Here are notes from the topics we have been discussing in our weekly meetings. Select and click on a title below:
Learning from experience
Nirvana and other terms
Three marks of existence
Four noble truths (or tasks)
Eightfold path
Pratītyasamutpāda – dependent origination
Karuna, metta, ahimsa
Dharma & mindfulness
Skandhas – the Buddhist view of the self
Karma & reincarnation
Transience, clinging, non-attachment
Maya, language & division
MIND – some Buddhist views
Śūnyatā – ‘emptiness’
Suspending judgement
Buddha nature, the unconditioned
Sangha – learning, growth and realisation
The practice of awakening
The art of awakening and art education
Unlearning, transformation and mindful meditation
Ideal & actual – theory & practice
What do we mean by practice
Non-self – contingency – anatta
On death and dying
Acceptance
Suffering, craving and Fourfold Task
Joy & equanimity
More on ‘dependent arising’ – pratitya-samutpada
Belief, doubt & enquiry
Suchness – tathatā
Buddhism & psychotherapy
Enlightenment in everyday life
Contingency & conditionality
The Book of Eights
Language, Buddhism & meditation
More on the self
More on contingency & time
Buddha’s social teachings
Renewing society
Historical development
Theravada & Mahayana
After awakening??
Dogen, self, interdependence
Buddha’s life & times
A Buddhist perspective on eco-grief
Everyday awakening and self-construction
Interdependence – the relational universe
Minding – taking notice – taking care
Self & non-self – anatta
Buddhism & ecology
Race, caste & class
The practice of awakening
Hope or despair?
Free will
Zazen, clearing & compassionate disinterest
‘Do no harm’ – ‘take no shit’
Understanding & alleviating suffering
Developing a society that aims to alleviate suffering
