Teachings of the Buddha

8 Week Evening Course,

Once a month, 7.30pm – 9.00pm.

Tuesdays from Oct 15th: Teach na Tuisceana, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway.

Mondays from Oct 21st: Sunyata Centre, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare.

Nick Scott with help from Padraig Cotter and Jackie Carrol.

In this course we'll work our way through the basic Buddhist teachings, starting with the Four Noble Truths, and eventually move on to the more difficult ones. For each meeting there will be a couple of short pieces of text to read These will usually be from teachings by monks and nuns in the Forest sangha lineage such as Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Cha, etc, or occasionally something from outside this linage or an actual Buddhist sutta. Sometimes there will also be a recorded talk that can be listened to, if you have time. We then discuss what we have read together and how we might use the teachings in our practise.

Each evening will start with thirty minutes meditation followed by an hour of discussion, which can overrun but is then optional. This is not an academic course but about trying to understand the teachings in the way the Buddha intended – as a means for reflection in our practise, as an aid to insight. We will take the teachings slowly and try to delve into everything, so we can understand both what the Buddha is trying to convey and how that feels and works for each of us. The amount of reading will never be large (you can read the essential part in less than an hour). Also the group will not be large so everyone has an opportunity to speak, and to get to know each other.

We will send out the readings for each meeting by e-mail so you will need to either have an e-mail address or have someone who can receive it for you. Each month’s main text will come from a free distribution book or booklet that we provide (we start with Ajahn Sumedho’s The Four Noble Truths). All of those I suggest can also be downloaded from websites I will give in the monthly e-mail, as can the talks.

The course is open to anyone who has a daily meditation practise or is trying to establish one, and is willing to commit to coming to a meeting once a month. It is not for people new to meditation or for those who just want to study or discuss Buddhism. It will run for five monthly meetings initially and if it works, then continue for another two or three.

There is no charge. Lifts may be possible – let us know if you will need one or can give one. Numbers limited.

To book a place at Teach na Tuisceana, write to Niamh: teachnat@gmail.com

To book a place at Sunyata, write to Colm: info@sunyatacentre.com. 061 367073