Events
> Courses

Introducing
Buddhism
The next Course begins on 10 June
2008, 7th October 2008
Tuesdays at 6.30pm
(Open to non-members)

Under the direction of Bryan
Appleyard, assisted by Anil Goonewardene, this introduction consists of
an integrated course of 7 or 8 talks. Newcomers should try to attend throughout
in order to obtain a coherent view of the Buddha’s teachings.
This course is open free to non-members of the Buddhist Society and should
especially appeal to those who are newcomers to the teachings of the Buddha.
However, many experienced Buddhists have found these classes valuable
in refreshing their understanding of the Dharma.
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.
Suggested reading: Living Buddhism by Venerable Myokyo-ni and The Elements
of Buddhism by John Snelling.
The course is available on CD - click below for order form and details:
| pdf file |
Intermediate
Course
The next course will be delivered by Venerable Sochu and it starts
on 12th September 2008
Fridays at 6.30 pm
(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.
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The
Great Way Course
This course is only run once per year and will return in the
Autumn 2008
Friday evenings
6.30 pm - 8.00 pm
(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)
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