Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

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Entering The Path: An Online Foundations Course in Early Buddhist Study and Practice

Entering the Path

Entering The Path

An Online Foundations Course in Early Buddhist Study and Practice

Ten weeks of engaging in early Buddhist practice and study in an intensive online community

Interested in studying the suttas but find them too complex, dense?
Not sure how to apply them to your practice?

This online course offers:

video camera
Ten weeks of video lectures, roughly six 10-minute segments per week. Easy to follow sutta readings are displayed as they are read by the teachers.
small groups
Connect in small groups with one of the guiding teacher weekly for one hour. Meetings are conducted through video conferencing software on computer, mobile, or tablet.
one-on-one
One-on-one meetings via video conference with the guiding teacher available throughout the program for personal practice explorations.

Lectures by these teachers:

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Facilitating Teacher

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Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction and the Value of the Early Buddhist Teachings
Jake Davis, Bhikkhu Anālayo and Joseph Goldstein

Week 2: The Four Noble Truths
Bhikkhu Anālayo, Jake Davis, and Joseph Goldstein

Week 3: Dāna—Understanding dāna (generosity) as cultivating skillful qualities of heart
Shaila Catherine

Week 4: Sīla – Understanding sīla (ethical behavior) as a gift to oneself and the world
Ajahn Candasiri

Small group discussions
Click to view sample screenshots from the course
Sample course page
Video check-ins with guiding teachers

Week 5: Brahma Vihāras
Bhikkhu Anālayo and Sharon Salzberg

Week 6: Papañca, Cognition, Mindfulness
John Peacock

Week 7: Satipaṭṭhāna: Body
Bhikkhu Anālayo

Week 8: Satipaṭṭhāna: Feeling and Mind
Bhikkhu Anālayo

Week 9: Satipaṭṭhāna: Dhammas
Bhikkhu Anālayo

Week 10: Awakening and Conclusion of Course
Jake Davis and Joseph Goldstein

 

Small group discussions
Click to view sample screenshots from the course
Sample course page
Video check-ins with guiding teachers

Testimonials from Previous Participants

“Every week I was blown away.”
I was expecting excellent content, but still, every week I was blown away. I was so impressed with this new way to deliver a class. You really exploited this medium.

“What really surprised me was the Sangha.”
What really surprised me (because I thought it was going to be something intellectual) was the Sangha. I never had access to anything like this before, with the teachers or the students. What really amazed me was how devoted everyone was to this class and to the dharma, without exception. Everyone’s involvement was so wholehearted, and I really felt at home with this course. 

“I really appreciate how different this course was to any other residential retreat.”
The most surprising and unique aspect of the course was how personal it all became. I really appreciate how different this course was to any other residential retreat. Because we were all in our own homes and living out our lives, and the practicing of the material happened in ‘real life’ rather than on secluded retreat, the teachings felt WAY more useful. Questions and investigation came up in ways that would never have manifested on retreat. This made it feel very, very alive and relevant to my life.

“I would never have guessed that an online course could provide this closeness.”
I felt a much closer connection to the teachers than on any other course, I think because of this real-life aspect. I would never have guessed that an online course could provide this closeness. It was an outstanding reason why the course was so beneficial and enjoyable. The interactions with the teachers were so unscripted and real because of the format. It was truly wonderful; thank you all so much.

Commitment

This course requires considerable commitment from participants. We require attendance at weekly virtual meetings, as well as completion of small writing prompts throughout the program. The required time commitment is roughly 5-7 hours per week.

Each week includes:

  • 1 hour of video lecture
  • 75 minutes of a small group meeting
  • 1 1/2 hours of personal time for reading suttas, reflections and key points
  • Daily practice and digestion

Over the course of the program, participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the guiding teacher for two sessions of 15-30 minutes each.

Application Process and Criteria for Selection

In previous programs, due to the need for small groups to support the intimate nature of the program, we have been able to accept roughly half of applicants. In general, we have endeavored to include those with previous meditation experience, those who have limited access to dharma study in their area, and those who have demonstrated keen interest, for instance those who have applied to previous programs.

Prerequisite experience includes the completion of at least one week of continuous silent meditation practice.

Acceptance into the program is contingent upon a short virtual interview (approximately 5 minutes) with BCBS staff to ensure clarity of commitment and comfort level with technology.

Program Fee, Teacher Dāna and Scholarships

The course fee is $450. This does not include financial support for the guiding teacher. As is customary at BCBS, there will be an opportunity to offer dāna to the teacher at the end of the program.

We are committed to making this program accessible to all. Scholarships are available to help supplement the course fee.  Scholarship requests may be made on the course application.

Upcoming Iterations

There are no upcoming iterations scheduled for this time.  Please sign for our email list to stay informed regarding future dates. 

Questions? Email Us

 

Located in Central Massachusetts

149 Lockwood Road, Barre, MA 01005
978 355 2347     contact@buddhistinquiry.org

 

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • New and Notable
    • COVID-19 Safety Protocols
    • Mission and Values
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Board of Directors
    • IMS
    • Staff
    • Job Openings
    • Getting to BCBS
    • Mailing List
    • Contact Us
  • Onsite Programs
    • Current Course Calendar
    • Everything You Need to Know About Residential Programs
    • Typical Residential Schedule
    • Continuing Education Credits
    • Financial Assistance
    • Teacher Dāna
  • Online Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Wisdom Collaborations
    • Previously Offered Programs
    • Cancellation Policy
  • Path Programs
  • Teaching Faculty
  • Resources
    • Insight Journal
    • Bhikkhu Anālayo’s Offerings
    • The Daily Sit
    • Freely Offered Dharma
      • Events
      • Courses
    • BCBS Publishing
    • BCBS Bookstore
    • Access to Insight
    • Dharma Seed
    • Ways to Engage in Social Justice
  • Generosity
    • Donate
    • Recurring Donations
    • Planned Giving
    • Stocks, DAFs, and IRA Gifts
    • Teacher Dāna
    • Volunteer