Course Description:
The final months of the Buddha’s ministry, and his death, are recounted in a rich and multilayered text of the Dīgha Nikāya called the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16). In this sutta, the Buddha is revealed as both a fragile elderly man and a powerful spiritual teacher who spends every last ounce of his energy conveying the way to liberation.
Please join us as we explore the story of the Buddha’s last days. Knowing that he would soon be separated from his followers, what did the Buddha emphasize? How did the sangha of his followers handle the departure of their teacher? And how might this support our own practice? The class will include dharmettes, guided meditations and small group discussions.
Please register here (https://forms.gle/19gr4hXn6QsDYJvP9) to receive the Zoom link and readings. We will be sending some passages from the sutta to read before the first class.
Course Material:
Although we will not be covering the entire sutta in this class, you may wish to read the full text on your own. Here are two versions of the sutta online:
- Bhikkhu Sujato translation
- Bhikkhu Anandajoti translation
- You may also wish to read the translation by Maurice Walshe published by WisdomPublications: The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya
Time:
Jan 30, Feb 2, 4, 6, 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.