinars we will study the Diamond Sūtra\, and the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra. \nFor the Diamond Sutra\, we highly recommend Namgyal Rinpoche’s book Suchness – The Diamond State Of Realization available from Bodhi Publishing.  The same translation of the Sutra is also available in the book The Diamond Sutra and The Sutra of Hui-Neng\, translated by A.F. Price and Wong Mou-lam\, published by Shambhala Classics. Both books contain the version of the Diamond Sutra that Doug Sensei studied with Namgyal Rinpoche\, and is available as a Kindle e-book\, paperback or hardcover. \nFor the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra we recommend either or both these books: The Holy Teaching of Vimlakirti by Robert Thurman and/or the Vimlakirti Sutra by Burton Watson. \nPlease procure your copies well in advance\, as shipping may take some time. \nOther versions are available\, and please note that the translations vary widely. \n  \n\nSchedule: April 25 – May 16\n\nMon.\, Apr. 25: Mahayana Sutras Part One: The Diamond Sutra\n\nThis is the first webinar in this series on the Mahayana sutras\, mystical texts that were revealed in the Common Era. Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the Diamond Sutra\, a small book\, and also the very essence or core of the Maha-Prajnaparamita (Greater Perfection of Wisdom) of which it’s a part. The latter’s many volumes form the largest part of the scriptural canon of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. \nThe Diamond Sutra is written in the form of a dialogue about the bodhisattva path and enlightenment between the Buddha to Subhuti\, one of his senior students. It heavily influenced Chinese Chan and Japanese Zen schools of Buddhism. \nIts theme is the diamond state of realization. The diamond or thunderbolt cuts through delusional states of mind to reveal wisdom and ultimate truth. The sutra sheds light on major themes such as non-attachment\, non-self and emptiness. \n“Whosoever can receive and retain this teaching\, study it\, recite it and spread it abroad will be clearly perceived and recognized by the Tathagata and will achieve a perfection of merit beyond measurement \nImage: Vimalakirti\, by Hakuin Ekaku\, ink on paper\, 127 x 69.3 cm. Minneapolis Museum of Art \nor calculation – a perfection of merit unlimited and inconceivable.” – The Buddha (The Diamond Sutra\, Section XV\, The Incomparable Value of This Teaching)\nHow is that for motivation? \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the “Register Now” button below: \nPre-Reading assignment: Mon.\, Apr. 17 – Sun.\, Apr. 24: Read the first half of The Diamond Sutra. There will be reading between each subsequent class. \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, Apr. 30. This is a time for questions on the Diamond Sutra and related teachings.] \nMon\, May 2: Mahayana Sutras Part Two: The Diamond Sutra\n \nWe continue our study of the illusory nature of self\, the pursuit of non-attachment and emptiness as ultimate reality with the Diamond Sutra. \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the button below: \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 7\, and for other participants on Sun.\, May 8. This is a time for questions the Diamond Sutra and related teachings.] \n \nMon\, May 9: Mahayana Sutras Part Three: Vimlakirti-Nirdesa Sutra\n\nNext we’ll study the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa sutra. Dating to the 1st century AD\, the Vimalakirti Sutra presented radical notions that must have rocked the Buddhist world\, such as the possibility of awakening for all beings\, including the non-elite and women. It was written in the vernacular (vs. academic) language\, and so directed towards the average person\, another startling concept for the time. With the wealthy layman Vimalakirti\, miraculous feats illustrated profound Buddhist teachings\, all directed towards teaching about the ultimate nature of emptiness. \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the “Register Now” button below: \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 13\, This is a time for questions on the relevant sutra and related teachings.] \nMon\, May 16: Mahayana Sutras Part Four: Vimlakirti-Nirdesa\nWhat qualities and teachings in the the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa sutra put it in a different category from the Theravadin suttas? Why did Vimalakirti value the bodhisattva path above that of arahatship? What’s non-duality and why do we care? We continue our learning\, streamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required.\n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 21\, and for other participants on Sun.\, May 22\, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time. (click for time zone converter) This is a time for questions on the relevant sutra and related teachings.] \n  \n\n__________________________________________________________________________________ \nThe other segments being taught by Doug & Catherine in 2016 are: \n\nFebruary/March:  Theravadin Suttas\nJune/July: Teachings on tantra\nOctober: Western Mysteries: Womb\, Karma & Transcendence.\n\nClick here to join the PlanetDharma email list and stay informed via your email inbox. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/mahayana-series/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mahayana-Sutta-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR