Introduction to the Buddhist View of Life
7.30pm Thursday on 12, 19 and 26 March 2015
with senior student Len Warren
The Buddha understood the fundamental problem of the human condition – negative emotions, discontent and the lack of satisfaction experienced by many. Not to mention sickness and the loss of a loved one. Before he became enlightened, the Buddha was just like us. But he found a way to free himself from suffering and then a great happiness dawned for him.
So the remedies he offers to us to cure our condition are practical, effective and could change your life for the better. The teachings he gave over forty years of wandering across northern India are vast and profound. In this short introductory course we can but skim the surface of a few of his key messages.
But one needs to start somewhere and to make the resolve to start now is good, because we don’t know what lies ahead for us: as the Buddha said, “Death is certain; but it’s time is most uncertain.” In addition we live in a most fortunate society and at a time when realized beings like his Holiness the Dalai Lama are alive are giving teachings and setting an example of what sort of person the Buddhist path can lead you to become. Transformation is possible. An inner peace and happiness can be achieved.
Do not commit any unwholesome action.
Enjoy accumulating perfect virtue.
And subdue your mind completely.
This is the teaching of the Buddha.
The course will be based on this famous verse from the Buddha. If you feel some connection with the words it would be very beneficial to memorize the verse.
In the first class (12 March), we will look briefly at the mind, it’s importance in Buddhist training, what it is, and how to subdue it (Line 3). In the second class (19 March), we will touch on what causes happiness, and what leads to unhappiness, and the generation of a ‘good heart’ (Line 1). In the third class (26 March) we will spread our wings and turn our attention to all the other beings in this life who are suffering and how to help them (Line 2).
