The Roots of Buddhism with Koshin Cain

Thursday evenings

6:30 – 8:30pm
Oct. 17 – Nov. 15, 2024

Please join us for our Fall Dharma Study at the Zendo on Vashon. Our teacher will be Koshin Chris Cain. You may attend in person (limited seats) and via Zoom. There will be five class sessions (in person and on Zoom) on Thursday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The class will meet on Oct 17, Oct 24, Oct 31, Nov 7, and Nov 15.

In the class, we’ll study portions of 16 ancient Buddhist texts.  By the end of the series, you will have gained:

• An appreciation for the basic teachings of the Buddha, and what concepts and practices were most important to him.
• An understanding of the ancient world that the Buddha inhabited, and the context for his teaching.
• An idea of how these ancient texts relate to your Zen practice.
• A better appreciation of some of your sangha members.

For this class you’ll need to buy or borrow a copy of Basic Teachings of the Buddha by Glenn Wallis.

Each class will consist of lectures, small group discussions, and large group discussions. My aim is to connect the old texts we’re studying with Buddhist and Zen practice. I hope you’ll bring both your analytical, philosophical self and your personal, spiritual self to each class.

Class is limited to 16 in person, no limit on Zoom.

Cost:  $200 non-member/ $175 member

There will be five classes on five successive Thursdays.

All classes will be hybrid.

For this class you’ll need to buy or borrow a copy of Basic Teachings of the Buddha by Glenn Wallis.

Each class will be a mixture of lecture, small group discussion, and large group discussion.  My aim is to connect the old texts we’re studying with Buddhist and Zen practice.  My hope is that you’ll bring both your analytical, philosophical self and your personal, spiritual self to each class.

Here is a list of the Buddhist concepts I hope to cover, at least briefly:

• Impermanence
• No Self
• Reincarnation
• Suffering
• Dependent Origination
• Three Poisons
• Four Foundations of Mindfulness
• Four Immeasurables
• Four Noble Truths
• Five Skandhas
• Seven Factors of Awakening
• Eight Fold Path

Resources I’m using:

• Buddha by Karen Armstrong – A nicely written biography for a general reader.
• The Buddha by John Strong – More academic than Armstrong, complete with charts and tables.
• Buddha:  A Very Short Introduction by Michael Carrithers – Nice slim Oxford University Press volume.  Lots of context for Buddha’s life.
• Buddhism:  A History by Noble Ross Reat.  My favorite survey.