“Buddhism is a journey into the depths of one’s heart and mind, the inner reality of one’s essence, an exploration of who we are and what we are. This spiritual journey is nothing more and nothing less than discovering this inner reality.”
— Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Buddhism is not a religion in the usual sense of the word. It is a method of investigation that allows you to work skillfully with the positive potentials and negative energies of your own mind. The foundational teachings of the Hinayana represent the most fundamental instructions of the Buddha, which are central to everything that follows. Hinayana studies, therefore, are basic to any training in Buddhism.
In the Nalandabodhi Path of Study, the foundational curriculum introduces you to Buddhism as a science of mind, or method of investigation. Study is divided into two courses:
The first course (HIN 201) covers the ground or view and the second (HIN 202) covers the foundational path and its results.
This first course in the series, introduces you to the Hinayana as the indispensable foundation of the three-yana system of Buddhist study (Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana). Then you will learn the main elements of the Hinayana view, through a detailed examination of the building blocks of the Buddhist science of mind.
Based on talks by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, these courses are designed for students who have completed the Introduction to Buddhism series at Nalandabodhi, and includes readings available from the Nalanda West bookstore and at nalandastore.com. If you have not taken Introduction to Buddhism and are interested in the current course, please contact philadelphia@nalandabodhi.org.
For more information and to access the Zoom link for this course, please contact philadelphia@nalandabodhi.org
Course Schedule: The course is scheduled to run through early April.
Course Contents: HIN 201 – The Hinayana View
Freedom, Renunciation and the Three Trainings,History, Schools and Main Elements of the Hinayana View (Part 1):
Aspects of the Four Noble Truths and the Five Skandhas
The Main Elements of the Hinayana View (Part 2):
Skandhas, Ayatanas and Dhatus
Dependent Origination (The Nidanas)
Practicum – Analytical Meditation on the 16 Aspects of the Four Noble Truths
The Views of the Vaibhashika and Sautrantika Schools
Course Contents: HIN 202 – The Hinayana Path and Fruition
Setting Out on the Path and the Practice of Nonviolence
Types and Techniques of Buddhist Meditation
Practicum – Analytical Meditation on the Four Reminders
The Foundations, Types, and Obstacles of Shamatha and Vipashyana
Practicum – Analytical Meditation on the Five Skandhas Not Being a Personal Self
The Paths of Shravakas and Pratyekabuddhas (Part 1)
The Paths of Shravakas and Pratyekabuddhas (Part 2)
Date/Time
Date(s) - Sun., February 11, 2024
10:45 am - 11:45 am
