Exploring The Basics Of Buddhism

No Journey is successful without a map and proper preparation. In this first day, we will observe the breadth of the journey we are taking together. I will introduce myself as your guide, and we will reflect honestly to see where we sit along the journey already.

In this lesson, we will discuss the various motivations that we can bring to this method of discovery, practice, observation and self inquiry. We will work to see which motivation is best to keep in mind throughout this thirty day course for you and discuss the specific Buddhist motivation of Bodhicitta.

In today's lesson, we will try and parce out what exactly Buddhism is and what it is not. We will talk about why it is seen as a monotheism, polytheism, a philosophy, and why it doesn’t quite fit into any particular category. Yet, why when looked at through the right lens, could be seen as any of these things.

In this lesson, we will learn who exactly Buddha was; his historical life and context as well as the more mythological side. We will look at his birth, life, enlightenment, death, and school that was built up around him during his life.

Life at its core is Suffering, which is Dukkha in Sanskrit. This has been taught not only by Buddhists but many people all over the world. In this session, we will look at what suffering is and what specifically is meant by the word in the Buddhist context.

In this session, we will begin our more in-depth examination of Buddhist teaching, beginning with the first and second of the Buddha's Four Noble Truths.

Continuing on, in this session we will look into the third and fourth Noble Truths and lay the foundation of theory and understanding before progressing into each step of the Noble Eightfold Path.

Beginning with the first spoke in the wheel of Buddha's Dharma, we will discuss Right View/Right Understanding. The aim of this lesson is to show why this is the view you should have if you are wanting to walk the Middle Way, as well as a good view to adopt in life in general.

How do thoughts affect not only our practice but our life? What we think, we become. All that we are is the result of what we have thought. In today's session, we will look into how we can see negative thoughts as negative and try our best to curb discursive thinking.

How does speech affect our practice? The power of words is almost magical, they can change minds and win over hearts, yet they can instill hate too if we do not watch them with a wise eye. In this session, we will look at what the Buddha taught in reference to the Noble Truth of Right Speech.

Actions speak louder than words. To err is human, yet we hold so much potential for doing good. In today's session, we will look into what the Buddhists think correct, gentle, and stalwart action is in.

What you do all day long definitely has an effect on the rest of your life. In today's session, we will look at how our occupation can affect our practice and how some occupations are perhaps more suitable for those wishing to practice Buddhadharma than others.

Bruce Lee said that he did not fear the man who had practiced a thousand punches one time, but the man who had practiced one punch a thousand times. The effort and intention that we have behind the things we do is almost as important as the doing of them. Our motivations define the method, they can lead us down a path to peace and compassion, or one of self righteous justification. Today, we look at what Buddhists teach on Right Effort.

We are now nearing the end of the Noble Eightfold Truths. In this session, we look into Right Mindfulness and just how essential being mindful is to the path as a whole.

We've reached the final fold of the Noble Eightfold Path. In this session, we will look into what Right Concentration is and how it helps us to function within the entire Noble Eightfold Path as a whole.

Right Association is commonly seen as a preliminary teaching to the Nobel Eightfold Path. It reminds us to stick to a flock of people who support us in our practice. In today's session, we look at why it is important to have people of similar spirit and pursuit around us in life, sharing your interests and values.

The Five Precepts are a set of guidelines that Buddhists adhere to in order to do no harm. In today's session, we will be going over the basic rules and suggestions that the Buddha gave for living an ethical life. These are, 1. to abstain from taking life; 2. to abstain from taking what is not given; 3. to abstain from sensuous misconduct; 4. to abstain from false speech and; 5. to abstain from intoxicants as tending to cloud the mind.

In today's session, we will learn about The Three Jewels, which are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Taking refuge in the three jewels is an essential aspect of Buddhism and provides a great entry into the study of Buddhism as a whole. Now, let’s get our feet wet and learn about these in more detail!

Co-dependent origination is arguably one of the most important ideas within Buddhism. It helps tie together many ideas, philosophies, practices, and theories. In today's session, we will explore this concept in more detail.

In today's session, we will be looking at one of the fundamental concepts found within Buddhism, Compassion. More specifically, we will look at how it is seen within the Buddhist world and how we can use it in our daily life.

In today's session, we will be approaching the tricky and complex idea of emptiness and its role not only in Buddhist philosophy but in our meditation practice itself. Strap in!

Renunciation in Buddhism is seen as an act of liberation from the things that bind us to suffering and attachment. In today's session, we delve deeply into the theory of renunciation within Buddhism and how we can use it in our daily life.

In today's session, we take a closer look at the five hindrances, which are the five things that plague us in our daily life and keep us from seeing reality as it actually is. The five hindrances are, sensual desire or greed; ill-will or aversion; sloth and torpor; restlessness & anxiety or worry; and doubt.

In today's session, we will be looking at Shamatha. Shamatha meditation is the first of two styles of meditation that Buddha taught. Shamatha focuses on concentration and the process of relaxing into the natural state of the mind.

In today's session, we will be looking at Vipassana meditation, which is the second method of meditation taught by the Buddha. In Theravada Buddhism, Vipassana meditation involves concentration on the body or its sensations, as well as noticing the insight that this provides.

In today's session, we will be taking a look at the four immeasurables in Buddhism, which are lovingkindness (metta), joy (mudita), compassion (karuna), and equanimity (upekkha). These Buddhist virtues are cultivated through meditation practice and work to open the heart.

In today's session, we will be looking at the vastly misunderstood and misrepresented idea of Karma. We will be focusing specifically on how it works within the Buddhist view and not how other schools of thought approach it. Karma is a complex yet simple idea when looked at through the right frame of mind clicks together instantly.

What does Buddhism say about the subjects of rebirth and reincarnation? In today's session, we will look at how Buddhism views those subjects as a whole as well as some sectarian differences in opinion.

In today's session, we will be approaching some of the most difficult subjects to discuss not only in the realm of Buddhism but in all spiritual paths. This includes Enlightenment, Nirvana, Satori, Moksha, Awakening – whatever name you know it by. It is the entire culmination and fruition of the path. Buddha said with the correct effort, teachers and practice it could be done in 7 years. So let's take a small look at it in 10 minutes.

In the final day of our course we will be wrapping up all our knowledge and setting sail out into the rest of the vast ocean of Dharma. You are now supplied with the basic knowledge to get by when practicing or studying Buddhism, but what do you do next? What do you read? Where do you go? The practice doesn't stop here, but continues on into the rest of this life.