As Buddhism comes to the West we are beginning to find ways to apply the Buddha’s teachings to our everyday lives. The
Buddha’s teachings guide us down the path which leads to the end of suffering. In this series we will explore what the Buddha
taught regarding householders and the spiritual practices which lead to both a harmonious life and to the end of suffering.
This series of classes is designed to support homemakers in their everyday practice, to create sangha, or spiritual friendships,
and to explore how we can bring the Buddha’s teachings to life in our home and everyday lives. They are designed to be
experiential. With the support of one another we will build a sturdy foundation for our home practice. We will study the Buddha’s
teachings and apply them to our daily lives.
Buddha’s teachings guide us down the path which leads to the end of suffering. In this series we will explore what the Buddha
taught regarding householders and the spiritual practices which lead to both a harmonious life and to the end of suffering.
This series of classes is designed to support homemakers in their everyday practice, to create sangha, or spiritual friendships,
and to explore how we can bring the Buddha’s teachings to life in our home and everyday lives. They are designed to be
experiential. With the support of one another we will build a sturdy foundation for our home practice. We will study the Buddha’s
teachings and apply them to our daily lives.
| THE SERIES WILL INCLUDE: Creating A Lay Buddhist Practice In this 8 week class we will build the foundation for all other daily practices by creating a “shrine room” in our home. The symbols of a Buddha statue or painting, light, fresh flowers and incense will be used create a mental culture conducive to meditation. We will explore how a feeling of reverence can deepen our everyday practice. Taking The Five Precepts The five precepts are the skeleton of the moral teachings given by the Buddha. As householders these precepts are the compass we use to guide our lives in a harmonious direction. These moral teachings are meant to be chosen and taken freely. The depth of our understanding of these precepts will affect how much our lives are benefited by them. In this class we will deepen our understanding of how moral behavior not only creates a harmonious life but is a necessary step on the path to enlightenment. As householders the five precepts are essential to our spiritual practice. Taking The Three Refuges Now that we have created the physical and psychological space, or container, for our practice we will begin by taking the three refuges. These refuges are taken by Buddhists all over the world. They help us remember why we are meditating and support us in sustaining our effort. In this class we will look at the three refuges in detail so that we can take them with a depth of understanding and heart. Relationships Drawing from the Sigolavada Sutta we will explore what the Buddha had to teach about relationships between husband and wife, child and parent, teacher and student, friends, employer and employee and spiritual guide and student. INDIVIDUAL CLASSES These individual classes are not sequential and can be taken at any time. Everyday Practices This class will look at our practice when we are “off the pillow”. Practices such as generosity, gratitude, loving kindness and other practices common to all Wisdom traditions will be explored and practical applications will be given. Facing Mortality - The Buddhist Perspective On Death And Illness In The Family This class will look at facing our mortality, talking with children about death, grieving, Buddhist perspectives on death, caretaking an ill or dying person, parents preparing for death, freedom from the fear of death, and alternative funerals and rituals for the dead. Book Groups Online book groups for discussion on a wide variety of subjects will be offered periodically. To see what book groups are currently being offered, check out the most recent newsletter, From The Hearth, under Upcoming Events and Classes. In keeping with the Buddhist tradition, all classes are offered at no charge. To start creating your own lay Buddhist practice and join the class, please email Heather Thornton. |
all material copyrighted, Jacqueline Kramer, 2007-2009
| Lay Buddhist Practice Class Series |
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