EarthDiverse Term 4 course on Buddhism

Todd Nachowitz from EarthDiverse

This eight-week class provides a detailed introduction to the Buddhist Tradition. Individual class sessions will focus on:

• Week 1: Course Introduction; Buddhism: Overview & Historical Context
• Week 2: The Life of the Historical Buddha
• Week 3: Buddhist Sacred Texts and Teachings: Tripiṭaka, the Sutras, Dharmapāda
• Week 4: Buddhist Development and Spread: Sangha, Early Buddhist Schools of Thought, Emperor Ashoka, Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna (Tibetan) traditions
• Week 5: Core Concepts in Buddhism: Saṃsāra, karma, rebirth & reincarnation, anātman, Nirvāṇa, emptiness
• Week 6: Buddhist Philosophy: Mādhyamikā, dependent co-origination
• Week 7: The Buddhist Path-Precepts & Practice: The Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths, the Eight-Fold Path, The Four Immeasurables
• Week 8: Historic Decline of Buddhism in India, Global Growth and Expansion; Buddhist Denominations and Sects today

Class meets in Hamilton for eight consecutive sessions on Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:00pm beginning Thursday 22 October and ending Thursday 10 December. Class is held at Artmakers, 2 Seddon Rd, Hamilton. Distance-learning options also available.