The Buddha’s teaching skill shines through the wide range of examples and similes that he used to convey subtle points of instruction. His teachings are peppered with images of mountains, rivers, oceans, sun and moon, lions, jackals, turtles, quail, fire, archery, craftsmanship, windows, gates, bubbles, mirages, magic tricks, ripe fruit, purified gold, incubated eggs, blind men, sumptuous meals, stumps, creeping vines, chariots, etched lines, childhood games, sandcastles, and more.
These images help ordinary people comprehend deep topics. Farmers related to the images of sowing seeds and yoking oxen to the plough; warriors understood his examples of training horses and driving chariots; craftsman comprehended the processes of purifying gold. These striking similes continue to help meditation students gain a down-to-earth sense of the profound path taught by the Buddha.
This course will provide an illuminating and evocative introduction to sutta study by presenting and discussing these vivid teaching similes and stories.
Series 3 Topics:
- Maturing Our Practice
- Sense Doors and Attachments
- Kamma, Conditions, and Results
- Unaffected and Equanimous
- On Speech
- Right View and Impermanence
- Faultless Awakening
- Happiness
Learning Objectives
Participants in this program will:
- Discover an accessible and fun approach to sutta study, supported by evocative similes and intriguing imagery
- Explore how teachings from the ancient discourses come to life through contemporary contemplative practices
- Experience the liberating dynamic of combining study, reflection, discussion, and meditation
- Learn ways of incorporating traditional images into a contemporary mindfulness-based meditation practice
- Gain an introduction to the Pāli Canon with readings gathered from the primary collections, including the Middle Length Discourses, Numerical Discourses, Connected Discourses, Long Discourses, Sutta Nipata, Udana
What to Expect
Course modules include:
- Brief recorded reflections or guided meditations that introduce each lesson (15-30 minutes in length)
- Carefully selected collection of sutta readings that employ similes to explain a dhamma theme (reading assignments will require between 30 – 120 minutes per topic)
- Creative and reflective Try This! exercises to explore and integrate the teachings
- Peer-led discussion forums
- Audio recordings of the weekly online meetings with Shaila Catherine
This program is co-sponsored with Bodhi Courses, and more information can be found on the website here. Please click on FAQ for answers to many questions you may have about the program.
Note for those familiar with other Bodhi Courses: This series is designed with streamlined content that focuses specifically on the similes. It requires considerably less time to read and listen to the material than most other Bodhi Courses, but the conference calls occupy a more predominant role. The calls will be recorded, but it is highly recommended that students attend the conference calls as much as possible.
Note about course dates:
- Feb 21: Enrollees receive enrollment letter from Bodhi Courses with login information for Bodhi Classroom; first module accessible
- Feb 24: Date of first online session
- April 14: Date of final online session
- April 23: Last day enrollees can access Bodhi Classroom