Fall Dharma Series – The Heart Sutra and the Meaning of Emptiness

Emptiness is a foundational and much misunderstood Buddhist concept. What is Emptiness, and why and how do we practice it?

In this class we will look at the Heart Sutra as a text and as a teaching. We will also take the sutra as a starting point to look at the meaning and relevance of Emptiness, or sunyata, as a Buddhist concept and as a practice.

5 weeks, every Thursday from October 24 – November 21.

Reading:

The Heart Sutra, translation and commentary by Red Pine. You’ll need to purchase this book.

Additional readings from the Dalai Lama, Thich Naht Hahn, Kazuki Tanahashi, Gay Watson, Charles, Seife, Meister Eckhart, Thomas Merton.

Class One: Red Pine’s Heart Sutra, Introduction. Additional readings.

Class Two: Red Pine’s Heart Sutra, Part 1. Additional readings.

Class Three: Red Pine’s Heart Sutra, Parts 2 – 4. Additional readings.

Class Four: The Idea of Emptiness, East and West. Readings by Nagarjuna, Seife, Eckhart, Merton, others.

Class Five – How do we practice with Emptiness? Readings by Dalai Lama, TNH, others.

Registration is closed for this class due to it being at capacity. Please contact registrar@pszc.org if you wish to be put on the waitlist.