The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions.
Five Mondays, October 7–November 4, 5:30–6:30 pm PT
“Buddhism is not a single thing. It is a vast group of traditions, beliefs, and practices. It is spread over many geographies, cultures, personal experiences and a vast period of time.” —Dhammadīpā
In this five-week online course we will survey all three branches of Buddhism: early Buddhism, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, with an emphasis on key people in Buddhist history. We will also explore what Buddhist art can teach us about expression of the Path.
Join Dhammadīpā for this whirlwind tour of the Buddhist world.
Each class will consist of a pre-recorded lecture and article readings with a weekly live discussion on Zoom. For the first session, our readings include excerpts (chapters 9, 10, and 13) from A Meditator's Life of the Buddha by Bhikkhu Analayo (available at this link for purchase through the SFZC Online Store).
Week 1 — The Buddha
Week 2 — Early Buddhism and the Theravada
Week 3 — Early Mahayana
Week 4 — Ch’an and Zen
Week 5 — Vajrayana
The Life of the Buddha
Trace the beginnings of Buddhism to its deepest roots in India. Discover how the Buddha's birth, life, and death shaped the early discourses.
Understand the qualities that the Buddha valued in a practitioner.
The Three Vehicles
Learn about the foundational texts and practices of Therevada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism. Explore the role women had in shaping these traditions by embracing monasticism and lay Buddhism.
Buddhist Art
What does Buddhist art have to tell us about Buddhist ideals and values? Special supplemental lectures reveal the teachings that statues and other art forms communicate over centuries.
Testimonials:
"Dhammadīpā was a wonderful teacher! She covered so much important material in a very approachable way and her embodied understanding of the teachings made the information relatable."
"I found Dhammadīpā’s teaching style and presentation to be very engaging. She is very knowledgeable and has a strong experiential background."
- General: $175
- SFZC Member: $157.50
- Sliding scale 1: $105
San Francisco Zen Center is committed to making Zen practice and the Dharma accessible to all who seek it by offering both a General support fund and a dedicated BIPOC support fund. Please email supportfunds@sfzc.org for more information BEFORE signing up.
Or call 415-354-0360.
