|
||
     |
Wednesday evenings Summer 2010 July and August - 7 to 9pm No class September 8, 2010 Open meditation led by teachers or senior students. Beginners most welcome. Fall 2010 Yoga 5:30 to 7pm Calm&Clear 7:15 to 9:15pm Yoga with Debi Moore 5:30 to 7pm Wednesdays Click here for details on yoga. Starting in the Fall of 2009, we began a 3-year study of what are known as “The Three Vehicles of Buddhism” or “The Three Yanas”: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
Within Tibetan Buddhism, the path to peace and freedom is divided into 3 progressive stages of practice and understanding. We start first with the Hinayana. This vehicle provides the important foundation for the work of “opening” in the Mahayana and “transforming” in the Vajrayana. Without the development of this proper foundation, we will not have a stable base on which to build our practice.
Each year consists of three 10-week sessions. Each 10-week session is divided into 2 modules:
Module 1: 4-weeks devoted to establishing calm and stability primarily through working with the breath and the body scan. Module 2: 6-weeks with focus on the specific meditations/teachings of that year’s particular “vehicle” or “yana”.
Please note that you may choose to take any module/session you wish…in order or out of order. However, each year as well as the entire 3-year program has been set up in a way to allow for a progressive development of understanding and practice. You can join at any time by donation. Wednesdays Calm and Clear Beginner Classes with David Liang Fall 2010 7:15-9:15 pm Module 1: Mindfulness Meditation: 4 weeks Wednesday, Sept 15, 22, 29, Oct 6. Cost: Non-Members: $60 This module will allow you to learn or review the fundamentals of mindfulness. We will be focusing on the body scan, breath and moving meditation. We will also discuss how to set up a home practice and how to extend practice into daily life. This will be a wonderful preparation for those interested in continuing on to Module 2. Module 2: Deepening our Mindfulness: Four Divine Abidings 6 weeks Wed, Oct 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24. Cost: Non-Members: $100 The development of Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity are considered an essential foundation of the Buddhist philosophy of living. As a group they are known as the Divine Abidings. We will engage the student in the philosophy and contemplative practices of this important teachings and discuss how to integrate this work into our ordinary lives. NOTE: FOH founder Catherine Jetsun-Yeshe will be leading and providing an overview of this important teaching in the Oct 20th class. We will then continue to explore and expand on the meditations in the following 5 weeks.
Sign up for each module separately as a non-member or take both modules together for $125 and also receive access to all our other classes for 10 weeks! You may also become a member of FOH for $500/yr. This will give you access to ALL classes at FOH and you will be able to attend our retreats at Members prices. Summary of the full 3 year program: 2009/2010: Hinayana Year
We will explore the first teaching the Buddha delivered after his awakening (The Four Noble Truths) and what he said we need to practice in order to achieve peace and happiness (The Noble Eightfold Path). We will also deepen our practice of mindfulness and explore ideas regarding our identity (Who we are?) and the Buddhist concept of Selflessness/Emptiness/Interdependence.
Fall: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: Four Noble Truths/Noble Eightfold Path (6-weeks)
Winter: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: Four Foundations of Mindfulness/Mindfulness at Sense Doors (6-weeks)
Spring: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: 5 Skandhas/Heaps and Meditation on Emptiness/Interdependence (6-weeks)
2010/2011: Mahayana Year
We will discuss and practice meditations on the 4 wholesome emotions (Divine Abidings/Immeasurables): Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity. We will also explore how our practice can deepen through the path of the 6 Perfections which will lead us to an understanding of the interpretations of Emptiness in the Mahayana
Fall: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: Four Divine Abidings/Four Immeasurables (6-weeks)
Winter: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: The Six Perfections: Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Effort, Meditation, Wisdom (6-weeks)
Spring: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: Mahayana Interpretations of Emptiness (6-weeks)
2011/2012: Vajrayana Year
In the Vajrayana, before we set out on our journey we prepare ourselves by reflecting on the Common Preliminaries known as the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Meditation. After that we begin to walk the path of the Uncommon Preliminaries known as Ngondro. Traditionally the practices that make up Ngondro are done in order, with each specific practice purifying and preparing ourselves for the subsequent practice.
Fall: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Meditation: (6-weeks)
Winter Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: Ngondro A: Chenrezig/Prostrations/Refuge/Bodhicitta (6-weeks)
Spring: Module 1: Mindfulness of Body/Breath (4-weeks) Module 2: Ngondro B: Vajrasattva/Mandala Offering/Guru Yoga (6-weeks)
Summer Retreat 2012: 7-day or 9-day Dzogchen/Mahamudra Retreat
We will end our Vajrayana term and the 3-year course with a retreat on the practice of Dzogchen or Mahamudra. They are the practices which enable us to experience the fundamental nature of our minds sometimes called our Buddha-Nature.
Cost: Module 1: $60 Module 2: $100 Module 1+2: $125 Entire Year: $500 (FOH membership - access to ALL regular classes at FOH)
For a list of books that will enhance your experience of this course, click here.
|
|
|
|
||
