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:
9:00 AM - 11 AM PT

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.

The Prajnaparamita Sutras are revered as the heart of Mahayana Buddhism, offering profound insights into the nature of reality, interdependence, and the wisdom of emptiness. Central to the Mahayana tradition and the Path of the Bodhisattva, these teachings provide essential guidance for cultivating wisdom and compassion on the journey to enlightenment. In this 6-week class series, we will delve into the Heart Sutra, one of the most concise and potent teachings within this collection. Renowned for its profound simplicity and evocative power, the Heart Sutra distills the vast teachings of the Prajnaparamita into concise and inspiring prose, inviting practitioners to reflect deeply on the nature of existence. Its pith statements, such as “Form is emptiness; emptiness is form,” serve as a doorway into understanding the ultimate nature of phenomena and the path to liberation.

Discover how the wisdom of emptiness deepens and strengthens our capacity for boundless compassion, embodying the courageous heart of a bodhisattva. These teachings offer both a refuge and practical tools to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of our times with fearless compassion, clarity, and resilience. Each session will include meditation, teachings, and opportunities for discussion and questions. Participants will also receive guidance for contemplative practices and readings to support their exploration and integration between classes.

This series is open to all, though meditation experience and previous study of the skandhas/aggregates and the 8 consciousnesses is recommended.

Join us in this exploration of timeless wisdom as we uncover the liberating truths of the Prajnaparamita Sutras and open our hearts and minds to the boundless possibilities of emptiness.

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

**Please Note: This Dharma Deep Dive class series is included in the Bhodi 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.