COURSE ONE

Topic: The Four Noble Truths: Understanding Suffering and Finding Freedom in Our Shared Human Experience

Dates:
Sundays | January 19, 26 & February 2, 9, 16, 23

Location:
In-person at our new center (7110 Redwood Blvd, Suite B., Novato, CA) or online via Zoom.

Time:
8:30 AM - 11 AM PDT

The Buddha’s first teaching was a presentation of the Four Noble Truths—an accessible yet profound exploration of the human condition. These teachings offer a practical framework for understanding our experience and transforming our relationship with life’s challenges by pointing to the reality of suffering, its origin, the possibility of liberation, and the path leading to freedom.

The suffering described in the Four Noble Truths refers to the underlying dissatisfaction we experience, even in moments of joy and connection. Our tendency to grasp at pleasure and resist discomfort creates a cycle of attachment and struggle. On a deeper level, this grasping stems from clinging to a fixed sense of self as separate and independent. The Four Noble Truths serve as a gateway to recognizing and working with this fundamental misunderstanding.

In this class, we will explore the traditional teachings of the Four Noble Truths while examining how they manifest in the complexities of 21st-century life. We will investigate the many ways we cling to experiences and our sense of identity, both in obvious and subtle ways. We will also explore how loosening this grip can open space for living with greater ease, compassion, and freedom, benefitting both ourselves and others.

Each class will include meditation instruction and a guided silent sitting practice. After the teachings, Lama Döndrup will introduce a contemplative exercise, followed by small-group discussions where participants can reflect on their personal experience in an open, supportive environment.

No prerequisites are required. We welcome students of all levels to deepen their understand of these essential teachings.

Fee:
$225 course fee
$185 (base)
$175 (Sukhasiddhi member)
$300 (benefactor)

The deadline to register is Saturday, January 18 at 12 PM (Pacific).

**Please Note: This Dharma Deep Dive class series is included in the Dharma Training Program as part of the curriculum. If you are already enrolled in DTP, you do not need to register separately for this series. 

**Please Note: This Dharma Deep Dive class series is NOT included in the Bodhi Program. If you are enrolled in Bodhi and are interested in this series, you will need to register separately.

Join Lama Döndrup for an exploration of Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way by the great Indian master Nāgārjuna, one of the most influential philosophers in the Buddhist tradition. As a cornerstone of the Mahāyāna Buddhist path, this profound text presents the foundational teachings of the Middle Way (Madhyamaka), offering insight into the nature of reality, emptiness, and dependent arising. Nāgārjuna’s teachings illuminate the way to develop wisdom and compassion. By understanding emptiness, practitioners can transcend self-centered concerns and cultivate the bodhisattva ideal of working for the benefit of all beings.

Together, we will engage with Nāgārjuna’s skillful use of reasoning and logic, actively applying his methods to investigate fixed concepts about existence, non-existence, self, and world. By participating in this process of inquiry, we’ll explore how recognizing the empty nature of all phenomena can transform our understanding of suffering and liberation.

We will reflect on how the profound insights of this text can inform our experience of modern life by working with deeply held views, navigating challenges, and cultivating openness and compassion in a complex, interdependent world. Each session will offer practical approaches for applying these teachings in daily life, making the transformative power of the Middle Way accessible and relevant.

The class will include meditation, guided study, contemplative inquiry, and lively discussion, making these profound teachings accessible and relevant. Each session will emphasize integrating the insights of the Middle Way into meditation practice and daily life, fostering deeper clarity, openness, and compassion.

Whether you are new to Nāgārjuna’s work or seeking to deepen your understanding, this class will offer a supportive environment for inquiry and discovery. Prior meditation experience is highly recommended, but not required.

Fee:
$225 course fee
$185 (base)
$175 (Sukhasiddhi member)
$300 (benefactor)

**Please Note: This Dharma Deep Dive class series is included in the Bhodi Training Program as part of the curriculum. If you are already enrolled in Bodhi, you do not need to register separately for this series. 

**Please Note: This Dharma Deep Dive class series is NOT included in the Dharma Training Program. If you are enrolled in DTP and are interested in this series, you will need to register separately.