The Refuge of Dhamma: Exploring the Buddha's Discourses (SF1N24)

Description

The discourses of the Buddha, called suttas, are one of the world’s most majestic collections of spiritual teaching. They record many styles of teaching, from inspiring poetry to psychological guidance, social theory, and philosophical masterpieces that address the deepest human fears, hopes, and potential.

In this course and practice series we dive into the beauty and richness of the Buddha’s teachings, reading texts from the Pāli Canon, the body of ancient texts preserved by Theravāda Buddhist cultures in South and Southeast Asia, in accessible English translations.

You will hear the voice of the Buddha, building his community and laying out a path of practice that leads to liberation from all forms of suffering. You will find advice for the most stubborn challenges in meditation and ordinary life. And you will be invited to realize for yourself the profound liberation he called “the heartwood of the holy life.”

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 – $218
Sustainer – $108
Basic – $98
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $0

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

Intro & Welcome (0:00 – 9:00)
Reading: Overview of the Pāli Canon

Embodiment (Rohitassa Sutta)
Reading: With Rohitassa (AN 4.45, tr. Sujato)
Practice: Embodiment in the Here & Now
Skywalker Rohitassa Learns Embodiment
Meditation: Guided audio session
Inquiry and Further Study: Mindfulness of the Body

Discernment (Kālāma Sutta)
Reading: With the Kālāmas of Kesamutta (AN 3.65, tr. Sujato)
Practice: Lovingkindness Through the Whole Body
Authority and Discernment in the Kālāma Sutta
Meditation: Guided audio session
Inquiry and Further Study: Kamma/Karma

Ethics (The People of Sālā)
Reading: The People of Sālā (MN 41, tr. Sujato)
Practice: Arriving in the Here & Now
The People of Sālā Ask About Rebirth & the Answer is Ethics
Meditation: Guided audio session
Inquiry and Further Study: Rebirth & Ethics

Purification (The Simile of the Cloth)
Reading: The Simile of the Cloth (MN 7, tr. Sujato)
Practice: Finding Well-being Through Practice
Purification Means Letting Go
Meditation: Guided audio session
Inquiry and Further Study: Purification & Liberation

Path (Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma)
Reading: Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma (SN 56.11, tr. Bodhi)
Practice: Setting up the Conditions for Seeing Clearly
The Buddha Turns the Dhamma Wheel
Meditation: Guided audio session
Inquiry and Further Study: The Middle Way

Gotama (The Noble Search)
Reading: MN 26
Practice: Mindfulness of the Body & Breath
A Struggling Young Man Leaves Home
Practice: Celebrating the Buddha’s Awakening
Liberated and Ready to Teach! Maybe…
Meditation: Multiple guided sessions
Inquiry and Further Study: The Life of the Buddha, Dependent Origination

Rejecting Mortification (The Longer Discourse to Saccaka)
Reading: The Longer Discourse With Saccaka (MN 36)
Practice: Grounding Through the Senses
Rejecting Mortification
Meditation: Guided audio session
Inquiry and Further Study: Jainism & Prāṇāyāma

Liberation (The Fruits of the Ascetic Life)
Reading: DN 2
Practice: Grounding Mindfulness in the Full Body
The Haunted King Seeks Peace
Practice: The Heart of Samādhi
Forgiveness is Only the Beginning
Meditation: Multiple guided sessions
Inquiry and Further Study: False Teachers, Renunciation & Samādhi

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