Beginner’s Mind: The Basics of Buddhism and Zen
Taught by Koshin Chris Cain and Shuko Sissel Johannessen

Class is Full

Five weeks: Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30, Oct 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17

In-person and Zoom. $125 member; $150 non-member

Puget Sound Zen Center, 18005 Vashon Hwy SW

In this series we will cover the basics of early Buddhism and review the history and teachings of the Zen school. We will answer questions such as “What were the Buddha’s core teachings?” “How does Zen differ from the Buddhism before it?”
You will come away from this class with an understanding of the framework of Buddhism and its foundational teachings. You will also have a feeling for the history and practice of Zen Buddhism.
This class will be good for anyone who is interested in Buddhism and Zen – no previous familiarity is needed. It will also be helpful for experienced practitioners who would like a review.
There will be 1-2 hours of reading required before each class, plus class participation.
Concepts covered include: Reincarnation, karma, no-self, dependent origination, the Four Noble Truths, the 8-Fold Path, nirvana, Mahayana, emptiness, koans, zazen, the Zen arts.

Week 1
The Buddha and his teachings
The Context – India at the time of the Buddha
The Buddha’s story
The Buddha’s teaching
The Buddha’s death

Week 2
Early Buddhism
King Ashoka
Buddhism divides
Mahayana and Prajnaparamita

Week 2
Buddhist kaleidoscopes
Tibetan, Pure Land traditions
The Beginnings of the Zen school: Bodhidharma to Huineng

Week 4
Zen grows up
The Golden Age of Zen
Move to Korea and Japan
Japanese masters – Dogen, Ryokan, Hakuin
Zen poets and the Zen arts

Week 5
Zen comes to the West
Zen at PSZC
Form and ritual