Introduction to Buddhism

Tuesdays at 6.30pm

(Open to non-members)

The course consists of an integrated course of seven consecutive talks designed to acquaint the newcomer with the basic fundamentals of Buddhism. Each talk is designed to give an introduction study of the theory and practice of Buddhist teachings. The Buddhist Society considers the Introducing Buddhism course to be of special importance as it forms the foundation for its structured programme. In this context, those who have attended this course are encouraged to continue their studies by attending the Intermediate Course.

Those wishing to attend must do so from the opening talk.

The course is available on CD - click below for order form and details:
| pdf file |

First Steps in Buddhist Practice

An Experiential Six Week Course

This new course has been designed for those who have completed the Introduction to Buddhism Course and would like to try out the practice for the first time.

It offers the opportunity to apply some of the theory learned in the introductory course with others under the guidance of an experienced teacher. The content of the course is based on the practice known as The Four Foundations of Mindful Awareness.

The course is experiential and requires commitment from all participants to undertake the exercises given in class and in daily life for the six week duration. It is also strongly recommended that applicants to this course ensure they can attend all the sessions. Participants will be giving feedback in class on their experiences from this practice.

The course starts on Thursday 23rd September 2010 starting at 6:30pm.
Sessions will last 90 minutes approx.

Membership of the Buddhist Society is required to attend.

Participants must register for the course with the Librarian.
There is a maximum of ten places.

Intermediate Course

Fridays at 6.30 pm

Delivered by Venerable Myokun/Garry Gelade, this series of ten talks covers the fundamentals of Buddhism and follows on from the Introducing Buddhism course.

Next Course starts: 17th September 2010 and will be taken by Venerable Myokun - this course is held twice a year.

(Members only)

The Intermediate Class covers the basic Teachings of the Buddha in detail. These Teachings were common to the early Indian schools and therefore formed the foundations for all later developments of Buddhism. The Class is designed to follow the Introducing Buddhism Course, going deeper into the fundamentals of Buddhism. There are ten weekly talks in term time and the class is run three times a year.

This course should be of interest and help to those of all traditions in deepening their practice and understanding of the Buddha's Teachings. It is expected that participants will have prior familiarity with the Buddha's Teachings as is covered in the Introducing Buddhism Course.

The Intermediate Class was conceived and presented for many years by Mr Eric Cheetham whose series of books The Fundamentals of Mainstream Buddhism is recommended reading.  The course is under the direction of Venerable Sochu, assisted by Garry Gelade.

(Members only)

Buddhism is now very popular here in the West and there are many people following various schools of teaching, each with its own approach and style. But however different these schools may appear, they all remain firmly rooted in the original teachings of the Buddha. And just as the roots of a tree nourish and sustain its growth and development, so too these teachings enliven and deepen the walking of the Buddha's Way, regardless of the particular school we adhere to.

Along this Way, practice and study need to balance and support each other at every step. And now, thanks to the work of Eric Cheetham, we have the opportunity to study these Teachings in a systematic and structured way. The Great Way Course follows on from the Introducing Buddhism class and the Intermediate Course and takes a detailed look at the early Indian schools that gave rise to the Mahayana teachings.

Topics covered include the main developments based on the Prajñaparamita texts: Samsara, Nirvana, the nature of the dharmas, the Twelve-Linked Chain of Dependent Origination, Sunyata, Bodhicitta and the Bodhisattva Path; the work of Nagarjuna and the Madhyamaka school; and the development of the Yogacara school with Asanga and Vasubandhu. Finally there are glimpses of the historical developments of these early Mahayana schools as they spread through Kashmir into China, Tibet, Korea and Japan.

Far from being purely academic, the Great Way Course is presented in a lively and informative way that makes it relevant and worthwhile to followers of all the schools. The course is delivered by Judith Clark.

Correspondence Course

UK £25 - Europe £30 - Outside Europe (Airmail only) £35

The Buddhist Society's Correspondence Course is a series of twelve lessons covering the fundamental principles of Buddhism, its historical and geographical development and the characteristics of the major schools.

There is no set course work as such but students are encouraged to write to their allotted tutor with any questions that may arise or to discuss the course material in general. The course is designed to stimulate the practice of Buddhism in daily life, then to introduce basic meditation.

It is a basic and practical course, especially suitable for those who live far from London or from other Buddhist Centres and are thus unable to attend regular classes.

Course Content

• Course synopsis
• Preface
• Glossary
  

Lesson 1
What is Buddhism?:

• A Religion and a Way of Life
• Basic Principle
• A Practical Discipline
• Buddhism Morality and God
• A Tolerant Religion
• Conclusion

Lesson 2
A Brief History of Buddhism:

• The Life of Siddhartha Gautama
• The Effect of Language on the Development of Buddhism in Different Countries
• The Two Main Divisions of Buddhism
• The Spread of Buddhism in the East
• Buddhism in the West
• The Languages of Buddhism
• Practical Work

Lesson 3
The Three Signs of Being:

• Impermanence
• Unsatisfactoriness
• Insubstantiality
• The Five Aggregates
• The Three Fires
• Nirvana
• The Unborn
• Anatta and Rebirth
• Practical Work

Lesson 4
The Four Noble Truths:

• The Truth of Dukkha
• The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha
• The Truth of the Extinction of Dukkha
• The Truth of the Way that leads to the Extinction of Dukkha
• Practical Work

Lesson 5
The Noble Eightfold Path:

• The Fetters
• Right Understanding (Seeing)
• Right Thought (Motives)
• Right Speach
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness (Awareness)
• Right Concentration (Absorbtion)
• Practical Work

Lesson 6
Karma and Rebirth:

• Life to Life Rebirth
• Moment to Moment
• The Twelve Links of the Chain of Dependent Origination
• Practical Work

Lesson 7
The Theory of Meditation:

• The Purpose and Nature of Meditation
• Spurious Claims for Meditation
• Hindrances to Meditation
• Six Types of Character
• The Requirements of Meditation
• The Five Guiding Faculties
• Practical Work

Lesson 8
Some Mahayana Principles:

• The Origin of Mahayana
• The Practice of the Six Perfections
• The Arahat and the Bodhisattva
• The Buddha
• Emptiness
• Literature
• Practical Work

Lesson 9
Some Mahayana Schools:

• In China, The T'ien-tai School, The Mantra school, The Flower Garland School, The Ch'an School and The Pure Land School
• The History of Tibetan Buddhism
• Tantric Practice
• A Brief Outline Buddhism in Japan

Lesson 10
The Practice of Meditation:

• Sila or Moral Discipline
• Restraint
• Sitting Meditiation
• A Regular Practice
• Posture
• Types of Meditation, Anapanasati and Vipassana
• Conclusion

Lesson 11
Buddhism in Daily Life:

• Theory and Practice
• Following the Path Right
• Mindfulness and Right Effort
• Daily Life Practice
• Establishing a Daily Routine
• The Three Refuges
• The Five Precepts
• Conclusion

Lesson 12
Buddhism Comes to the West:

• The Introduction of Buddhism to the West
• Further Developments in Britain
• Some Conclusions
• What of the Future
• A Brief Reading List

Application Form for the Correspondence Course (pdf file)