Study and Practice Series: Skillful Use of the Buddha’s Teachings: An Exploration of the Alagaddupama Sutta

Course Description:

Challenged by a follower’s misunderstanding and misapplication of his words, the Buddha provides in the Alagaddupama Sutta a strongly worded and forceful presentation of the core teachings of impermanence and not-self. In advice that continues to be relevant to our practice today, he uses the famous similes of the snake and of the raft to explain how to hold and use the teachings.  

Please join us as we explore this rich sutta, looking more deeply into what the Buddha means when he says: “both formerly and now what I teach is suffering and the cessation of suffering.”  The class will include dharmettes, guided meditations, Q&A, and small group discussion.

Please register here (https://forms.gle/KTeKcENfNAQcGMfU9) to receive the Zoom link and readings. We will be sending some passages to read before the first class.

Course Material:

Here are two versions of the sutta online:

Time:

April 17, 20, 22, and 24, 2021 (Sat-Tues-Thurs-Sat) 8:30-10:00am Pacific

Location: This is an online ZOOM class. Please sign up here to receive a ZOOM link for the class.

Teachers:

Ying Chen, Diana Clark, Kim Allen, and David Lorey

Please email practicecourses.saticenter@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Sati Center for Buddhist Studies Study and Practice Series

The Sati Center for Buddhist Studies’s Study-and-Practice series combines in-depth exploration of the discourses of the Pali canon with ways of applying Buddhist teachings to meditation and daily life. The Study-and-Practice series aims to make the Pali suttas accessible and useful, connect the study of the ancient textual tradition with practice, and cultivate shared enjoyment along the way. (A knowledge of Pali is not required.) The teaching team is Diana Clark, Kim Allen, Ying Chen, and David Lorey.

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