Keys To The Buddha's Central Teachings

In this first session students learn about the central role that the four noble truths play in the Buddha’s teachings and the role that these teachings can play in helping you find freedom from suffering in your own life. We discuss the Buddha’s birth and upbringing; his search for the end of suffering; his awakening; and his life of teaching that began with sharing his teaching of the four noble truths. This session includes a guided meditation focused on calming the body and mind—and taking our seat in the present moment. Poems shared: ‘Clearing’ by Martha Postlethwaite and an extract from ‘Peace is this moment without judgment’ by Dorothy Hunt. In the next session we will explore the first noble truth—the truth of suffering—and the liberating possibilities that arise from recognizing and acknowledging our own suffering.

In this second session we explore the first noble truth—the truth of suffering—and how recognizing and acknowledging our own suffering provides us with a key to well-being and freedom in our lives. We discuss the meaning of suffering (dukkha, in the Pali language), how it manifests in our lives, and the importance of recognizing when suffering is present in order to be able to abandon it. In James Baldwin’s words, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” This session includes a guided meditation inviting us to open to what is present in body, mind, and heart. Poem shared: ‘Mind Wanting More’ by Holly Hughes. In the next session we will explore the second noble truth—craving/clinging as the cause of suffering—and the liberating possibilities that arise from recognizing our own role in creating or fueling our suffering.

In this third session we explore the second noble truth—craving/clinging as the cause of suffering—and the possibilities that come from recognizing our own role in creating or fueling our suffering. We discuss the Buddhist understanding that desire is not in itself a problem or something that leads to suffering, but rather that it’s clinging to desire (or aversion, or other forms of resistance to life as it is unfolding) that gives rise to suffering. In the guided meditation we practice bringing kindness, acceptance, and non-judgment to all that is arising, saying ‘yes’ to what is. Poem shared: ‘The Peace of Wild Things’ by Wendell Berry. In Session 4 we will explore the third noble truth—the end of suffering, or Nirvana/Nibbana, the freedom that comes from letting go of craving and clinging.

In this fourth session we explore the third noble truth—the end of suffering, or Nirvana/Nibbana, the freedom that comes from completely letting go of craving/clinging. We discuss the meaning of ending suffering completely and the Buddha’s teaching that ‘One who understands clinging and non-clinging understands all the dharma.’ In the guided meditation we practice bringing awareness to suffering in our own experience and how we can meet it with kindness and acceptance and experience the freedom that comes with letting go of clinging. Poem shared: ‘Peace is this moment without judgment’ by Dorothy Hunt. In the next session, we will explore the fourth noble truth—the path of training that leads to the end of suffering, known as the Noble Eightfold Path (a training in cultivating ethics, meditation, and wisdom).

In this fifth session, we examine the fourth noble truth—the path of training that leads to the end of suffering, known as the Noble Eightfold Path (a training in ethics, meditation, and the cultivation of wisdom). We briefly discuss the eight elements of the eightfold path: 1) Wise/appropriate/right understanding, and wise intention (the wisdom area); 2) wise speech, action, and livelihood (the area of ethics or virtue); and 3) wise effort, mindfulness, and concentration (the mind training area). In the guided meditation we practice opening to our experience and reflect on the eight elements of the Eightfold Path and how they lead us to insight and freedom. Poem shared: ‘The Journey’ by Mary Oliver. In the sixth and final session we will review and summarize the main teachings and the keys to using these teachings and practices to transform our lives.

In this final session we review and summarize the main teachings of the course and the keys to using these teachings and practices to transform our lives: 1) recognizing when suffering is present (first noble truth); 2) acknowledging our own role in creating or fueling our suffering through craving/clinging (second noble truth); 3) letting go of clinging and realizing freedom from suffering (third noble truth); and 4) developing the practices of the Eightfold Path that lead to the end of suffering (fourth noble truth). In the guided meditation we practice letting go of mental narratives that keep us tangled and returning to the body and breath—and cultivating a mind that can let everything come and go without clinging or resistance. Poem shared: ‘The Breeze at Dawn’ By Jellaludin Rumi.