Buddhist Basics, Putting It All Together
The 4 Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, The 6 Perfections, the Pratimoksha and Bodhisattva Vows and the need to integrate compassion and wisdom will be discussed. Concepts of Samsara, Nirvana, Karma, Grasping/Craving and Afflictive emotions will be explained. A Tibetan Buddhist process (Lam Rim) to enlightenment will be used as a text. The four classes in this series allow the student to try out the three pillars of Buddhist practice, Ethics, Wisdom and Renunciation. Brief instruction/review of shamatha and vipassana meditation, equanimity meditation, antidotes to affliction/analytical meditation and study of texts cover broad areas of practice common to all Buddhist pathways. Psychological methods assist Western thinkers in understanding practical methods designed within our own culture to manage relationships, difficult conversations, change, suffering and loss and understanding how our mind works. The combination of these practices is likely to provide the participant with an introduction to a complete way of working with self to master situations internally as well as externally and to lead a more peaceful, productive life as a result.