Essential Buddhist Teachings (MC1N24)

Description

Essential Buddhist Teachings is a detailed introduction to the Buddha’s teachings and the practices of Insight Meditation. This course emphasizes the cultivation of mindful awareness and learning how to apply and live these wisdom and heart practices in our daily lives. These are essential teachings for building a baseline understanding of the Buddhist path of practice. 

The course covers the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Four Noble Truths, the four heart practices known as the Divine Abidings, and the Noble Eightfold Path. In each section, there will be guided meditations, lectures, discussions, and prompts for inquiry that can be explored in meditation or journaling. Filmed live at Spirit Rock, Essential Buddhist Teachings brings a beloved Spirit Rock teacher to you wherever you are in an accessible home-study format.

What is Included in the Course

This self-paced on-demand course includes Dharma talks, meditations, Q&A from the original event, and reflective journaling prompts.

Length: ~20 hours

Outline

Section 1: Welcome & Course Logistics
Homepage
Intro & Welcome
Intro to the Pāli Canon

Section 2: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Introduction: What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness of the Body
Practice: Mindfulness of Breathing
Q & A: Mindfulness of the Body & Breathing
Mindfulness of Feeling Tone
Practice: Mindfulness of Feeling Tone
Q & A: Feeling Tone
Inquiry: Mindfulness Out Loud
Mindfulness of Mind
Practice: Mindfulness of Mind
Q & A: Mindfulness of Mind
Mindfulness of Dhammas
Q & A: Mindfulness of Dhammas
Practice: Walking Meditation
Q & A: Walking Meditation

Section 3: Four Noble Truths
Practice: Mindfulness of Breathing
The Four Noble Truths
Q & A: Suffering
The Truth of the Cause of Suffering
Practice: Unsatisfactoriness & Reactivity
Inquiry: Reactivity
Q & A: Unsatisfactoriness & Reactivity
Liberation from Suffering
Q & A: The Cessation of Suffering
The Truth of the Path
Inquiry 3: Path
Q & A: Path

Section 4: The Boundless Heart
Lovingkindness
Practice: Lovingkindness
Q & A: Lovingkindness
Inquiry: Lovingkindness
Compassion
Practice: Compassion
Q & A: Compassion
Inquiry: Compassion
Appreciative Joy
Practice: Appreciative Joy
Inquiry: Appreciative Joy
Q & A: Appreciative Joy
Equanimity
Practice: Equanimity
Q & A: Equanimity

Section 5: The Eightfold Path
Wise View
Practice: Wise View
Q & A: Wise View
Wise Intention
Inquiry: Wise Intention
Q & A: Wise Intention
Practice: Wise Intention
Wise Speech
Inquiry: Wise Speech
Q & A: Wise Speech
Wise Action
Practice: Forgiveness
Q & A: Wise Action
Inquiry: Wise Action
Wise Livelihood
Q & A: Wise Livelihood
Inquiry: Wise Livelihood
Wise Effort
Q & A: Wise Effort
Inquiry: Wise Effort
Wise Mindfulness
Practice: Standing & Walking Meditation
Q & A: Wise Mindfulness
Inquiry: Wise Mindfulness
Practice: Wise Concentration
Wise Concentration
Practice: Wise Concentration & Mindfulness
Inquiry: Wise Concentration
Q & A: Wise Concentration

Pricing

Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports the teachers as well as Spirit Rock, staff, and your fellow practitioners.

Benefactor – $598
Sustainer – $298
Basic – $248
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $188

All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org.

Refund Policy: No refund is available for on-demand courses.