Studying the Words of the Buddha:
A 10-part Exploration of the Middle Length Discourses
The 2,500 year-old Buddhist tradition has its origin in the realization and teachings of the Buddha. To this day the Buddha’s teachings remain relevant as a guide for anyone engaged in Buddhist practice and for anyone who wants to understand the foundation from which all forms of Buddhism have grown.
We are fortunate that a large body of texts survive from the earliest times of Buddhism. Among these, the Pali Canon of the Theravada School preserves the most complete collection of these early texts. To discover what the Buddha himself taught, one must study these texts.
The surviving discourses of the Buddha contain a wealth of teachings on all aspects of Buddhist practice. However, the literary style in which these are presented often makes it difficult for new readers. In order to gain an appreciation of the discourses it is often helpful to be guided by someone who has spent much time investigating them.
This course is being offered as an online course entitled “Readings in Early Buddhist Texts” in September 2011, taught by Gil Fronsdal, PhD, and Nona Olivia, PhD. For more information, including detailed descriptions of this class, registration, and cost, please go to the Institute for Buddhist Studies website.
If you have questions, please contact Nona Olivia at SITBSDean@sati.org.
Audio recordings of past Sutta Study Class offerings
- First Three Discourses – Taught by Richard Shankman
- The Supreme Net - Taught by Andrea Fella
- Fruits of the Contemplative Life – Taught by Gil Fronsdal
- Radical Dharma: The Buddha’s Teachings on Views and Desire – Verses from the Atthaka Vagga – taught by Andrea Fella