Studying the Words of the Buddha
Ongoing Classes on the Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikaya)
with Gil Fronsdal and Diana Clark
Intermittent Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. with an optional extended Q&A session 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Pacific time.
First Series: Introduction – August 5, 2021Second Series: Relating to the Teachings – August 19, 26, and September 9Third Series: Faith – Sept 30, Oct 14, Oct 21, Oct 28Fourth Series: The Path – Nov 11, Nov 18, Dec 9, Dec 16Fifth Series: The Buddha – Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 2022Sixth Series: Karma – Feb 24, Mar 10, Mar 17, Mar 31Rebirth – Apr 7, Apr 28, May 5Training and Effort – May 26, Jun 2, Jun 16Ninth theme: Effort and Community – July 14, July 21, July 28 and Aug 4Tenth Theme: Happiness and Sensuality Aug 11, Aug 18, Aug 25, Sept 1Eleventh theme: Mindfulness Oct 13, Oct 20, Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10Twelfth theme: Concentration Jan 12, 19, 26, 2023- Thirteenth theme: Wisdom Mar 9, 16, 23
(You are welcome to register and join the course at any time; attendance at preceding classes is not required).
This ongoing course will provide a progressive and systematic study of the Middle Length Discourses (Majjhima Nikāya), one of the most important collections of the Buddha’s teachings. The series will be organized thematically with 3-4 weeks devoted to discussing discourses related to each theme.
The themes covered will be Relating to the Teachings, Faith, the Path, the Buddha, Karma, Rebirth, Effort and Training, Training in Community, Happiness and Sensuality, Mindfulness, Concentration, Wisdom, Attainments, and Nibbana.
Participants will be expected to have read and reflected on the readings assigned for each class. Study guides will be provided to lay the foundation of informed readings of the texts. The classes will be devoted to both short lectures on the assigned readings and to discussion.
The dates will be intermittent depending on when the instructors are available.
The course is suitable for people who have acquired a good understanding of the basic Buddhist teachings and practices. It is designed for people who have the time and motivation to read the assigned readings before class. You will need to have access to a copy of Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publishing).
Please register here. You will receive an invitation to our Google Classroom that contains the assignments, study guides and links to the Zoom meetings and audio recordings.
Questions? Please email: majjhima@sati.org