dedicated to a peaceful & just society
grounded in contemplative & spiritual practice
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Midwestern Dhamma dedicated to a peaceful & just society grounded in contemplative & spiritual practice |
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Insight Chicago will host a series of half-day workshops exploring the core teachings of Buddhism. Santikaro will lead these explorations. These will be every other month, beginning January 16th.
There will be fee $10.00 for each session to cover space rental. Dana (donations) to Liberation Park are encouraged in gratitude for the teachings.
The purpose of this series is to provide a working foundation in the central teachings of Buddhism in order to guide the practice of mindfulness and cultivation of the middle way. The workshop format will include a silent sitting, short talks, exercises, and small group work. If there is sufficient interest, we may add silent practice periods in the afternoons of the Saturday sessions (with options for practice interviews with Santikaro). To continue the conversations online ...
The foundation teaching that frames & guides all aspects of practice
Please read The Turning of the Dhamma Wheel Sutta (many translations to choose from)
Also useful: LIMC study series on Practicing with the 4 Noble Truths (MP3)
You might also consider Reading the Suttas according to the Suttas (MP3)
The Buddha's original teachings on "Action" without the later accretions & mystifications
Karma From His Own Lips - translations from the Pali suttas (PDF, updated June 24th)
MN 136 Mahākammavibhanga Sutta (M.ii.207, MDB 1058)
MN 61 Ambalatthikārāhulovāda Sutta (M.i.414, MDB 523)
Satipatthana is the organizing framework for much of meditation practice in early Buddhism, guides our training in mindfulness (sati), and leads to contemplation of these four areas of life: body, feeling, mind, and Dhamma.
Please read a competent translation of one of the main satipatthana suttas: DN 22, MN 10, and MN 118 (Anapanasati-sutta, download pdf).
An excellent, comprehensive exploration of this core teaching is found in Satipatthana by Analayo Bhikkhu, available from Windhorse. This is well worth your time and energy, whenever you are ready to jump in.
Afternoon: following lunch, we will have an optional mindfulness practice session (sitting and walking) from 2-4:30pm. There will be opportunities for teacher interviews. Please let Mike know if you intend to stay for the afternoon.
How we relate to others & the world around us reveals the depth of our practice. In an ethically confused world, living out the Buddha's ethic of non-harming and kindness is a great gift to others & ourselves. The issues are best tackled in Sangha rather than individually. In this session we will consider:
Basic sila training (precepts):
In Buddhism, the core ethical principle is non-harming (avihimsa). The "five precepts" are like training wheels for learning to live an ethical life. Given the complexity of modern society, this is more difficult than ever. Please reflect on how you are challenged to apply these five aspects of harmlessness (see handout).
Healthy values:
Early Buddhism list and discusses many important virtues to cultivate in Dhamma practice. The 10 Virtues for Crossing Over (parami) are an especially popular and influential list (see handout).
Right livelihood:
Within modern consumer capitalism, how we earn our livelihood, invest, do business, shop, and consume are even more important ethical issues that ever. Which aspects of livelihood are explotative, unjust, and harmful? How can we supply our legitimate needs without harming and exploiting others?
Right relationship: Sigalovada Sutta (DN 31): Roles & Responsibilities
Two translations are available on Access to Insight: Kelly, et al & Narada. Maurice Walshe's translation is published in The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom).
Please use these "directions" to reflect on the significant relationships in your life, which may not fit tidily into one of the six. Consider, too, the reciprocal responsibilities between you and the people with whom you are related. Are there responsibilities we tend to prefer and others that are downplayed or repressed?
Social responsibility:
We are both individuals and members of groups. Though our culture has emphasized individualism, the importance and value of culture and society are also relevant to our lives, and thus an arena for Dhamma practice. What are some of the ways we can take responsibility for the communities and societies in which we live? (Hint: You don't have to be a hero and figure it out by yourself.)
The clear, calm mind sees dhammas as they actually are. Recognizing & dropping hindrances is crucial to deeper happiness in quotidinal life.
The radical teaching that bridges the millennia between the Buddha's time and today's science. Sees these immediate truths and you will see the Buddha.
As we will focus on the earliest strata of the teachings as found in the Pali canon, this series is suitable for everyone interested in the teachings that underlie all the schools that eventually developed.
Another study series will take place on the Sunday afternoons immediately following this series. They will be hosted in Oak Park and will explore some of the more profound teachings of Buddhism, beginning with Emptiness, and will involve a fair amount of reading.
Michael Zieve mlzieve at yahoo.com ... phone 219-871-2094
Registration for this series is now full.
A 2011 Study Series is likely. Let Mike know if you want to be informed of details as they emerge.
Buddhadasa group
The group focuses on exploring Buddha-Dhamma along the lines of Suan Mokkh. Participants in the IC study series are welcome regarding all topics connected with our series.
