Wednesdays, February 25th and March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Cultural Hall
Suggested contribution: $20 Public, $15 Members
Attendees will receive extensive class texts – RSVP so enough copies are available
Description: Dependent arising is a key teaching for understanding the Buddha’s Dharma. Shantideva in his Compendium of Training recommends the study of dependent arising for the development of discriminating insight. Nagarjuna in his Verses on the Root of the Middle Way equates dependent arising with the middle way and emptiness. One of the most quoted sources for the teaching on dependent arising is The Rice Sprout Sutra. We will read a translation of this Sutra accompanied by Kamalashila’s commentary. Kamalashila is an Eighth Century East Indian master who traveled to Tibet. The translation is further annotated using a longer commentary to both the Sutra and a verse commentary. We will read and discuss the Sutra and Kamalashila’s commentary and its annotation, translated by Jeff Schoening. Anyone interested in studying dependent arising is welcome.
Jeffrey Schoening (Upasaka), holds a PhD in Buddhist Studies, and is a longtime member and interpreter at Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. Jeff is the author of The Shalistamba Sutra and Its Indian Commentaries (Vienna 1995), a two-volume study on teachings about dependent arising. He has worked as a health care chaplain and as a private practice spiritual director.